31
News / Re: Budget 2021-22
Last post by Barry Drive - October 10, 2021, 11:50:59 AMQuote from: narc855 on October 07, 2021, 12:39:14 PMAnother news, we may even have an electric fire truck before we have an electric bus...https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7453460/electric-fire-truck-a-national-first-for-canberra/It's actually a plug-in hybrid. Operates mostly on battery power but has diesel engine(s) to charge the batteries (if required) and to operate pumps.
And they said the 34 buses will be arrived by the end of this year, which seems unlikely to happen now...
Don't think there's any chance of 34 buses arriving this calendar year, but good chance that all or most will be this financial year. When they ordered the previous 40 Precision / Scanias, the contract was signed in August and delivery commenced in November. Depending on how far advanced their negotiations are, we might see something this year - maybe a couple of Custom Denning Elements and a few diesels. (Speculation only.)
There is now a media release regarding the budget -
QuoteMinister for Housing and Urban Development Yvette Berry said connecting the new suburbs of Molonglo Valley to our active travel network is a high priority as more residents come to call the Molonglo Valley home.
"We want Molonglo residents to have the option of taking more sustainable forms of transport, and the ACT Government will continue to deliver the infrastructure and services this growing region needs to be better connected with the rest of Canberra," Minister Berry said.
The Government will also strengthen public transport links to the Molonglo Valley with investment in new bus services announced for Whitlam due to commence in 2022 to provide a public transport option for new residents.
"With new investment in strategic transport corridors, active travel and public transport, we are making the future-focused investment in infrastructure necessary to support a more sustainable transport future for Canberra," said Minister Steel.
So look forward to a bus route to Whitlam next year.
32
Off Topic / Re: Canberra in lockdown
Last post by narc855 - October 08, 2021, 11:37:07 AMQuote from: Bus 400 on October 07, 2021, 04:23:14 PMhigher COVID positive test rate & lower vaccinated percentageDo you know NSW is the second highest vaccination state? In addition Western NSW is poor and have a very low vaccination rate so the southern NSW and Sydney actually has nearly the same vaccination rate as ACT.
At least what I can see is that the cases in the ACT is increasing while NSW is decreasing.
33
News / Re: Budget 2021-22
Last post by Bus 400 - October 07, 2021, 04:28:12 PMShould bets be on for what will happen first, out of Woden Depot actually being built or the first electric bus being decommissioned
34
Off Topic / Re: Canberra in lockdown
Last post by Bus 400 - October 07, 2021, 04:23:14 PMWith the higher COVID positive test rate & lower vaccinated percentage, hopefully NSW introduces a hard border with ACT.
Only allowing authorised workers who are fully vaccinated & test negative to enter NSW. Especially considering NSW residents will have full reign on NSW by the end of October.
Only allowing authorised workers who are fully vaccinated & test negative to enter NSW. Especially considering NSW residents will have full reign on NSW by the end of October.
35
News / Re: Budget 2021-22
Last post by narc855 - October 07, 2021, 12:39:14 PMAnother news, we may even have an electric fire truck before we have an electric bus...https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7453460/electric-fire-truck-a-national-first-for-canberra/
And they said the 34 buses will be arrived by the end of this year, which seems unlikely to happen now...
And they said the 34 buses will be arrived by the end of this year, which seems unlikely to happen now...
36
News / Budget 2021-22
Last post by Barry Drive - October 07, 2021, 12:00:35 PMThe ACT Budget for 2021-22 was handed down yesterday.
The Canberra Times has reported the following regarding buses and public transport:
The detail in the budget papers don't appear to support this, although the Capital Works-In-Progress does list $37.5m for "better buses" with a completion date of June 2023. If we were leasing buses, why is it being shown as a two year commitment, and as Capital (rather than expenditure) - these numbers suggest that buses are being bought outright, not leased. (But how many buses does $37.5m cover - and if they are being leased, how long does the lease apply for?)
Additionally, as we all know, Woden Depot does not currently exist other than as a pile of dirt, but there is Capital funding for Woden Depot totalling $33m ending in June 2024.
(I'd also like to see anyone buy 90 buses for $17.7m.)
The Transport Canberra section of the budget papers lists the 2021-22 priorities as:
– so that doesn't tell us much regarding bus acquisitions.
The TCCS Capital Works-In-Progress budget shows the following:
$37.5m over two years for buses to support the new bus network
$674,000 for public transport infrastructure (bus stop upgrades)
$97,000 for integrated bus and light rail ticketing
$37.9m over three years for Delivering a smart technology ticketing system for Canberra's integrated public transport system
$3.2m this year for Future bus network
$780,000 for Planning and design for a zero-emissions bus network
$1.6m for Strengthening infrastructure supporting Canberra's new public transport network
$1.9m for Supporting more Canberrans to park and ride
$1.5m for Real Time Passenger Information System
$33.1m over 3 years for Woden Depot
In the New Policy decisions section, there is funding for:
- Woden Public Transport stops
- continutation of Flexible Bus service (one year only)
- Growing the Public Transport Network[1]
Note 1:
The Canberra Times has reported the following regarding buses and public transport:
QuoteThe rubber will finally hit the road early next year as the government's planned $37.5 million phase-in of electric buses for Canberra comes to fruition.Note: above article was changed - originally it stated all 34 buses would be electric.
The first tranche of 34 replacement buses to be leased to the government is going through the tender process now under a $19.8 million allocation in the 2021-22 budget which will also see the Woden depot adapted to provide the significant recharging infrastructure required to keep the fleet rolling.
The 34 will replace the oldest Renault diesel buses and will be a mixture of diesel and electric.
A further $17.7 million has been allocated for 2022-23 for a further 90 battery-electric buses, which will be purchased rather than leased. Depots at Tuggeranong and Belconnen will be used to house between five to 10 of those buses in 2022-23.
The detail in the budget papers don't appear to support this, although the Capital Works-In-Progress does list $37.5m for "better buses" with a completion date of June 2023. If we were leasing buses, why is it being shown as a two year commitment, and as Capital (rather than expenditure) - these numbers suggest that buses are being bought outright, not leased. (But how many buses does $37.5m cover - and if they are being leased, how long does the lease apply for?)
Additionally, as we all know, Woden Depot does not currently exist other than as a pile of dirt, but there is Capital funding for Woden Depot totalling $33m ending in June 2024.
(I'd also like to see anyone buy 90 buses for $17.7m.)
The Transport Canberra section of the budget papers lists the 2021-22 priorities as:
- Continue with planning for future public transport growth and implementation of the ACT Transport Strategy;
- Commence construction of a new Woden Bus Depot to enable Transport Canberra Operations to manage the growth of the fleet, incorporating capacity to accommodate the transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet;
- Complete work on the Zero Emission Transition Plan to provide a pathway to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040 with no new diesel buses being purchased;
- Continue to implement the Bus Fleet Replacement Strategy by replacing ageing vehicles with the procurement of new buses aligned to the Zero Emissions Transition Plan;
- Progressing procurement of new integrated public transport ticketing system; and
- Continue to provide the Flexible Bus Service and conduct a feasibility study into the service to identify potential improvements.
– so that doesn't tell us much regarding bus acquisitions.
The TCCS Capital Works-In-Progress budget shows the following:
$37.5m over two years for buses to support the new bus network
$674,000 for public transport infrastructure (bus stop upgrades)
$97,000 for integrated bus and light rail ticketing
$37.9m over three years for Delivering a smart technology ticketing system for Canberra's integrated public transport system
$3.2m this year for Future bus network
$780,000 for Planning and design for a zero-emissions bus network
$1.6m for Strengthening infrastructure supporting Canberra's new public transport network
$1.9m for Supporting more Canberrans to park and ride
$1.5m for Real Time Passenger Information System
$33.1m over 3 years for Woden Depot
In the New Policy decisions section, there is funding for:
- Woden Public Transport stops
- continutation of Flexible Bus service (one year only)
- Growing the Public Transport Network[1]
Note 1:
QuoteThe Government will provide more transport options for people in Canberra's growing regions, by delivering additional buses, drivers, and infrastructure to service the new suburb of Whitlam. This will ensure that public transport services are available early in the life of the suburb, giving Canberrans access to real alternatives to private vehicles. This initiative also provides funding for feasibility work and early planning for the delivery of a future all-electric bus depot on Canberra's northside, supporting the transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet.
37
Off Topic / Re: Canberra in lockdown
Last post by Toyota Camry - October 06, 2021, 09:57:04 PMQueanbeyan is exiting lockdown from Monday October 11th, which is far too early and unsafe in my view; it is believed that under current restrictions that ACT residents will not be permitted to visit businesses in New South Wales on this date, and may be removed from the state.
If you are a NSW resident that is fully vaccinated, you may visit Queanbeyan for any reason; this includes riding on buses or visiting shops and restaurants.
If you are a NSW resident that is fully vaccinated, you may visit Queanbeyan for any reason; this includes riding on buses or visiting shops and restaurants.
38
Infrastructure / Re: Infrastructure Discussion
Last post by Bus 400 - October 04, 2021, 05:30:02 PMSo recently, a tender has been issued for a few more bus stop upgrades.
While some mention a "standard Roads ACT bolt down shelter" to be installed at a later date. I'm curious what the ACT standard shelter is now.
Of note is relocation of the bus stop & signs from Fraser West Terminus. With a bunker shelter to be relocated at a new stop just outside FWT near Dowthwaite Street. One would assume an upgrade of the stop at the other end is planned.
While some mention a "standard Roads ACT bolt down shelter" to be installed at a later date. I'm curious what the ACT standard shelter is now.
Of note is relocation of the bus stop & signs from Fraser West Terminus. With a bunker shelter to be relocated at a new stop just outside FWT near Dowthwaite Street. One would assume an upgrade of the stop at the other end is planned.
39
Routes and Timetables / Re: Drivers Being Very Late
Last post by Busnerd - September 30, 2021, 09:53:44 AMAs is this post, reporting on exact buses and trips that are running early. If you have a complaint to make then fill out the online feedback form at Transport Canberra and not here, thread now locked.
40
Routes and Timetables / Re: Interim weekday timetable ...
Last post by narc855 - September 30, 2021, 09:46:34 AMQuote from: Barry Drive on September 28, 2021, 10:26:11 AMIt is? I saw no mention of bus timetables.Yes it is. Please scroll down to the seventh page and find "Public Transport".
And from 25 October it will be "Interim timetable with school services" which is believed to be a different network but still named "interim timetable".