Page 4383 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 25 October 2017
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notably in this case, in my capacity as the minister for transport, by public transport and private transport. We know that transport emissions account for around one-quarter of the ACT’s total emissions today but that beyond 2020 transport emissions are projected to be the cause of more than two-thirds of Canberra’s total emissions. To reach carbon neutrality by 2050 we know that transport emissions must be addressed as a matter of priority.
Transport Canberra has a clear mandate to provide low-emission public transport options for the ACT. While exploring alternative-fuelled vehicles is an important step towards reducing emissions, increasing patronage and the important step of taking cars off the road will also have an even larger impact. As we know, the first stage of light rail will operate on 100 per cent renewable energy from the time the first vehicle leaves the Mitchell depot in late 2018. The current diesel and compressed natural gas bus fleet accounts for around one per cent of total emissions in the territory and about three per cent of emissions from the broader transport sector.
While acknowledging that diesel and compressed natural gas buses both contribute to carbon emissions, it should be noted that switching from private car use to public transport use still has an incredibly positive impact for each and every commuter that makes this small change. That is why the government is making significant investments in public transport to attract people out of their cars and on to mass public transport.
As well as light rail, the ACT is making substantial investments in new bus rapid routes to be introduced next year, new buses and new ticketing equipment to make using public transport a more enjoyable and convenient customer experience. Recent improvements in battery technology will play a key role in reducing the ACT’s carbon emissions, meaning that electric buses not only are more efficient but may also in the future become more economically and operationally viable, with obvious benefits for our environment.
The government has committed to the purchase of new and replacement buses, following an evaluation of the sustainable fuels bus trial that Mr Steel mentioned, which is currently underway. Transport Canberra has two contracts with two vendors to trial these alternative energy vehicles. The ACT government is also planning the design and construction of a new depot at Woden to house up to 120 buses. While this will incorporate diesel refuelling infrastructure, it will also be designed to accommodate a larger fleet of electric buses. These trials and investments demonstrate the ACT Labor government’s commitment to improving our public transport system while also leading the nation in our commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The government considers the electrification of private vehicles a critical element in the future reduction of emissions from the transport sector in the ACT. The ACT government has been trialling electric vehicles in its own fleet for a number of years. Future policy and programs relating to encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles will be considered as part of the future ACT climate change strategy, led by Minister Rattenbury, which will bring together both mitigation and adaptation
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