Page 415 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 17 February 2015
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way to the CBD. With the frequency of taxi use to increase to an average of one or two taxis per week, the annual taxi cost would amount to $1,263 and $2,526 respectively. That is still saving a household several thousand dollars per year. There is a range of information on the methodology there, which I am happy to provide to members if they are interested.
Similar research was released at the beginning of this year by the Australasian Railways Association which found Canberrans could save up to $9,000 annually by travelling by bus instead of cars. It said the introduction of light rail was expected to further increase savings. The head of the Australasian Railways Association emphasised—
Mr Coe: By replacing the Red Rapid bus?
MR RATTENBURY: You take it up with the association, Mr Coe, if you have got a problem with their methodology. The head of the association emphasised the introduction of light rail would see Canberrans provided with a second public transport alternative that would integrate into the ACTION bus network and provide greater mobility and accessibility to residents, making the ability to shift from private vehicle to public transport more feasible.
I cite these figures because they are research that people have actually bothered to do. They are not glib slogans that you come into this place with and go, “Oh, the government’s terrible; it’s doing these things.” It actually underlines the fact that we are being serious about investing in public transport and having a different vision for this city, instead of consigning people to the exclusive use of the private motor vehicle. Talking about exclusive use, people will still need cars in this city and they will continue to use them, but the figures I have cited today talk about the necessity of second or third vehicles. These are very real savings for Canberra households. That is the observation I am trying to make.
I am sure that some of my colleagues across the chamber will get up shortly and verbal the comments I have just made, but these are cited figures by people who have actually sat down and worked these things out. So the point is simply that government can make a real difference by making sure that Canberrans have alternative forms of transport.
Mr Coe made a number of remarks about ACTION, and it is worth clarifying some of the points he made. He talked about the fare increase. The 2015 fare increase at 2½ per cent was the lowest fare increase since the introduction of MyWay. The fare increase in 2015 was 2½ per cent; in 2014, 7½ per cent; in 2013, five per cent. Prior to 2013 there had been no increase since 2010. That puts these figures in context as well.
I might say, on Mr Coe’s remarks that the service is declining, that is simply not true. In the last two years, the reporting periods, the on-time running has increased from 68 per cent to 73 per cent, and it is continuing to head in the improving direction. That facet of ACTION’s performance has actually improved. Similarly, ACTION has made a series of improvements to the quality of the service that are to the benefit of customers. They include the construction of new bus stops and new bus shelters. They include the introduction of new buses that are fully air conditioned and more buses
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