Page 1363 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 2021
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Canberra. It is one of the key ways that we can help improve access to public transport for all Canberrans and hopefully grow patronage over time.
As the member is well aware, we have been in the market to procure a new ticketing system. We went out to an open market tender and we were then involved in a single source procurement process. As we did not receive value for money, we are now going out to the market again, but we are doing so on the basis of a change in the scope, which I have outlined as part of the transport recovery plan.
We will be looking at maintaining ticket-free transport in relation to the new ticketing system, which will mean that hopefully we will be able to attract a greater number of providers, including some potential local providers, to provide the ticketing system. That process is underway. We will start with the market sounding and then we will move through other stages of the procurement process. But, yes, we are still on target to meet a transition in 2023. It is a major transition and one that we hope will enable us to grow public transport patronage in future.
Roads—Boboyan Road
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. I have received complaints about the poor condition of the unsealed section of Boboyan Road, which connects Canberra to Adaminaby and the Snowy Mountains. The road is becoming increasingly popular as more Canberrans discover it as a shortcut to the Snowy Mountains and interstate visitors from the Snowys discover the same. I am advised that due to heavy rainfall in recent months some ACT sections are in the worst condition they have ever been in and have become quite dangerous. Minister, what procedures do you have in place to ensure that Canberra’s rural roads are safe and fit for purpose?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. We are committed to making sure that our roads are accessible and well maintained. We are undertaking on various regional roads some upgrades. That includes a range of roads that have recently been affected by recent storm damage as well. Those roads have been assessed where necessary. I am aware that there are some issues on Boboyan Road that needed to be assessed and repairs will be made. Certain sections of our rural roads will be sealed, and we have a program to undertake that over a period of time.
MR PARTON: Minister, as you have just indicated that you are aware of the problems on Boboyan Road, will you commit to properly repairing this road as a matter of urgency?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question. We, of course, will undertake necessary repairs with a priority on safety. Going forward, we also are undertaking a range of upgrades to our rural roads. We’ve recently had correspondence in relation to the Smith Road, where we of course committed to undertake small levels of resealing over time on the non-sealed sections. We continue to look at what improvements we can make to our rural roads. We have had work underway with assessments on Brindabella Road out west of Stromlo as well, which is looking at cyclist safety and improvements to safety on those roads as well. We will continue to implement those
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