ACT Public Transport commitments

As part of the formal Parliamentary Agreement between Katy Gallagher and Shane Rattenbury, ACT Labor has agreed to support or implement the following initiatives regarding public transport in the ACT:

• Progress a light rail network for Canberra by:
  • Establishing a statutory independent authority to implement the light rail project and associated development in the corridor;
  • undertaking the necessary design studies, preparatory works, financing, procurement and tendering arrangements, with a traget date for the laying of tracks for the first route commencing in 2016;
  • creating a Canberra wide light rail network master plan.
• Over four years, provide at least an additional $24 million to fund new and improved bus routes (in addition to commitments to a centenary loop), including:
  • more frequent buses to and from Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Weston Creek and Woden suburbs;
  • measures to address overcrowding on current routes;
  • improved school bus services (including an ACT wide school transport study).
• Build new ‘park and rides’ and ‘bike and rides’ at Erindale, Southern Athllon Drive, central Gungahlin, Weston Creek and Molonglo.

Additionally, ACT Labor commits to:

• Improve public transport provision in the ACT by establishing the ACT’s first large-scale private sector partnership to plan, finance and develop the first stage of a Light Rail Network for Canberra – Capital Metro.
• Continue to invest in and expand ACTION bus networks on the rapid routes and other routes of high demand.