Page 200 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 February 2018
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66.4 per cent of residents work full time, 24.2 per cent currently work part time and in addition a further 18.9 per cent undertake voluntary work in our community. These residents deserve access to adequate public transport to partake in these activities and should have convenient and timely access to bus routes that support this endeavour.
One mother in Moncrief pointed out to me the difficulties she faces navigating the bus network to travel to work. This also is the case for her teenage son who attends school and works part time at a local pizzeria. Again, he finds the timetable and lack of adequate bus services challenging. Another resident of Forde highlighted that the new timetable had caused her commute to go from 45 minutes door to door to an hour and 10 minutes. This is an extra 50 minutes a day spent travelling because of the government’s lack of consultation and poor urban planning.
How is it that the government can so blatantly disregard the needs of our community? I believe that if you want to attract people to use public transport you need to make it attractive by having direct travel routes that use one mode of transport whilst remaining cost effective. The government has already raised the cost of parking, one would think to force people on to public transport. The latest timetable has, in effect, increased the need for commuters to transfer bus services and to extend their daily commute, again, one would think, to force people on to a future system by training them now without providing any alternative.
However, if you want a successful public transport system, you need people to make that choice for themselves and of their own free will, not due to punitive measures such as raising parking costs. The new timetable does not encourage people to use public transport. Instead, it deters them. You need to deliver a truly integrated system approach to public transport that encourages commuters actually to get a better service. You should deliver adequate parking and properly planned routes and stops, as well as real community consultation and communication.
Sadly, these things the government just cannot do. It is clear that the government does not understand the needs of local families. Perhaps they should walk a mile in the shoes of everyday people who need to drop the kids off at school and then travel to work. What about the people who may want to stop at the shops on the way home or participate in community activities, such as sport and recreation? We believe it is vital that the government take on board the concerns of residents and the needs of our community when prioritising transport planning in the future.
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (5.15): I stand today to speak in support of the motion moved by Ms Lee. One of the most common complaints I hear from constituents in my electorate of Ginninderra is that basic services in Canberra just do not seem to work well, especially considering how small our city still is. Another complaint that ordinary Canberrans frequently share with me is that no-one seems to want to listen to them or seek their input. This motion addresses both of these issues, which all stem from a single mess.
First, the changes to the bus network that were introduced in November appear to have made it more difficult for many who wish to utilise public transport. One of my constituents who lives in west Belconnen has shared her frustrations with the new
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