Page 389 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2012
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implement T2 / T3 lanes without detriment to bus journey times /priority along a corridor.
On a six lane road there is a likelihood of a marginal impact arising from the conversion of a bus lane to a T2 lane. On an 8 lane road there is a high risk that the conversion of a bus lane to a T2 lane would adversely impact the performance of buses, however there would be no impact from the conversion to a T3 lane.
It goes on to say, and this is the important bit:
Despite the analysis showing … journey times would be impacted marginally with the implementation of Transit Lanes on six and eight lane corridors which does not align wholly with the policy objectives above, consideration would need to be given to the level of impact and delay expected as it is possible that vehicle occupancy rates and overall corridor efficiency would significantly improve, thus meeting some of the objectives set out in the Transport for Canberra document.
Isn’t that interesting? They can try and spin it, and she can selectively quote till the cows come home, but at the end of the day the consultants’ report actually backs up what the Liberals announced on Monday. It also backs up what the Liberals initiated in this place in November last year at the request of the community. The community wants to be able to get from A to B as efficiently as possible. In many instances, having two, three or four people in a private motor vehicle would not only be the most efficient but also the most environmentally friendly way of transferring from one destination to another.
This report is one that you can rest assured we will be quoting from in the future. I very much thank the ACT government for providing the Canberra Liberals with further information to support our position, which is so longed for by the community.
Canberra was invented for the car. The car was the backbone of Walter Burley Griffin’s vision for this city, and we have to accept that. There will always be a role for public transport; however, the car is going to be an essential means of transport for the vast majority of Canberrans for a long time.
It is for that reason that the Canberra Liberals support the conversion of the Barry Drive bus lane to a T2 and also support keeping a T2 lane in Adelaide Avenue.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (5.29): I do not know what Mr Coe does not understand about this report but I simply draw his attention to the preliminary evaluation of Barry Drive on page 3 of the executive summary. It is very clear in what it says about Barry Drive. Unfortunately, Mr Coe does not seem to be interested in the evidence. In the morning peak hour on Barry Drive, the report concludes—
Members interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Just a moment. Excuse me, Mr Corbell. Could we have a little less conversation across the room and let Mr Corbell speak.
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