The Public Transport Association of Canberra looks forward to Canberras first integrated public transport timetable
Transport Canberra today released the first integrated light rail and bus timetable for Canberra, which will commence in late April when light rail is also operational. The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) are looking forward to its introduction, and its potential to increase access to public transport by more Canberrans than the current network.
PTCBR Chair Damien Haas said that “The benefits of the new network are in its greater reach, its complete redesign to take in newer suburbs, later running, much earlier starts, and extended Sunday evening services. The extended Sunday services will also benefit major events in Canberra held on public holidays, where many bus services finished at around 7PM.”
“The negatives include cuts to some areas such as to the Belconnen CIT, the ANU, the free City Loop.”
“There is also a continuing lack of integration with Queanbeyan where a simple extension of a rapid service into Queanbeyans main street could help both cities.” Mr Haas said.
Some areas are no longer served by buses as the stop distance has been increased from 400 metres to in some instances 800 metres. The PTCBR hope to see a rapid rollout of new bus stops with improved facilities such as covered shelters, realtime information displays and the ability for passengers to depart from the front and rear bus doors.
The PTCBR would also like to see future public transport links into Queanbeyan and nearby regional towns in NSW such as Googong, Jerrabomberra, Yass, Goulburn and Murrumbateman.
Mr Haas said that “Overall, the benefits far outweigh the negatives and as future stages of light rail are delivered, more bus kilometers will be released to increase local bus frequency. Passengers like the rapid bus network and frequency, and patronage in this area has driven the further development of rapid routes.”
The increased passenger capacity and frequency of light rail will be welcome on the Gungahlin rapid route, where rapid buses were no longer able to cope with passenger numbers experienced during peak hours.
Mr Haas also said that “The new network is a radical departure from decades old bus routes that Canberrans have become used to, and this will cause some disruption in peoples routines as they adjust to the new network. The benefits of more frequent rapid buses and light rail will become obvious as passengers get used to the new network”.
“The PTCBR were pleased to see Transport Canberra respond to feedback from the community and restore services to Hume and Campbell Park, and woudl like to see a similar limited service restored to Fairbairn, the ANU and the Bruce CIT.”
On the need to change buses to complete journeys, Mr Haas said that “While some passengers will need to change buses to get onto a rapid bus or light rail, to complete a journey, the increased frequency will mean that their overall journey times may be shorter than present.”
We encourage all passengers to look at the new timetable and routes, take advantage of the free month of bus and light rail use, and let Transport Canberra know how the new network works for them, and how it can be improved in the future.
The PTCBR expect that Transport Canberra will fine tune some parts of the network, in response to passenger feedback. Mr Haas said that he looked forward to stepping off a local bus and onto light rail at the end of April.
Damien Haas is the Chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra, the Canberra regions peak public transport users lobby group.
MEDIA RELEASE from the PUBLIC TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OF CANBERRA – AUTHORISED FOR PUBLICATION by D.C. Haas
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) welcomes Labors 200 million dollar commitment to light rail
The Federal Labor party today committed 200 million dollars to the Woden to Civic light rail project, if it is elected in the May federal election. Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten MP made the funding committment at a media function at the Alinga St light rail terminal on March 12 with the Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris and ALP Candidate Alicia Payne in attendance.
The PTCBR are pleased at this announcement, and welcome the support by the federal Labor party for a territory public transport project, especially as the light rail will serve the building that the federal Parliament sits in, and the 12 thousand workers in the Parliamentary zone.
“Considering the minimal support to date from the Australian Government to a public transport project that would benefit them, it is incredibly pleasing to see a different attitude towards Canberra and its public transport needs, from a party vying for government”. Damien Haas, Chair of the PTCBR said today. “It’s also great to see a funding announcement for public transport, instead of another road project”.
“Just as important as the funding announcement, is the political support for the light rail project, that may require parliamentary approval if the Barton deviation is chosen instead of the State Circle option. The Barton deviation would require endorsement by the NCA and both houses of parliament.”
“A change of government may also make the National Capital Authority (NCA) easier to negotiate with if it knew the federal parliament was amenable to either route.”
Mr Haas went on to say that “When the Woden to Civic light rail project is completed, the road congestion and parking conflict that the area experiences whenever a major event such as Enlighten is held, will be radically improved. Light rail will provide fast, safe and comfortable access to not just the workplaces in Parkes and Barton, but the national attractions that locals and all Australians visit that area for.
Mr Haas said that the PTCBR look forward to other candidates for the federal election announcing their policies on public transport as soon as possible, so that voters could make an informed decision.
Damien Haas is the Chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra, the Canberra regions peak public transport users lobby group.
Canberra Metro Mitchell Depot light rail vehicle railyard.
Canberra Metro hosted a small media function on Friday march 1st to show off the completed Mitchell light rail depot that will house the first fourteen light rail vehicles (LRV’s) for Canberras light rail network. Located in Mitchell, about half way along the route, the light rail depot contains a control centre, a workshop, offices, cleaning facilities and a rail yard. It has taken 31 months from sod turning to becoming fully operational (although it has been used as a workshop for around a year).
The light rail control centre has realtime monitoring of LRV’s, and of the CCTV on the vehicles and at stations along the line. All vehicles are monitored, and their location along the network can be observed from several different types of linked software. LRV operating parameters can also be monitored. Audio messages can be made to one or all vehicles from the control centre. Intersections along the route are also under CCTV monitoring, so any collisions can be monitored, and emergency vehicles despatched.
At the media event, Minister Meegan Fitzharris MLA said that she was confident that light rail operations would commence in April. There will be a free weekend of public transport across Canberra (I think this means that light rail will commence on a Saturday) when this occurs.
Canberra Metro CEO Glenn Stockton discussed the regulatory approvals process, saying he was confident that the light rail route would gain approval for a late April commencement of operation.
Between now and the opening date, the ACT Government and Canberra Metro (who have built the network) must sign off on contractual requirements. In addition the federal government regulator must sign off on the licence to operate an electrical network, and accreditation to operate a passenger railway.
Canberra Metro operations has received a rebranding and will be known as CMET. Some of the customer relations staff attending the opening, had CMET branding on their clothes.
The media covered the opening and the announcement that new traffic arrangement around light rail and road intersections now apply.
The following photos of the Depot including the Control Centre, were taken on March 1st 2019.
Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris talking to media representatives covering the Depot openingCanberra Metro CEO Glenn Stockton talking to media representatives covering the Depot openingCanberra Metro operations are rebranding to CMETCanberra Metro operations control centre at the Mitchell Depot
View from the control centre of the entrance and exit from the Mitchell light rail depot to Flemington Rd. Thats a large substation and in front of that is the track into and out of the workshop area.That large cylinder is a sand tower. Sand is used in the braking system to enhance friction between steel wheels and steel tracks, in an emergency. The building next to the carpark is the backup control centre. In the background the railyard, that houses the 14 light rail vehicles in our current fleet.The light rail workshopThe light rail workshopBehind the LRV is the washing shed. All LRV’s will be washed, before being stabled for the night.A map of the track inside the Mitchell LRV Depot showing the exit onto Flemington Rd
This shunter moves LRV’s in and out of the workshop. It can be operated by a person walking alongside it with a remote control.In the background the LRV fleet in its railyard. Future plans include covering the yard, and expanding it (to the right) when the LRV fleet expands for future stages.
Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris MLA today released the ‘Moving Canberra 2019-2045 Integrated Transport Strategy‘ policy paper. This is open for consultation into the New Year. The PTCBR will host a public meeting in early 2019 devoted to this.
The media release accompanying the release of the strategy is here:
Autonomous vehicle trials, better walking and cycling infrastructure and faster rail to Sydney are all part of an updated ACT transport strategy, released for public comment today.
The Moving Canberra 2019-2045 Integrated Transport Strategy considers how to deliver a vision for Canberra’sfuture transport experience that is modern, sustainable, integrated and provides real alternatives to driving.
“We need to keep improving and innovating our transport network to ensure Canberra continues to be one of the world’s most liveable cities,” Minister for Transport Meegan Fitzharris said.
“We’re getting ready for a city which will be home to 500,000 people by 2030, so to protect our liveability we need transport networks that provide genuine alternatives to the car.
“This updated transport strategy builds on recent achievements including commencing construction on the first stage of light rail and building a bigger and better bus network, and it outlines the strategic policies that will underpin our future transport needs.”
The Strategy complements the recently released ACT Planning Strategy and outlines a number of possible actions over the short, medium and long term. It is also underpinned by an ACT Movement and Place Framework, which will ensure we deliver transport solutions for all road users and communities.
Some of the actions the Strategy looks at include:
setting aside land for high speed rail to Sydney;
reducing pollution from cars, buses and trucks;
separating walking and cycling paths;
undertaking further autonomous vehicle trials;
moving to a cashless public transport system;
conducting a review of bike share; and
undertaking a pre-feasibility study of proposed future light rail alignments.
“The Strategy includes some bold actions for us to consider into the future, and also reaffirms a number of commitments the Government has already made to ensure our city is better connected.
“It’s important to recognise that a number of the action items within the Strategy fall across several different Government portfolios and will also depend on cooperation with the community, industry and other stakeholders to deliver the best outcome.
“That’s why we have now opened the Strategy up for a period of consultation, so people can provide input and we can ensure the Strategy reflects a shared commitment to better transport for Canberra,” Minister Fitzharris added.
The Strategy is now open for consultation. Following consultation an implementation plan will be developed.
The Public Transport Association of Canberra, Annual General Meeting for 2018 will be held on:
Date: Tuesday December 18
Time: 5.30-7PM.
Venue: Griffin Centre in Civic.
The AGM
At the AGM, all committee positions will be declared vacant and nominations sought from financial PTCBR members. Nominations close on Sunday 16 December. If there is only one nomination for a position, that person will be elected to that position. If there is more than one nominee, an election will be held.
Public Meeting
Following the AGM, there will be a public meeting. Two speakers have been invited to present on topics of interest to our members:
Tilo Franz – Canberra Metro – Light Rail operations
Pam Nelson – TCCS – Light Rail Stage Two
The Committee hope you can attend the AGM and Public Meeting, and thank you for your support in the last year. 2019 will be a big year in integrated public transport in Canberra. Light rail stage one will commence, and a completely redesigned bus network will be introduced.
All members of the public and financial members of the PTCBR are invited to attend. Only financial members can vote at the AGM.
Dickson bus interchange with light rail construction on Northbourne Ave
Every year the ACT Government invites the public and community groups to tell them what they would like to see the Government allocate funds to over the next year. It’s an excellent opportunity for our association, representing the users of public transport in Canberra, to let the Government know what we expect. Over the last month or so, the Committee of the PTCBR have prepared our submission, and it has also helped shape our organisations priorities for the next year.
In our budget submission this year we have asked for a split between making the passenger experience better, and strategic transport planning for the future. We have also asked that the iconic Canberra bunker bus shelter receive heritage listing!
Our recommendations are summarised below, and you can read them in full at the link to the full submission. We will be following up our submission with lobbying of our elected representatives, and speaking to Transport Canberra and ACT Government planners. Much has been achieved in several years, but there is much more to do as we convince Canberrans to use public transport, and make the passenger experience better for those that do now.
Recommendations for ACT Government transport spending by the PTCBR
PTCBR ask for a rebalancing of the transport component of the ACT Budget with a 50 percent split between new road construction and new public transport infrastructure, until all light rail routes identified in the 2016 Light Rail Network Plan have been completed.
Extending the peak hour for weekday bus services until at least 6.30 PM.
Park and Ride expansion with Smart Parking technology and real time bus passenger information screens.
Passenger Counter Barometer used to generate a near real-time light rail and bus passenger barometer at the Civic Interchange.
Improved use of data and analytics to plan future services. PTCBR recommend that this be expanded and include data related to commercial and residential land use.
All data used for transport planning be anonymised and made available for the public to analyse and offer solutions.
New ticketing technology implemented as soon as possible. The ‘ticket’ used need not be a plastic card at all and could perhaps be linked to an account for micro transactions taken directly from an account holders credit or debit card using RFID technology.
A MyWay chip that could be used in a bracelet, implanted into the body or placed into a reaching wand (used by people with a disability) .
A coordinated ACT and NSW Government approach to cross-border public transport
A nationally unified electronic public transport ticketing with a single balance be explored.
A unified ticketing and fare model applied to bus companies in regional NSW towns with the potential to access Canberra.
Updating the Light Rail Network Plan to account for significant changes to Canberra’s urban form.
Consultation and reference groups for the Territory and Canberra Transport Plan
Workplace cultural reform within the ACTION workforce that can provide best practice workplace training on customer relations and passenger interactions.
A multi-year benchmarking exercise involving the use of private sector operators to determine the cost and effectiveness of Transport Canberra bus operation relative to the performance of operators in other Australian jurisdictions. The future rapid corridor between Weston Creek, Molonglo and Belconnen would appear ideal for such an exercise, while also addressing known gaps in coverage.
Toll roads for new parkways, including roads into and out of the ACT.
Congestion based charging for private vehicle use in areas with significant transport and parking challenges.
Replacing registration fees with distance based charges
Commence construction as soon as practicable on light rail to Woden and Belconnen
Preparatory work for future light rail network extensions
Planning for National Capital Plan variations with amendments reflecting the adoption of light rail technology for intertown mass transit.
Establishing a skills base for future light rail construction so a construction program can be forecast a decade out.
On-demand and flexible bus service expansion to satisfy and grow demand.
A common software booking platform for all providers of community buses in use around Canberra
Planning for a new railway station in Central or North Canberra
Restoring the City Loop bus services
A city free fare zone on light rail and bus services for MyWay Card Holders.
Restoring the National Institution Tourist oriented bus services
Merging of Rapid Routes 6 and 7 to create a South Canberra/Weston Creek Loop
Coordinated on-demand and last mile transport services for out of hours or rarely used suburban routes.
Active Travel only streets around town and significant group centres
All future retail/commercial centres have shared zones planned as a priority, to avoid retrofitting a decade or more later.
Installing more real time information displays at bus interchanges and Park and Ride sites.
Conduct a study of school holiday bus services to Stromlo Forest Park
Improve public transport in the Molonglo Valley by extending the northbound bus “jump” lanes along the length of the Cotter Road between John Gorton Drive and Kirkpatrick Street, and fast-track the construction of the proposed high-level bridge across the Molonglo River.
All bus stops covered and have bicycle storage or loops for securing bicycles.
Heritage listing for Canberra’s iconic Clem Cummings designed ‘bunker’ shelters
Locating local and rapid bus stops closer together where they intersect, or to provide clear signage for passengers willing to walk between closely located local and rapid bus stops.
The PTCBR are committed to lobbying the ACT, NSW and Federal Government for better public transport services for passengers that use the service now, and encourage all Canberrans to sample the improved services being delivered.
Light rail will commence service in early 2019 and will provide a huge impetus in encouraging the shift away from car dependence in Canberra. The radical Network 19 changes to the bus network, creating a system of shorter local loops and more rapid bus and light rail services, is a major step in encouraging more people to use public transport.
The ACT Government are revisiting the ‘Transport for Canberra’ plan in 2019 and the PTCBR will be ensuring that the users of public transport have a strong say in how our future public transport needs will be addressed. The submission we have made to this years ACT Budget provides a strong indication of our lobbying priorities.
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) has welcomed today’s release of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories’ (JSCNET) report on Commonwealth and Parliamentary approvals for the proposed stage 2 of the ACT light rail project, arguing that the report provides much-needed certainty around the second stage of Canberra’s most important infrastructure project.
The PTCBR made a submission to this inquiry and gave evidence at a public hearing earlier in the year, addressing the heritage and approvals process.
“We are happy see the committee make a number of common-sense recommendations around the design and approvals processes for light rail stage 2” Mr Damien Haas, Chair of the PTCBR said.
“The timely release of the committee’s report means that the ACT Government can get on with the job of delivering the crucial next stage of Canberra’s city-shaping light rail network”.
The six recommendations made in the JSCNET report cover a range of issues, including heritage, urban design and approvals processes. Recommendation 2 of the report outlines a two-stage Commonwealth approval process for light rail stage 2, involving:
An amendment to the National Capital Plan; and
NCA Works Approval and other Commonwealth approval processes, including Parliamentary Approval.
The PTCBR agrees with the committee that this is the most appropriate way forward, and will continue to strongly advocate for light rail stage 2 throughout the remainder of the public consultation processes.
Mr Haas said “Importantly the Committees report means that the NCA and the ACT Government can resume working on a light rail route through the Parliamentary Zone that can serve the people of Canberra, service national institutions and satisfy heritage concerns.”
“When people visiting Canberra in future years travel by light rail to visit the nations treasured institutions, they will be more able to appreciate how beautiful our capital is, than focusing on the road and looking for a carparking space.”
The PTCBR look forward to the next steps for light rail stage two:
the Governments response to the report
a route through the Parliamentary Zone being identified by the NCA and ACT Government,
a National Capital Plan amendment prepared, and
the business case for Woden to Civic light rail finalised,
followed by work commencing on extending our light rail network.
Damien Haas is the Chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra, the regions peak public transport lobby group representing Canberra’s public transport users.
Minister Fitzharris just before local journalists asked her questions about Network 19
In 2019 Canberra will have its first integrated public transport network with light rail and rapid buses forming a mass transit backbone with more frequent local services linking to the rapid bus/light rail. It is a significant and radical change to Canberras public transport experience and has been subject to extensive route design, and community consultation (see details here).
Transport Minster Meegan Fitzharris MLA today released the final route design for Network 19, following an extensive community consultation program. This updated route design is based on extensive community consultation, and incorporates additional local and rapid routes that were not in the earlier version. Work is continuing on the timetable that will be used in this network, and is expected to be complete in December, now that the network has been finalised.
Media coverage of the announcement has largely been based on detail from the media release (below), A local newspaper reported the announcement with a focus on the changed school services (here). City News had a short article mentioning that timetables were yet to be released “Commuters wait to see full timetable” (here).
PTCBR assessment of the finalised Network 19
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) are pleased that Transport Canberra have reacted to community consultation and made sensible changes in local services and rapid bus routes.
Restoring the Tuggeranong/Woden/Civic/Belconnen rapid bus is sensible, especially give strong patronage by University of Canberra students.
The addition of new local loops in Belconnen, extra stops in Gungahlin and extra Molonglo services are sensible.
Addressing Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo patronage demands and responding to feedback to finetune the local routes in each area (see more from transport Canberra here).
Extra peak services from south Tuggeranong will replace Xpresso services, and better serve all commuters.
A seven day network with consistent weekday and weekend numbering is welcome, and long overdue.
Extended Sunday services running to 10 PM are very welcome.
Installing new bus stops and expanding local service near schools has removed the need for some dedicated school bus services (and over time more school children will have the advantage of using the regular bus network).
Further work needed
Further work needs to be done on establishing better connections between the rapid routes and local services where they overlap or run adjacent to each other.
A rapid bus connection into Queanbeyan should be made a priority of the ACT and NSW Governments.
Dropping service to places like Hume, Alexander Maconochie Centre, Fairbairn and Campbell Park need to supported with a proper expansion of on-demand and flexible bus services.
Overall, the new integrated public transport network is a massive change and will take some getting used to by passengers used to the local bus services meandering around their suburbs. It may take some time before the changes are fully appreciated. By not releasing timetable information during consultation, people have looked at the changes and used their current experience and frequency and applied it to the new routes (even though local services are expected to increase in frequency).
This network is going to be a strong builder of public transport patronage based around light rail and more frequent buses. It is the modal shift Canberra has needed.
After extensive community consultation, Canberra’s updated public transport network was released today to give Canberrans more buses, more often, seven days a week.
Minister for Transport Meegan Fitzharris said a number of changes have been made to the new network, which will be complemented by a range of services to support commuters thanks to the community’s suggestions.
“The new network of buses and light rail will make it easier for Canberrans to get where they want to go, offering a genuine alternative to driving, seven days a week,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“This is all about making Canberra better connected and getting more people on public transport so we can secure Canberra’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities as our population continues to grow.
“The ACT Government has already committed $43 million for the addition of 80 new buses to our network. In addition, we will be investing in new infrastructure and more customer service officers to make our public transport network even more convenient for Canberrans.”
“And to get more people using public transport, I’m excited to say we will be providing a month of free travel on the new network for MyWay card users.”
Minister Fitzharris thanked the community for getting involved in the consultation, which saw more than 13,000 pieces of feedback received.
“This was genuine consultation, and as a result we have made changes to a number of routes. I acknowledge the new network will involve changes for some users, but we need to strike a balance which makes public transport as attractive as possible to all people, including both new and existing passengers.”
Changes following consultation
Through the feedback, people told us they wanted changes to some of the proposed routes and we’ve made 37 changes across the 58 routes in the regular network and added an additional 78 school services following consultation on network.
“For example, we have extended a proposed Rapid service from Tuggeranong to Belconnen, instead of just the City to ensure people travelling from Tuggeranong to Belconnen don’t need to change buses,” said Minister Fitzharris.
“We’ll also add direct local connections to Woden from Weston Creek, provide better coverage in south-west Belconnen, and add new peak bus routes from the south of Tuggeranong.”
The community told us they supported a high frequency, seven-day network of turn up-and-go rapid buses – and under the updated network almost six out of 10 Canberrans will live in walking distance of a rapid bus stop.
There will be services at least every 15 minutes along 10 Rapid transport corridors from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, continuing into the evening with less frequency. Sunday and public holiday service times will also be extended to 10pm.
Simpler access to information was also a theme in the consultation, which is why we’ll have a new electronic journey planning system to help people plan their public transport trips.
Changes to school services following consultation
Parents and other bus users asked for more help and supervision at interchanges to make changing buses easier and feel safer. As a result, new Customer Service Officers will help school children and adults alike become familiar with using interchanges and improve signage.
In addition to improving the regular bus network, which school students are currently most likely to use, the updated network also includes 78 more dedicated school services than in the initial consultation to help students get to school.
“We’ve heard what parents, teachers and students have said and we will also recruit a specialist schools liaison to ensure buses continue to meet schools’ needs,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“Currently the overwhelming majority of students don’t use the bus at all to get to school, so we hope this combination of the improved regular network and school-only services will encourage more young people to start using the bus and continue to be bus users after they graduate.
“Parents, students and schools asked us for more comprehensive information about the new services to schools, so today we’ve published school-by-school information detailing services that will get kids to school before the bell and take them home again.”
Further improvements still to come
Following the consultation, the ACT Government has committed to provide free travel for one month on the new network, as well as deliver more customer service officers, more school crossing supervisors, improved infrastructure around schools and better information to help people navigate the new network.
“As part of the consultation the community asked us to improve infrastructure and customer service,” said Minister Fitzharris.
“We will invest in more customer service officers, and soon start installing new electronic ticket machines at interchanges. We will also improve footpaths around schools as part of the Active Streets for Schools program.
“The ACT Government has also committed to increasing and renewing the Transport Canberra bus fleet, with our new blue buses increasingly visible on our roads. The growth of the fleet will be possible through the recommissioning of the Woden Bus Depot, adding to the current Belconnen and Tuggeranong sites.
“With the network now settled, the team at Transport Canberra will finalise the bus timetable before the end of the year to give Canberrans a clear idea of how they’ll get around in 2019,” Minister Fitzharris said.
A full timetable will be published later in the year before the network starts in early 2019.
Canberrans will be encouraged to provide ongoing feedback to Transport Canberra through the Transport Canberra website to help continuously improve the timetable and network more broadly.
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) are pleased that the ACT Government and Transport Planners have studied the 13000 pieces of feedback received through community consultation and announced changes. It’s a clear demonstration that effective community consultation can work well. We expect that other announcements arising out of this consultation will show the public that genuine concerns will be listened to.
PTCBR believe that Transport Canberra need to act on not just feedback, but actual evidence. Todays announcement (the Ministers media release is below) about restoring school services from 250 to around 240 dedicated school services (around 100 were proposed for Network 19) is a pragmatic decision, but one that needs to be revisited in the future as an expanded light rail and rapid bus network makes public transport quicker and more accessible for more Canberrans.
In the school bus discussion many bizarre claims about the public transport network have been made in an attempt to justify dedicated school buses. Transport planners need to make decisions based on data not anecdata. The public transport network is safe, and the interchanges are safe. Isolated incidents are not evidence of patterns. All passengers, including school age children travel through our transport interchanges every day in their tens of thousands, with few incidents occurring. There is more likelihood of a kid being bullied in a school bus than on a regular bus leaving an interchange, where Canberrans would call inappropriate behaviour out straight away.
“The ACT government has signalled a partial back down on sweeping cuts to school bus services proposed under its new public transport network, following backlash from principals and parents over student safety.”
School services impact local bus frequency
Adding around 100 dedicated school bus services back in to the school network takes those buses out of the peak hour fleet, and that will have an effect on local and rapid bus service frequency in Network 19. This is not the best outcome. It would be better for parents to raise independent children, confident enough to travel on a regular bus. PTCBR hope that over time the dedicated school bus service can be reduced, with more frequent local bus services near schools.
Transport Canberra advise PTCBR that patronage reviews on school services will be conduced annually, and that many of the school services that have been restored from the initial Network 19 proposal, have been altered with shorter trips and more direct school services.
Converting school service passengers to regular bus service passengers
If a parent chooses to live in one town centre and send their children to a school on the other side of town, that is a decision they have taken, and they shouldn’t complain about the travel time, and it especially precious to complain about losing a dedicated school bus. They can always send their child to a local school, that they could walk or ride a bike to.
Ultimately the PTCBR understand that if its a choice between a parent driving a child to school, or using a dedicated school bus, the bus is a better option, but we hope that over time as the regular bus service improves, parents will have the confidence in their children and the bus network, to let them travel with the other 60% of school children that travel to school on a regular bus every day.
The PTCBR await further announcements arising from the recently concluded community consultation around Network 19 and look forward to the introduction of an integrated bus and light rail transport network in 2019, that will transform Canberra.
Key insights arising from community consultation on Network 19
Media release from TCCS Minister Meegan Fitzharris dated 20 September 2018
Community feedback on bus network to help make CBR better connected
The extensive bus consultation undertaken from June to August this year has heard that Canberrans support more frequent bus services that run into the evenings and on weekends and they want to feel safe when using public transport.
More than 13,000 pieces of feedback over a two month consultation period were received to help Transport Canberra shape its new network of more buses, more often, seven days a week according to a new Listening Report released today.
People also detailed a number of concerns about changes that were proposed to individual routes, as well as changes to Xpresso services and dedicated school bus services.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to our extensive consultation process on the new network.
“Currently only 8% of people are using our buses and this needs to change. Our new bus network will be designed to encourage greater public transport use as our city grows.
“Today I’ve released a high level Listening Report, which highlights the themes and feedback received during the consultation process.
“From this consultation, we heard people support more frequent buses and services that run into the evenings and on weekends. They told us they want to feel safe when using public transport and had questions about some students having to change buses on their way to school. People said they want more information on how the buses will run and an improved journey planner.
“Xpresso users provided feedback about changes to the services they use, and there were a large proportion of comments on individual services.
“My message to people is that we have heard your concerns and we are making changes to help ensure the network works for as many people as possible. While we can’t make changes to everything, we will do our best to balance the different views of existing users while developing a network which will attract new users.
“The full details of the changes we will make following this consultation will be announced in October, with ongoing discussions with a number of groups,” said Minister Fitzharris.
The ACT government wants more people to use public transport. At the moment only 4% of trips around our city are on public transport, compared to 78% by private vehicles.
Improving our public transport will help secure Canberra’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities as our population continues to grow.
“As the new network is introduced we will continue to monitor feedback to help Canberrans use the new network.
“Once the new timetables are released later this year, Transport Canberra will embark on an education campaign to inform the community about the changes and how to plan their routes and access public transport ahead of the new network launch in early 2019,” Minister Fitzharris said.
ACT Planning map showing John Gorton Drive light rail in the suburb of Whitlam
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) are pleased that provision for a future light rail route has been included in the plans for two of the Molonglo Valley’s key arterial roads.
The recently released design documents for John Gorton Drive Stage 3B show a planned light rail route running in the median of John Gorton Drive north of the Molonglo River. The route then heads east along a planned extension of Bindubi Street, with a stop near the intersection servicing the planned residential estate of Whitlam.
This is the first instance of light rail being a key influence in the design of infrastructure in the Molonglo Valley.
“The Molonglo Valley has been designed around an ‘urban boulevard’ concept and is therefore ideally suited to a future light rail route,” PTCBR Committee Member Ryan Hemsley said.
“As a long-time resident of Weston Creek and a current resident of Molonglo, I look forward to seeing how the future stages of John Gorton Drive and Bindubi Street incorporate provisions for a light rail route to service our growing district”.
The draft concept plan shows three stops servicing the future suburbs of Molonglo Valley Stage 3
A draft concept plan included in the documentation shows three stops servicing the future suburbs of Molonglo Valley Stage 3. The route shown is largely consistent with the planned Woden to City via Weston Creek and Molonglo route outlined in the 2016 Light Rail Network Plan.
Civic – Molonglo – Weston Creek – Woden route shown in the ACT Governments Light Rail Master Plan from 2016
Both the PTCBR and its predecessor, ACT Light Rail, have long argued for light rail in the Molonglo Valley.
ACT Government population estimates have the Molonglo Valley growing by over 500% between 2016 and 2020. In this year alone, nine development applications for multi-unit sites in Denman Prospect have been lodged with the planning directorate.
The PTCBR believes that light rail will be a critical part of Molonglo’s infrastructure mix if it is to avoid many of the road congestion problems that have plagued Gungahlin.
The Public Transport Association of Canberra, Annual General Meeting for 2018 will be held on:
The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) has welcomed today’s release of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories’ (JSCNET) report on Commonwealth and Parliamentary approvals for the proposed stage 2 of the ACT light rail project, arguing that the report provides much-needed certainty around the second stage of Canberra’s most important infrastructure project.
