Page 93 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2006
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the bike racks on our ACTION buses, and these bike racks are proving to be extremely popular.
After all, this is what is this place is all about. I know that some of those opposite are knee-deep in leadership considerations, but what we need to remember is that government is about delivering services. Government is about the community. I can proudly say that those on this side have never lost sight of this and that is why we are in a position to implement programs such as the successful ACTION bus programs that I have been referring to and the sustainable transport plan. The programs are resonating with the travelling public. Recent customer surveys have shown that 88 per cent of respondents believe ACTION is providing a valuable community service and 86 per cent believe it is doing a good job.
Petrol prices and the state of the global oil market quite evidently are not the only reason Canberrans are turning to public transport. The credit goes to this government, its sustainable transport plan and its effective service delivery, delivered through ACTION. I would like to place on the record my thanks to ACTION staff, those that work behind the scenes and those literally in the front seat—the bus drivers. One could have the best plan in the world, but one also needs those who know how to deliver. Certainly ACTION has the most wonderful reputation for delivering. This government knows how to deliver, and does deliver.
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (10.41): Mr Speaker, the motion moved today by Ms Porter to recognise the demonstrated commitment of the ACT government to the sustainable transport plan leaves much to be desired. The government’s sustainable transport plan, while a document full of information, is a document that shows off the government’s over-zealous attempts to convince the ACT population that transport solutions and improvements are being adequately provided by the Stanhope government.
The commitment the government has demonstrated to this plan is half-hearted. Unfortunately, this government has lost sight of the bigger picture for transport in the ACT, that is to say, improving the efficiency, convenience and, most importantly, the safety of transport for all ACT residents.
One of the main weaknesses in the sustainable transport plan is the absence of set dates by which many of the government’s objectives might be achieved. In that sense it is not really a plan; it is simply a wish list. What the opposition and the public are really concerned about is what the government is actually doing now in terms of providing the day-to-day resources and commitment to improving the services we already have in place.
While the government boasts about the increase in patronage numbers—which, I might add, is probably more to do with the fact that the government is closing down so many car parks around the place than to do with people really wanting to catch the bus—the comfort and safety of our passengers are being compromised. Recently we heard that bus drivers are being assaulted on a regular basis. We also know that security cameras are not installed on many buses. Last year in budget estimates hearings I asked the minister, Mr Corbell, about this very issue and what measures his government was taking to implement safety management measures. The minister confirmed that all new buses
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