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Canberra light rail starts carrying the public on a preview and launch day

On 18 April 2019 light rail began carrying members of the Canberra public along light rail stage one from Gungahlin to Civic. This ‘soft launch’ was also to be a test ahead of the official opening to the public on 20 April. The excited passengers waited at each of the three major stops, boarded and set out for the first trip! Some stayed to observe the political events, but most went excitedly about the rest of their day, after being lucky enough to be on the very first trip on Canberra’s brand new light rail. Several PTCBR members attended and were fortunate to be invited to the launch and the lunch. This post has lots of photos of the days events, and a few links to local media coverage.

What a ride! 25,000 people travel on light rail’s first official day

Canberra was abuzz with excitement as light rail officially launched today with approximately 25,000 people hopping on board for a free ride. The formal event wrapped up at 4pm, but services will continue to operate to timetable, so the total number of passengers on launch day will continue to grow. Ten vehicles were deployed on the day, running 130 trips and covering 1,560 kilometres.

PTCBR Network 19 submission – A new integrated public transport network using light rail and buses to grow Canberra’s public transport patronage

The PTCBR have made a submission on Network 19, the first integrated bus and light rail public transport network in the territories history. The PTCBR support the ACT Governments active transport and public transport programs, including the introduction of light rail and integrated public transport services. With some modifications, the proposed Network will resolve long standing complaints about the local bus network, and build on the success of the rapid bus network, while establishing light rail as the backbone future more frequent local services can connect to. It will enable Canberra to become a compact livable city, that can free itself of car dependence.

Light rail stage two cost announcement welcomed by PTCBR

The PTCBR are pleased that the ACT Government has provided an estimated cost for stage two of Canberra’s light rail network. The cost incorporates design changes likely to be necessary for federal government approval, including a new light rail crossing structure between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, and wire free light rail operation through the Parliamentary Zone. “The indicative cost of between $1.3 and 1.6 billion dollars is not a figure that the Canberra public should be shocked by. It’s a major infrastructure project that a city of our size requires, and can afford.”