2010 Budget - Transport Outcomes

[Barry Drive]

As it's only 2 weeks until the ACT Budget is handed down, it's time to start some wild and unsubstantiated speculation about what it has in store.

I can't imagine that bus fares will go unchanged, so hopefully this year they will be raised to $4 adult and $2 concession, with the dailys being $7.60 & $3.80 and off-peaks $5 and $2 *. Maybe they will also fix the Regular Route Services Maximum Fare Determination to make the pensioner off-peak ticket not valid for students and introduce a student (incl tertiary) off-peak ($2.50) valid on weekends, school holidays and after 6pm weekdays *.

* Unlikely

[Barry Drive]

Media Release 4 May 2010

The 2010‐11 ACT Budget provides a massive down‐payment on the future of the Territory's 
transport system through a comprehensive $97 million funding package for all modes of transport. 
 
The Transport package outlines the Government's vision for a sustainable transport system, with 
investments in new roads, transit ways, bus frequency and bus stations, road safety, new pedestrian 
and cycle paths, real‐time passenger information, and park/bike‐and‐ride facilities, Chief Minister 
and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, announced today. 
 
Mr Stanhope said the Budget provided $86.3 million in capital funding and $10.7 million in recurrent 
funding for the new Transport for Canberra program ‐ to increase the reliability and sustainability of 
the Territory's public transport system, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the safety of the 
ACT's roads. 
 
"The ACT Government is preparing for our growing city by investing significantly in a more reliable, 
more frequent and more sustainable transport system through our new Transport for Canberra 
program," Mr Stanhope said.  
 
"This investment represents the first down‐payment on a new vision for transport – where bus 
services are closer to home and work, buses are more rapid and frequent, and more Canberrans 
choose to leave their cars at home." 
 
Mr Stanhope said the Budget provided targeted funding to increase the frequency and reliability of 
the Territory's bus network, through more services, drivers and workshop staff, and to meet the 
needs of our growing city. 
 
"The Budget provides $7.3 million for the first stage of the Belconnen‐to‐City Transit Way, which 
includes bus priority measures on Barry Drive and College Street, a transit way facility between 
Clunies Ross and Marcus Clarke Streets, and a bus station at the ANU," Mr Stanhope said. "$2 million 
will be spent on improvements to city bus services and facilities, including new bus stations and 
layover facilities." 
 
A further $200,000 will be spent on a feasibility study to identify options for a transit way between 
Haydon Drive and Macarthur Avenue, which will be the third key sector of the Belconnen to City 
transport corridor. 
 
"To reduce congestion between Gungahlin and the City, we are investing $4.250 million over two 
years to design bus priority measures on Northbourne Avenue and construct a major bus station in 
Dickson," Mr Stanhope said. 
   
"There's another $8.2 million for new bus priority measures along Canberra Avenue, which is used 
by over 20,000 vehicles every day. 
 
"The Budget provides almost $5 million for major bus stations in Gungahlin and Erindale and 
$100,000 to identify a site for a bus station in Barton to service the Parliamentary Triangle. 
 
"To improve the reliability of our buses, the Budget provides $12.5 million over three years for a 
real‐time passenger information system which will provide accurate bus arrival information using 
GPS technology. 
  
"The successful REDEX service will be continued and extended from the Kingston Railway to 
Fyshwick, stopping at the Direct Factory Outlet." 
 
Other highlights for public transport in the Transport for Canberra program include: 
•  $4.850 million for park‐and‐ride and bike‐and‐ride facilities at locations including Exhibition 
Park, Erindale Shopping Centre, Phillip Pool, Cohen Street in Belconnen, Gungahlin, and 
Tuggeranong; 
•  $3.5 million for lighting in the City to encourage more people to walk and cycle; 
•  $2.750 million for new bus stops, shelters, signs, lights and bike racks on major bus routes; 
and 
•  $1 million for new on‐road and off‐road cycle and community paths. 
 
Mr Stanhope said the Government would introduce Canberra's first ever point‐to‐point road safety 
cameras with $1.350 million funded in the Budget, adding to the Government's suite of measures to 
reduce road trauma and save lives. 
 
"Point‐to‐point cameras will be installed at up to six major arterial roads where the incidence of 
speeding is high and the consequences of a crash at high speeds are potentially catastrophic." 
 
Mr Stanhope said the Transport for Canberra program also provided targeted funding for new roads 
and road upgrades to reduce traffic congestion including: 
•  $14.7 million for a third lane on Parkes Way from the Glenloch Interchange to the Acton 
tunnel; 
•  $7.150 million to upgrade the Cotter Road from the Tuggeranong Parkway to Yarra Glen; 
•  $7 million to upgrade the Barry Drive and Clunies Ross Street intersection; and 
•  $1 million to upgrade the Phillip Avenue and Majura Avenue intersection.  
 
"This important down‐payment on the future of Canberra's transport network will help to deliver 
the essential infrastructure and services needed to support our growing city," Mr Stanhope said. 
 
In addition to the funding committed for Transport for Canberra, the Budget funds: 
•  $14 million to reconstruct three major intersections in North Weston; 
•  A further $11 million for John Gorton Drive (North‐South Arterial Road) in Molonglo;  
•  $4 million to upgrade the intersection of Horse Park and Gundaroo Drives at Forde; 
•  $2.5 million for upgrades to Edinburgh Avenue; 
•  $2.5 million to upgrade intersection of Ginninderra Drive and Aikman Drive; 
•  $2.250 million for upgrades to Majura and Sutton Roads; and 
•  $615,000 for new bridge safety screens to prevent rock throwing at vehicles.

[Barry Drive]

Could not find anything about bus fares in the Budget documents (so far).

What is mentioned is the following (also see the media release above):

Public transport is the centrepiece of this investment.  A key goal of making public transport more attractive is reducing travel times and increasing reliability of services.  The Budget provides:
–$8.2 million to design and construct bus priority measures on Canberra Avenue to recognise the substantial travel on the eastern corridor;
–$4.250 million to design bus priority measures on Northbourne Avenue, and construct off-road cycle lanes and a bus station at Dickson; and
  –$0.750 million over two years to design bus priority measures on Flemington Road between Mitchell and Gungahlin Town Centre.

Public transport services will also benefit through the network 10 changes which will incorporate the successful REDEX pilot into the core network and extend it to Fyshwick, and improve connections and commence services through the Belconnen town centre transport facilities now under construction.

A total of $7.5 million has been allocated to build key segments of the Belconnen to City Transitway, including a priority lane between Clunies Ross Street and Marcus Clarke Street; bus priority and improved facilities for buses, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists on Barry Drive near ANU, the busiest bus route in Canberra; bus priority measures on College Street and Haydon Drive; and a study to determine the alignment of the central section of the transitway.

A further $2 million will be invested in improving bus facilities in the City, including the construction of a bus layover facility, installation of bus stops, shelters and signage, pedestrian crossings and footpath improvement, and facilities for bus drivers.

The Budget invests $12.5 million for a real-time passenger information system which will increase the reliability of public transport.  The system will monitor the location of ACTION buses with GPS technology and transmit accurate bus arrival information to passengers through displays at major bus stations and bus stops, as well as through SMS and the ACTION website.  There is potential to link this system with Canberra's traffic lights to give buses priority.

The Budget also allocates a total of $4.925 million for building bus stations at Gungahlin town centre, Erindale shopping centre, and a feasibility study for a station in Barton, $1.75 million for the installation of 25 large shelters and bike racks at major stops along high frequency routes and $1 million over two years for the installation of 50 standard bus shelters.

The Budget allocates $4.8 million to construct a network of secure, weatherproof bike and ride facilities, and combined park and ride/bike and ride facilities at locations including Erindale, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Belconnen, Gungahlin and Fyshwick, assisting people to use public transport and reducing traffic congestion in the City Centre.

[Barry Drive]

The major bus stops identified are: Kippax, Russell, Manuka, Weston, Conder.

Bike and Ride (only) will be: Harrison (along Flemington Road?), Phillip (near pool), Drakeford Drive (unsure where).

Park and Ride / Bike and Ride combinations: Belconnen (Cohen St extension), Exhibition Park, Erindale

Park and Ride (only): Fyshwick (DFO)

[Barry Drive]

Note the estimated completion dates for the various projects:

Major Bus Stops - June 2013
Canberra Ave Bus Priority Measures - April 2014
Northbourne Ave Bus Priority + Dickson Bus Station - June 2012
Park and Ride facilities - June 2014
Improvement to City Bus facilities - March 2013
Gungahlin Bus Station - June 2012
Erindale Bus Station - June 2012
Bike and Ride facilities - June 2013
Belconnen to City Transitway stage 1 - June 2012

[Buzz Killington]

Could not find anything about bus fares in the Budget documents (so far).

Me neither. Only increase related to transport I came across was for Pay Parking. I read $1.50 increase from 1 July from one source, and a yearly increase from another.

Public transport is the centrepiece of this investment.  A key goal of making public transport more attractive is reducing travel times and increasing reliability of services.

How about getting services into the new suburbs before people move in for a change?

$8.2 million to design and construct bus priority measures on Canberra Avenue to recognise the substantial travel on the eastern corridor

Wasn't expecting this, but a welcome initiative.

$4.250 million to design bus priority measures on Northbourne Avenue, and construct off-road cycle lanes and a bus station at Dickson

Glad to see the funding has been allocated for Northbourne. It looks as though they'll go ahead with moving the cyclists onto the footpath, which is probably safer for all involved, provided they use the paths.

$0.750 million over two years to design bus priority measures on Flemington Road between Mitchell and Gungahlin Town Centre.

Good move. Gungahlin is growing fast and these measures will be much needed.

Public transport services will also benefit through the network 10 changes which will incorporate the successful REDEX pilot into the core network and extend it to Fyshwick, and improve connections and commence services through the Belconnen town centre transport facilities now under construction.

Good to see DFO finally getting a proper service, sure to be welcomed by the staff out there. Would be nice to see the Redex format tried elsewhere (Tuggeranong to City express would be great)

A total of $7.5 million has been allocated to build key segments of the Belconnen to City Transitway, including a priority lane between Clunies Ross Street and Marcus Clarke Street; bus priority and improved facilities for buses, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists on Barry Drive near ANU, the busiest bus route in Canberra; bus priority measures on College Street and Haydon Drive; and a study to determine the alignment of the central section of the transitway.

Priority lane is a good move, and there's room there for it. It will be interesting to see what improvements are made around the ANU. Presumably the measures on Haydon will be "B" lights at Haydon/Belconnen and Haydon/Mary Potter. Not sure what priority measures they have in mind for College St?

A further $2 million will be invested in improving bus facilities in the City, including the construction of a bus layover facility, installation of bus stops, shelters and signage, pedestrian crossings and footpath improvement, and facilities for bus drivers.

Where is this layover going to be? More crossings is a nice idea but won't stop the morons who think running out in front of traffic is a good idea.

The Budget invests $12.5 million for a real-time passenger information system which will increase the reliability of public transport.  The system will monitor the location of ACTION buses with GPS technology and transmit accurate bus arrival information to passengers through displays at major bus stations and bus stops, as well as through SMS and the ACTION website.  There is potential to link this system with Canberra's traffic lights to give buses priority.

A LOT of potential here for something very very good - all depends on how it is integrated with the website and smartphones.

The Budget also allocates a total of $4.925 million for building bus stations at Gungahlin town centre, Erindale shopping centre, and a feasibility study for a station in Barton, $1.75 million for the installation of 25 large shelters and bike racks at major stops along high frequency routes and $1 million over two years for the installation of 50 standard bus shelters.

New shelters are always good, and nice to see they plan to extend the Station concept to provide more adequate shelters at the group centres.

The Budget allocates $4.8 million to construct a network of secure, weatherproof bike and ride facilities, and combined park and ride/bike and ride facilities at locations including Erindale, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Belconnen, Gungahlin and Fyshwick, assisting people to use public transport and reducing traffic congestion in the City Centre.

More Bike/Park n Ride facilities are welcomed.


All good measures, but can anyone think of anything that has been missed?

[Bus 400]

One you missed was:

– Network 10 will commence in October 2010 and Network 11 in July 2011, with $6.1 million over four years in funding.

I wonder where the new timetable printing for the completion of the Belconnen Town Centre will fit into this?

[Irisbus Rider]

Wow, there's a considerable amount of detail there, revealing many future projects.

A few that appeal;
- "a transit way facility between Clunies Ross and Marcus Clarke Streets"
- "a bus station at the ANU"
- "bus stations in Gungahlin"

And I'm unsure how many times I've already heard this:

"To improve the reliability of our buses, the Budget provides $12.5 million over three years for a
real‐time passenger information system which will provide accurate bus arrival information using
GPS technology.

Also, it looks as though Redex will be extended to Fyshwick/DFO. It's a shame that this service does not operate during weekends, as that is when the DFO receives the bulk of their customers.

Thanks for that Martin.

[Sir Pompously]

I looked in the paper aswell, for those in the Erindale, Monash, Richardson, Gowrie, Isabella area they are investigating improvements to Ashley Drive from Erindale Drive to Johnson Drive. The rest looks promising, Bus Stations are a great idea, however I can see that they will probably be single Adshel's a la Cohen Street Bus Station (looks great but lacks protection). The screens are a good idea, sadly it takes away the neat appearance of urban infrastructure, but they serve a decent purpose (The NSW ones look alot better than the ACT ones, as they usually have patterns on them). Redex being extended, yes please! DFO is the best place for it to go, however there still needs to be a more frequent weekend service to DFO!

[CNG]

They  should extend redex to the airport

[Buzz Killington]

The reason ACTION don't go there is because Mr Snow wants to charge X amount of money for each bus that travels there.

[smitho]

Notice the Budget guff refers to the Belconnen 'transitway' rather than bus lane - I wonder if this vague terminology is to leave open the option of allowing multiple-occupancy cars to use it as they've done with the Yarra Glen and Adelaide Ave bus lanes.

Interesting to see that real time bus running information system is on the agenda again after having been suspended 3 or 4 years ago and (if my memory is correct) the funds diverted to pay for the gas MAN bus fleet.

[Barry Drive]

With the real-time passenger information system, I assume that not only do they need GPS and a radio/GSM system in each bus (which they have), they also need a way to determine which bus is performing which route or shift. At the moment they can tell which driver is operating which bus (as long as the driver has tagged on) and through HASTUS work what shift that driver is assigned to.

But the new Wayfarer ticketing system can have real-time system software loaded into it (and it already supports GPS and GSM/GPRS/3G), so I suspect that the delay in implementing such a system was due to getting the ticket system replacement in first then adding a real-time system to it.

Redex being extended, yes please! DFO is the best place for it to go, however there still needs to be a more frequent weekend service to DFO!

The question is whether there will be a 7 day network come October and, if so, whether Redex will operate on weekends. The other question is when Redex is extended to DFO, will 80 still go there?

[Barry Drive]

I wonder where the new timetable printing for the completion of the Belconnen Town Centre will fit into this?

Did you not see this bit:

network 10 changes which will ... commence services through the Belconnen town centre transport facilities now under construction.

Where is this layover going to be?

The map of Capital Projects was very vague about this. There was a bus logo at the current City West layover and another logo near the corner of London Circuit and Nangari Street. So they might be planning a City East layover. (As suggested here.)

[Barry Drive]

It's interesting that the media release mentions "a bus station at the ANU", yet this is not listed as one the bus stations or major stops in the budget papers.

Budget paper number 2 mentions "bus priority and improved facilities for buses, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists on Barry Drive near ANU, the busiest bus route in Canberra" - which sounds like modification of the intersection to include pedestrian/bike crossing lights next to the bus stops. The completion date for this project is listed as - June 2013.

[belcodriver]

The question is whether there will be a 7 day network come October

That will depend on whether or not we win the strike we are bound to have.

[Bus 400]

On Friday WIN news had a bit on the Canberra Avenue transitway. The ACT Government will fund the transit way to the NSW border with the NSW Government keeping their promise to complete the transit way through Queanbeyan.

Also in today's Sunday Times, it appears that $151,000 has been set aside for a fesability study into ACTION depot upgrades.

[Barry Drive]

There was no mention in the budget papers, but it has been revealed to drivers that cash fares are increasing on 1 July.

[Barry Drive]

Where is this layover going to be?

A source of dubious reliability (but delicious chicken) claims that City layover will be moved to Hobart Place and the current City West facility re-developed as an office building. Not sure if it will be a layover only or a layover + bus station.

[Bus 400]

Well Katy Gallagher announced today the bus priority lane from Clunies Ross Street to City Interchange & a new ANU/City West Interchange. I would suspect this new interchange would be on the bus lane. The announcement can be found at http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=10038

[blackdragon]

Well Katy Gallagher announced today the bus priority lane from Clunies Ross Street to City Interchange & a new ANU/City West Interchange. I would suspect this new interchange would be on the bus lane. The announcement can be found at http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=10038

The interchange will be part of the new ANU student residence and office block that they are currently constructing on the corner of Barry Dr and Marcus Clarke St. There will be an extention of Rudd St to the intersection of Barry Dr and Kingsley St diagonal between the existing student residence and the new development which will be the new bus station/interchange. I also believe a new bus layover will be constructed on the other side of Barry Dr on what is currently a dirt carpark.