Page 51 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
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continue to build a better public transport system. That is what our government is doing. That is what we will continue to do.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, given that there were almost 18 months of consultation prior to the rollout of the network, why did you not listen to Canberrans at the time instead of needing to rely on recent data?
MR STEEL: At the time we were relying on the data that we had on the operation of network 19. We consulted with the community and they told us that they wanted to see more frequent services. That translated into more frequent bus rapid routes being added to the network. Also we had light rail stage 1, commencing with network 19 at the end of April last year. So, there were major changes to the network.
Of course, we did not know exactly what that was going to result in, in terms of public transport patronage. In fact, it has seen an increase—7.1 per cent more journeys since the new network started—but we want more people to be able to catch public transport and so we are making further changes, which we hope will further increase patronage.
MS CHEYNE: Minister, where has patronage increased under the new network?
MR STEEL: We have seen an increase on weekends under the new network. There has been a significant increase in the number of people using bus services across the weekend because we have improved the span of service. Frequent bus services are now available on weekends. We have seen huge numbers of people using light rail, which is absolutely fantastic. Three and a half million people have now boarded light rail. We have seen, as a result, that in areas of the inner north and Gungahlin more people are choosing public transport. We want to extend the benefits of light rail to other parts of the city in future stages as well. They are some of the key benefits.
Of course, the rapid routes are some of the most popular routes on the network throughout weekdays as well. In places like Tuggeranong, people have really embraced the R5 service that now runs through Erindale to places like Calwell: a 25 per cent increase in patronage in Calwell alone, which is fantastic. We want to make sure that all suburbs see an increase in patronage over time. That is why we will continue to make improvements in term 2 and beyond.
Bushfires—government support
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for Community Services and Facilities. Minister, how has the ACT government supported Canberrans and our interstate neighbours who have needed safety and respite from the bushfires?
MS ORR: I thank Ms Cheyne for her question. The Community Services Directorate is responsible for establishing evacuation, relief and recovery centres as part of its emergency and recovery roles under the ACT emergency arrangements.
Prior to the state of emergency being declared in the ACT, this government had pre-identified five evacuation locations across the city. The evacuation centres are
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