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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 135 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

parallel with the construction of the Gungahlin Drive extension in order to start to build the framework for a sustainable transport system for our city.

So in that respect, the government is in strong agreement with Ms Tucker. For example, Ms Tucker outlines in her motion that the zonal bus fare system should be reviewed so that Gungahlin residents are not forced to cross zonal boundaries and pay double the fare other residents of Canberra who live a similar distance from the city centre, from Civic, may pay.

It is the government's policy to abandon, to remove, the unfair and discriminatory zonal system-a situation which currently forces people who live in outer suburbs of Gungahlin to pay more to catch the bus to Civic than it costs to pay for parking in Civic. That is a grossly unfair and discriminatory situation, and a direct disincentive to catch the bus to get to work in Civic. That is why this government will move to put in place a single fare, time-based fare structure, and why we have already moved to ensure that school students are able to access a flat fare structure for their travel.

Ms Tucker has also outlined the proposal of building a bus-only lane between Gungahlin and the city to make bus travel faster and more attractive for Gungahlin residents. I agree, the government agrees, that improvements to the public transport system are needed and that dedicated bus lanes can achieve a significant improvement in travel times, and therefore this would be an incentive to catch a bus as compared to using your car to get to work. The government will be undertaking a public transport options study to examine best practice in sustainable transport planning, and this will include consideration of the introduction of new technologies such as light rail.

Again, this is Labor's election commitment. It is a policy we went to the election on, a policy we are determined to implement. In relation to the ACTION zonal fare structure and in relation to the dedicated bus lanes and light rail, I anticipate being able to make an announcement early in the new year.

Mr Speaker, in the interests of fairness, Ms Tucker raised a point earlier about listening to debates. I would be grateful if she listened also.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Ms Tucker, Mr Corbell has just reminded me that he would probably like you to listen to his speech.

MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Touche.

MR CORBELL: Exactly, Mr Speaker. Major routes linking the town centres and Civic are key elements of the public transport system and have formed an integral part of Canberra's planning. The new Labor government is committed to sustainable transport planning, supported by an approach to urban development which concentrates on transport corridors and key centres around the city.

The new public transport options study will include a survey of travel behaviour and attitudes to public transport to determine the barriers to its use and the opportunities for strategic improvement. The new government will also assess possible future public

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