Page 3565 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 20 November 2007
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community services. The beneficiaries of this initiative are ACT seniors and people isolated in our regional community through lack of transport options, such as people with a disability, new migrants and people who may be temporarily unable to move easily in their community. Six wheelchair accessible minibuses will be provided, one to each of the six regional community service organisations. The on-demand minibus service will be operated by these organisations.
This government, the Stanhope Labor government, has listened to the Canberra community expressing its need to provide a more flexible service. The community on-demand service initiative will fill an existing gap in the transport system, thereby providing an alternative, affordable and flexible transport option for the territory’s senior citizens. ACTION will be working closely with the regional community service organisations and the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services to introduce this fantastic new service. This initiative will complement ACTION’s improved network service proposal for non-peak services. Following the procurement process, it is proposed to introduce this on-demand service in early 2008.
To support the government’s climate change strategy initiative of free travel to bike users using bike racks, the government will also provide $70,000 for ACTION. A further 55 racks will be purchased to ensure greater service reliability of its bike rack-equipped buses on the intertown 300 series services. The initiative of free travel for bike users is proposed to commence on 1 December 2007. I have to say at this point that I think I might actually try to use that service myself at least once. I will see how I go after that one time. I am not sure whether I will be able to walk after riding into town.
Mr Hargreaves: I want to see it. You can catch the bus back.
MS MacDONALD: Yes, I will catch the bus back and take my bike with me. These major transport improvements are consistent with the government’s sustainable transport plan and the objective of increasing the modal share of public transport. The installation of CCTV is also consistent with the intergovernmental agreement on surface transport security. These recently announced investments are a testament to this government’s ongoing commitment to the ACT’s public transport system and a tangible demonstration of the priority that this government places on efficient, sustainable transport options for this community.
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (3.33): I have decided to give Ms MacDonald the award for the greatest amount of spin seen this side of the black stump. I stand to talk on this very, very important matter of public importance—public transport. It is very, very important that we have an effective, efficient, safe, clean, comfortable, convenient public transport system here in the ACT. We all know—at least we should all know, and the opposition certainly believes it—that it is very, very important that we do the best we possibly can to attract ACT drivers out of their cars and into a public transport system.
That is why I stand here today to criticise the government. Ms MacDonald’s speech indicating how wonderful and gorgeous things are really needs to be heavily criticised. I have just seen the greatest example of exaggerated spin since last Friday night when
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