Page 3762 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 28 October 2015
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include the first stage between Gungahlin and the city; the parliamentary triangle; Woden to the city; Tuggeranong to Woden; city to eastern connections, including the Canberra Airport and Fyshwick; Kippax and Belconnen to the city; and Molonglo to the city. The government is eager for the community to have their say on the light rail network, and community consultation is underway until 11 December.
Transport Canberra’s mandate is to deliver the ACT government’s vision of a quality public transport system that is convenient, efficient, affordable, reliable and integrated. Its establishment will oversee opportunities to integrate both bus and light rail with other elements of the transport system and ensure smooth integration of bus and light rail into a convenient, efficient, affordable and reliable network—for example, with community transport, taxis, ride sharing and active travel agencies—to maximise the customer experience by looking at these connections across both bus and light rail.
The government will continue to build upon its recent successes and implement an integrated public transport network that meets Canberrans’ needs now and over the next 25 years. In doing so, we will continue to put people at the centre of the public transport system and realise the transport for Canberra vision for a modern and efficient public transport system.
Investment by the government has provided significant additional infrastructure and services that have enhanced public transport access for passengers and enhanced journey options. Such measures include investing in bus shelter upgrades and a range of access options to maximise the use of walking and cycling and to relieve pressure on city centre parking facilities.
In terms of bus services, I am encouraged by recent progress to build further efficiency into the system and shorten travel times. Network 14 was launched in September last year to enhance the frequency and alignment of weekday and weekend bus routes. Network 14 provided enhanced services to Gungahlin, Molonglo and the parliamentary triangle, and added 10 per cent more bus trips to the weekday timetable, 18 per cent more bus trips on Saturdays and 31 per cent more bus trips on Sundays.
In 2014-15, over 17 million passenger journeys were made on ACTION buses. There were significant improvements through the parliamentary triangle, with an 18 per cent increase in services, including two new dedicated morning peak services from Woden and further services from Gungahlin. Other improvements have been realised to on-time running with the introduction of adjusted weekday timings in May this year and adjusted weekend timings in October this year.
We hear that the complexity of service and route options can sometimes be confusing for users, so the government has already begun the process of simplifying services and routes such that services both make the most of existing bus station investments and deliver services which are legible and easily identified. Examples include the improved alignment of weekday and weekend services throughout Gungahlin, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong Valley, where buses operate along the same roads on weekdays and weekends.
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