Today it was announced by Chris Steel that an updated bus network will start on the 2nd of February next year (2026)
Quote from: Transport Canberra"An updated bus network will begin at the start of Term 1 on Monday 2 February 2026 to coincide with major construction on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project.
The Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project is essential work being delivered by the National Capital Authority (NCA) on behalf of the Australian Government. This project will have significant impacts to all road users during the construction period which has been announced by the NCA to begin on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
More information on the project including the impacts to motorists and roads, the public transport network and foot/bike paths can be found on the NCA website.
To maintain the reliability of bus services, temporary adjustments will be made to weekday and weekend bus timetables and routes across the public transport network for the duration of the construction period. There are no changes to light rail frequencies.
The changes are necessary to ensure that Transport Canberra resources are used in the most efficient way possible, allowing bus services to continue across the entire network.
Every effort will also be made to maintain bus frequency. In instances where there is reduced service frequency, available buses that have more passenger capacity will be allocated to help move more customers at once.
While these changes may mean adjusted travel times or altered routes for some passengers, they are temporary and will be reviewed as construction progresses. Bus services will be monitored and reviewed and refined to align with demand, impact and operational conditions."
Changes to Rapids and local services
- A dedicated bus and emergency services priority lane across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge northbound into the city
- 15-minute standard frequency for all weekday Rapid bus services all day across the network until 7:30 pm
- Rapid 2 changes with no services within Belconnen and reduced frequency to 15 minutes between the Belconnen Interchange and Fyshwick. A new local service, route 12 for Belconnen will replace Rapid 2 services between Fraser and Belconnen Interchange
- Rapid 3 changes with no services within Belconnen but maintaining Belconnen Interchange to Canberra Airport. A new local service, route 13 for Belconnen will replace Rapid 3 services between Spence and Belconnen Interchange
- Rapid 4 changes with reduced frequency to 15 minutes
- Rapid 5 extension of services into Belconnen (now linking Lanyon to Belconnen) to help replace reduced Rapid 4 frequency
- Rapid 6 extension of services into Belconnen (now linking Woden to Belconnen) to help replace reduced Rapid 2 frequency. Includes a return to service bus stops on Ainsworth Street, Phillip
- Route 31 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 54 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 55 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 56 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street and route change to use - King Edward Terrace and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge instead of Kings Avenue Bridge.
- Route 57 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 58 extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 180 (peak only service) extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 181 (peak only service) extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Route 182 (peak only service) extension of services to Marcus Clarke Street before Rimmer Street
- Time changes and refinements for local routes 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 60, 61, 63, 65, 66, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81
There are also some school route changes (nothing super serious though) and the network map (https://www.transport.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/2990547/22751_TC_network_map_420x792_2026.pdf) has also been released.
My thoughtsIf I had describe this update in one word, it would be why. My biggest complaint and one I don't understand one bit is why they cut the local sections of the R2 and R3, when the bit they should actually be cutting/reducing frequencies is the section that crosses the bridge. The cutting of the R2 local section in particular removes the rapid connection from Belconnen to Kippax as well, which is very disappointing in my opinion.
While frequencies have been reduced to every 15 minutes for rapids, there are now more routes crossing Commonwealth Avenue bridge than before (because the 56 follows the R2 and R6 route now). Personally I would have redirected some rapid services down the current 59 route instead and kept the current frequencies, but hey, I suppose they've got it to work.
Can someone tell me why the R5 and R6 now go to Belconnen? While yes it's nice to have a direct bus from Lanyon to Belconnen there are 3 Rapid services from Belconnen to City already, another 2 is very overkill. Apparently this is to "help replace reduced R2 and R4 frequency" but there are plenty of Belconnen to City services already, and apparently they are planning to put more Artics and STAGs on the R4 to increase capacity anyway, so I don't really see the need for MORE services. I sort of get why they did it, but I don't think it's needed (or only 1 extra service is needed)
The only thing that makes some sense is that they've extended the 31 and 54-58 to Marcus Clarke before Rimmer St. Don't really get the 31, but with the others it's quite confusing with the 59 starting at City ANU but the others starting at City Interchange. Not sure how it fixes the traffic issues on Commonwealth Ave bridge though. (the new network map also still shows the 54 going along Mustang and Spitfire Ave despite not having done so in almost 3 years :o ::) )
This comes with every network change, but its quite annoying for me that all the interesting runs I've found will likely change, and even more annoying I only got 3 terms out of all the interesting runs I found in the current network >:( . Please feel free to share your thoughts, I'm interested to see what people think of the changes.
Some random comments adding in reply.
Yes, it's about time the anomaly of buses not starting or passing through Rimmer St was corrected. (Rte 53 remains an impractical exception.)
Routes 12 and 13 are a disappointment as change at Belconnen, with all the connections unreliability, will be required. If services on these routes also revert to 'local' standards, especially at weekends, it will be a major setback and disincentive, with negative patronage effects extending long into the future.
Wonder why the reserved lane on Commonwealth Ave bridge is not tidal flow?
TC has had years to consider and plan for the probability of the lengthy closures of the Commonwealth Ave bridges. Instead of cutting and slowing services there was the opportunity, sadly not embraced, to enhance its reputation and standing by being truly innovative, and increasing services to provide a better alternative to private cars; thereby relieving traffic and parking congestion during this period of stress, and capturing some new users into the future to boot.
Forward planning could also have seen the early completion of the Light Rail bridge, thus providing relief lanes. (And the creator of the problem, the Commonwealth through its Agency, should have been pro-active and coughed up.)
TC's habit of largely retiring buses as new ones are delivered is not forward looking enough. Approx 112 have been put into service since 800, and 101 withdrawn in the same period. A negligible net fleet increase of less than 2 1/2% .(Also I have often wondered how is it that the locally smaller operator, CDC, can flexibly find buses and drivers for things like Spilt Milk and rare Light Rail bustitution, and yet the big operator, TC, can't/won't?)
And to conclude, many who volubly oppose light rail claim flexibility as a bus advantage. Yeah, right.
A few points to clarify, firstly the R2/R3 cut is due to run times, particularly an issue with the R2 which is already an incredibly long run in peak, adding in time to get across commonwealth Ave would make the run simply too long and nearly impossible to schedule as it would be at the point where you could only get one into a single 5hr block with insufficient time to return and there isn't enough services from Fraser/Fyshwick to avoid excessive amounts of dead running. Also with the amount of late running expected through the city this will provide a more reliable service to the suburbs.
The 56 is likely through Parkes now to assist with the capacity cuts in this area on the R2/6 as it's an incredibly highly patronised area during peak hour.
As for CDC's ability to get drivers for events...look deeper, it's not as simple as it seems on the surface, the most recent lightrail shut down a few weeks ago, CDC was using two buses from their Sydney charter operations, you would have to assume drivers as well, they simply have the ability to call on more drivers, from both within the Canberra region and well out of it.
It's a shame they haven't revived a direct Woden-Belconnen service via the Parkway. Possibly something to consider if/when reliable data can be derived from the MyWay+ system to identify if it's viable (and not just in peak, either) to take the pressure off the intertown.
Revival of peak routes to the City similar to the 712/743 from Spence/Fraser could have also been useful with the 12/13 terminating in Belconnen.
I think adding some express services as mentioned would be a very good trade off for reduced/cut rapids to the suburbs. But I do wonder if this was not possible due to the same resourcing issues that have caused the reduction of Rapid frequencies.
Unfortunately an ongoing issue I believe is the age of the workforce, you done see many younger drivers joining the workforce and there is a very large number of drivers (based on appearance) that would seem to be approaching retirement age, this make it very difficult to increase staff numbers and as consequence very hard to increase fleet size due to the current high natural attrition rate of the workforce.
It'll be interesting watching people board the R6 in Belconnen & watching it take the windier route to Woden.
With Strathnairn School opening in 2026, pity only the 903 will service the school students & commuters. I assume the little buses will be out less.
I asked Chris Steel when he came along to the PTCBR AGM "when are you going to stop screwing Tuggeranong Valley?" Here's another network where there's what appears to be a complete disregard for anything south of Woden and increasing the ease for people north of the City... so typical. Belconnen to City is getting 5 rapids now, that's so fair.
The R6 baffles me, that route is already long enough and I have no doubt people are going to dumb and get it thinking it'll get to Woden quicker now that the R4 is going to be screwed again.
I strongly suggest you read properly the reason for the extension of rapids to Belconnen (ie the large cut in frequency) as well as the disadvantages to Belconnen residents (cuts to the R2 and R3) before commenting further....
I don't live in Belconnen so I don't care - I'm so beyond giving a rat anymore so it's about time they felt what us Valley residents have been putting up with for the last 20+ years for once.
When you know what several decades of built-up resentment feels like, you let me know yeah.
I absolutely love the idea of having peak hour service from Fraser/Spence to City like the 712/743, they really should have done it, peak hour R2s are pretty busy already and cutting the Rapid will only make this much worse. Would also have loved to see a Belconnen to Woden express service like the old 749, but that was never gonna happen unfortunately.
Quote from: CBRFlyer on December 06, 2025, 07:00:15 AMA few points to clarify, firstly the R2/R3 cut is due to run times, particularly an issue with the R2 which is already an incredibly long run in peak, adding in time to get across commonwealth Ave would make the run simply too long and nearly impossible to schedule as it would be at the point where you could only get one into a single 5hr block with insufficient time to return and there isn't enough services from Fraser/Fyshwick to avoid excessive amounts of dead running. Also with the amount of late running expected through the city this will provide a more reliable service to the suburbs.
I understand the R3, the local section never really needed to be a rapid and it's probably better off as a local service starting and ending at Belconnen (probably also more straightforward for tourists at the airport who don't know where "Spence" is either) but I'm more annoyed at the fact they've cut the R2 beyond Belconnen, and with it the Belconnen-Kippax rapid link. This section has had a form of rapid route with at least a 15 minute frequency for at least 15 years, if not longer. It's also worth considering the new development in the Ginninderry region will make Kippax a more important group centre than it is currently. It would have been much better to have the R2 going from Kippax-Fyswhick instead, keeping the Belconnen-Kippax rapid link. It is worth noting that we still don't know the frequencies of the 12/13 yet, so it could be like the 59 (which covers a former R5 section) with a 15 minute frequency on weekdays, which would be good, although that would mean like the 59 1 or 2 hour frequencies on weekends.
Quote from: Bus 400 on December 06, 2025, 04:41:34 PMWith Strathnairn School opening in 2026, pity only the 903 will service the school students & commuters. I assume the little buses will be out less.
I'm disappointed they didn't give Strathnairn a full time bus service which links to Belconnen considering they've cut the Rapid connection at Kippax, although the usage of more standard buses will make it more like a regular service. I'm also a bit disappointed (but not surprised) to see no services to the new section of Denman Prospect and Jacka, but there may not be enough demand, buses, or drivers to support these services currently.
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on December 06, 2025, 06:40:47 PMThe R6 baffles me, that route is already long enough and I have no doubt people are going to dumb and get it thinking it'll get to Woden quicker now that the R4 is going to be screwed again.
Along with the R2/R3 cuts, I really don't understand the R5/R6 extension to Belconnen. I get it's for capacity, but both services currently take 50 minutes to complete their current Lanyon/Woden to City ANU route, add an extra 20-25 minutes on top of that to get to Belconnen plus navigating the bridge roadworks and that's a roughly 75 minute service. Why'd they cut the R2 again? Oh yeah, because it was too long, yet the current R2 has a timetabled block time of 72 minutes, 3 minutes less. Makes sense ::)
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on December 06, 2025, 06:53:48 PMI don't live in Belconnen so I don't care - I'm so beyond giving a rat anymore so it's about time they felt what us Valley residents have been putting up with for the last 20+ years for once.
When you know what several decades of built-up resentment feels like, you let me know yeah.
Yes, so hard putting up with R service all the way to the City via suburbs from Lanyon, R service direct via Woden to the City and Belconnen from Tuggeranong, the ONLY peak hour express services in the entire network, 180, 181, and 182 between Lanyon and the City, and a suburb network similar to other areas.
Remember this isn't so much a 'new network' rather than a temporary network who's entire purpose is reducing delays to services due to the bridge works.
Tuggeranong didn't get 'screwed over', it got an extended R5, and higher capacity vehicles allocated to existing R4s, as said above the R2 and R3 were cut as the run time once delays are involved, although less so with the R3 than R2, would cause rostering/driver issues more than anything else which causes flow on impacts to reliability to service.
They have said they will monitor and make changes as required, which may be hard given the unreliability of MyWay+ but hopefully they take feedback and listen to it.
All going well the network will revert back once the works are completed.
As long as someone promotes it & is timetabled correctly. If you combine the 12 with the 40/42, Kippax to Belconnen still has a 15 minuteish frequency. At the moment people will miss the R2, but the 40 will leave Kippax with no new passengers.
Quote from: Busnerd on December 07, 2025, 11:45:02 AMthis isn't so much a 'new network' rather than a temporary network
Well it's enough of a change that it requires downloading/creating a completely new set of timetables for those who still rely on that method. Especially for all those local route time changes, yikes.
Quote from: Bus 400 on December 07, 2025, 12:13:02 PMIf you combine the 12 with the 40/42, Kippax to Belconnen still has a 15 minuteish frequency.
If the 12 and 40/42 are timetabled like that (which it won't be) then I suppose it will do the job linking Belconnen and Kippax temporarily, but I'd still like to see the rapid kept (or have the 12 running at a rapid frequency)
Hopefully the R4 should be getting more STAG runs than there are currently, they are perfect for the intertown corridor and there aren't enough running in the current timetable. I swear I see so many STAGs either sitting in the depot or on some random R6 at 3pm with 5 people on it. I'm interested to see just how many more Artics/STAGs appear on the R4 in the update compared to currently.
Just looking at the map again, I feel like moving the 180/181 (back) and R7/R10 on to Parks Way & Tuggeranong Parkway would help alleviate some of the congestion on the bridge. Sure there's a ton of mayhem on the parkway during peak and bad weather but I'm sure something similar will probably happen on the bridge over the next 2 years too. Sacrifice a couple stops for maybe slightly faster travel on most weekdays.
Also the R4/5 only service a small portion of the southern suburbs anyway and the woo hoo 180s are great... for the Lanyon MP area people.
Half hour frequency R4s at night when the weekends aren't touched, bruh just make the R4 a bi-hourly service and convert the 59 into a rapid already cuz clearly the ANU corridor needs those buses more.
So would be right in assuming that once this comes into affect, we will likely not have another network change/adjustment until 2028 unless something drastic happens?
Great... "in the coming days" we'll get to see what they adjusted... Why is it that the public has to wait until there's almost no time left to work out adjustments yet the drivers get to pick shifts MONTHS in advance? It's just not fair. I'm not angry because I'm not going to have enough time to fix up my own timetables, I'm angry because 2 weeks is just not enough - and I'm NOT just speaking for myself here.
It'll be the same old, the bus that was once convenient is no longer convenient. So people will start driving again. But someone else will see the new bus timetable is convenient & they'll try the bus till the next timetable change.
I can't remember pre-Google Transit feed. But when I use to play with ACTION GTFS data. Google required this information from everyone to be uploading 2 weeks before going live. I'm not sure if this is still the case. Especially when tracking apps can do live changes, I've seen it with Sydney Trains.
Aside from the obvious lies and awful adjustments, is the Woden Interchange changing in any way because the maps on all the timetables still indicate that there's no temporary interchange detours?
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on January 16, 2026, 07:44:26 AMHoly hell it's there finally...
About time. I've had a quick glance over the routes I use and there are some things that I like and one thing I don't like
What I like- Not that it affects me that much, but it's nice to see the 66 double division introduced in the last network change now no longer departs 2 minutes before the next service, but now the morning 66 services are in 15 minute intervals.
- Some small timetabling issues I've personally had with 0 minute connections have been fixed. Obviously there are still some, but there's much less than last timetable (for me at least)
- Seems like the 12/13 have 20 minute frequencies on weekdays, and 30 minutes on weekends. Weekend frequency is good but I think a 15 minute frequency would have been better for weekdays. I suppose it'll do the job for now.
What I don't like- I'm disappointed to see the 25/26 frequencies have been cut from every half hour for each service to every 40 minutes (I believe this is the same for other loop services too). Some of these services (mainly during peak hour) are standing room only so I hope that maybe there's an artic or 2 used during peak, although I doubt it.
Overall I'm somewhat happy with this network change, but the real verdict (for me) is which buses are on which routes. Let's hope it's the as good or better than the current timetable.
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on January 16, 2026, 08:31:15 AMAside from the obvious lies and awful adjustments, is the Woden Interchange changing in any way because the maps on all the timetables still indicate that there's no temporary interchange detours?
I'd assume it's because the new Woden interchange will open a month or two after the timetable change and they don't want to have to change it again.
Of interest is that southbound peak R4 have had 15 minutes added to the run time. Every other R4 southbound & northbound have had 4-6 minutes added. I haven't looked at any other Rapids.
You have to wonder if it would have been easier to make Commonwealth Avenue bus only.
(https://i.imgur.com/FWTSOke.png)
Holy that is a much bigger cut than I was expecting. Yeh yeh yeh, the Belconnen extensions... I guess the people living on the corridor between Wanniassa P&R and Tuggeranong just don't matter anymore. The frequency is so bad I feel like it's going to be like back in the 900 days where riding the 960/962 was just as effective.
Quick question for the drivers (if you're allowed to say it), I'm noticing the weekend times are not being touched in the timetables I've done so far. Are the shifts changing for weekends, or is this update just for the weekdays?
Sylvan, I seriously hope you reconsider that "Passenger Warning" or at least put in giant text somewhere that your 'timetables' are an unofficial publication. Not only is your suggestion inaccurate, but it's also catastrophising based on your own negative TC and ACT Government beliefs.
You're certainly entitled to those beliefs, but if you're handing out these unofficial timetables to real passengers - it's a poor reflection on bus enthusiasts everywhere.
man so many memes to choose from, picking the right one to put here is just too hard to choose right now... inaccurate? eh we'll just have to see I guess
Work started on Light rail last year on Commonwealth Avenue.
Bridge works are unrelated to the light rail construction & this has been said multiple times.
We were lucky to get a northbound bus lane. From my contacts, a northbound bus lane wasn't even mentioned by the ACT Government until a member of the public brought it up.
You'll note that there is already extra time allocated to services to cross Commonwealth Ave.
All areas of Canberra are disadvantaged by these works and it's worth noting that Tuggeranong is one of the least affected areas seeing only cuts to frequency, people in Belconnen suburbs lose their direct rapid buses to the City and whilst I don't disagree with the reasoning behind having to cut them temporarily whilst these works are completed I can certainly agree it is frustrating for these people.
As of yet with the bridge closed and crossing in peak hour every day I'm yet to see anything aside from negligible delays, whilst I do think this will change after Australia Day when more people return to work and also when Northbourne Ave reopens, I would suggest at this stage there is no cause for concern given the extra time already added to the timetable.
I would also love to know how you would propose bi-directional bus lanes on the commonwealth Ave bridge...given it's only three lanes wide...
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on January 20, 2026, 11:39:18 AMAre the shifts changing for weekends, or is this update just for the weekdays?
Considering that the weekend routes are also changed, I'd have thought the answer was obvious. (Yes: in case it isn't.)
Quote from: Bus 400 on January 21, 2026, 06:40:54 AMBridge works are unrelated to the light rail construction & this has been said multiple times.
Well said.
I don't see why there's such a kerfuffle over this shit, you guys don't even use my timetables. Relax ffs, I can count on my hands the number of people who use them and even then they probably don't. So much focus on the text even thought there was literally a 'fix' thingy next to it. That screenshot was taken while the timetable was still in development. I just had to get something down because otherwise I would've forgotten to do it.
Quote from: Barry Drive on January 21, 2026, 09:35:46 AMConsidering that the weekend routes are also changed, I'd have thought the answer was obvious
After further inspection I have noticed some adjustments and course I forgot completely about the 12/13.
Whilst Belconnen residents whinge about losing their rapid.
What about the residents living opposite Narrabundah Terminus? They lose their 3 services on weekends.
Yeah true, they continue to suffer along with a couple other sections of suburbs - I feel for them.
Just the other day I was on the bus and overheard a conversation an older lady was having with the bus driver. They moved around the topics quite a bit over the short period she was on the bus for, but the one thing I took from that conversation I couldn't help but agree with...
Quote from: lady on the busHe just doesn't care about us does he...
Nope, no he doesn't.
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on January 16, 2026, 08:31:15 AMAside from the obvious lies and awful adjustments, is the Woden Interchange changing in any way because the maps on all the timetables still indicate that there's no temporary interchange detours?
Woden Temporary Interchange will still be in operation.
Timetables show northbound Rapids leaving from Platform 3 at Woden. The weird platform numbers are up at Woden & they have plt 3 for southbound services.
Oh that's bad, let's hope they get onto that asap.
Wow the online timetables are so sloppy. I'm going through them one by one as I'm doing my own and so far I'm not seeing any critical mistakes like the last network has on some of the Gungahlin routes, but I'm seeing a lot of carelessness in the font changes between AM/PM times. Saw a map too that appeared like they didn't bother trying.
Can't tell if they're mistakes or not, but I am seeing a bunch of times that just don't make sense smh.
Is it just me or does 27 minutes between city interchange and barton seem like overkill?
Quote from: AnotherBusDriver on January 28, 2026, 10:49:14 PMIs it just me or does 27 minutes between city interchange and barton seem like overkill?
The problem is it is based on 'traffic modelling' to predict delay due to Commonwealth Ave bridges work. The modelling is the best theoretical forecast, but inevitably there are assumptions involved. In the first few days after the end of the vacation period (about now) the traffic delays may even prove to be worse than predicted; but after drivers have got used to the impact of the works, and made travel adjustments, it may well turn out that those delays are a bit better than the modelling suggests.
Transport Canberra says the temporary (??) timetable is based on the modelling and an effort to ensure reliability. That would imply more of a pessimistic than an optimistic view of the accuracy of the modelling. The problem for TC would be the consequences of delays proving to be considerably less or more than the modelling estimates,
It really is a case of wait and see.
Once schools and universities kick back into gear that'll shake things up a more for sure. I was looking at some of these intervals with a raised eyebrow too.
Quote from: AnotherBusDriver on January 28, 2026, 10:49:14 PMIs it just me or does 27 minutes between city interchange and barton seem like overkill?
Based on the article in The Canberra Times (https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9157503/new-canberra-bus-timetable-adds-to-back-to-school-chaos/), the traffic modelling is predicting an additional 13 minutes southbound on Commonwealth Ave in the morning peak.
I've had a closer look at the Rapid timetables, some of the times seem quite overkill, especially off peak. Although two routes that caught my eye were the R5 and R6 and wow they are long services. Currently during morning peak an R2 service from Fraser to Fyshwick is scheduled to take 1 hour and 27 minutes (this is based off the school holiday timetable which may have time differences compared to the regular timetable) while a morning peak R5 service in peak takes 1 hour and 38 minutes and an R6 service 1 hour and 36 minutes. Now remember the whole reason why they cut the R2/3 local sections was because they were "too long", yet the R5/6 services are even longer than the R2 was? Yes I get the R2 probably would have taken even longer again with bridge works if it wasn't cut but the R5/6 are still long services. Heck even the R4 is scheduled to take nearly 90 minutes to get from Belconnen to Tuggeranong in morning peak :o
Also seems like none of the new timetables are available on journey planners or anytrip yet, hopefully that's fixed before Monday.
Quote from: Barry Drive on January 29, 2026, 09:35:29 AMBased on the article in The Canberra Times (https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9157503/new-canberra-bus-timetable-adds-to-back-to-school-chaos/), the traffic modelling is predicting an additional 13 minutes southbound on Commonwealth Ave in the morning peak.
I go along Parkes Way throughout the day, including both peak times. I'm seeing less traffic on Commonwealth Avenue. Next to no one is also joining Parkes Way West from Commonwealth Avenue.
However, the afternoon Russell traffic jam is getting worse. As is Limestone Avenue in the morning.
Had my first experience of it tonight as I had not travelled that far north since the end of last year. I came up on the R4 around 5:30pm and at first was worried after coming around Parliament House with the huge lineup of cars there were, but surprised it only took 5 minutes to push through it all. I suspect however the R4 prior to the one I got was stuck for longer because we ended up overtaking it - that or it was packed. Whilst sitting at the Coronation Dr intersection I did notice a lot of cars going towards Russell.
I probably missed the worst of it, but I'm sure I'll get to see the worse once my uni studies resume.
Quote from: L94UBbusfan on January 29, 2026, 11:18:01 AMAlso seems like none of the new timetables are available on journey planners or anytrip yet, hopefully that's fixed before Monday.
Not sure how they did it considering it wasn't there last night, but it seems like Anytrip is showing data, but it's a bit broken at the moment showing everything as 50+ minutes late. It was doing this a few weeks ago too but it fixed itself around 9am so hopefully it does the same this time round, but it works. Google Maps is also now showing PT data as well.
Uhh, this is going to make things a little difficult
(https://i.imgur.com/eRR7N2R.png)
Quote from: L94UBbusfan on February 02, 2026, 08:04:23 AMit seems like Anytrip is showing data, but it's a bit broken at the moment showing everything as 50+ minutes late. It was doing this a few weeks ago too but it fixed itself around 9am so hopefully it does the same this time round
You pretty much called it. Between 1000 & 1030, the problem seems to have been fixed. Looks like real-time tracking is now accurate.
Morning stuff is still screwed, hopefully tomorrow is better.
Transport Canberra contacted developers at 12:30pm to advise the GTFS data had been updated.
They are still advising on Facebook their own app and journey planner has still not been updated.
Quote from: Barry Drive on February 02, 2026, 10:53:52 AMYou pretty much called it. Between 1000 & 1030, the problem seems to have been fixed. Looks like real-time tracking is now accurate.
I wasn't checking as I've been busy today, but around 3:15ish Anytrip crapped itself again and now every run is showing as 10-30 minutes late. Last time this happened (5th January) it was fixed by 9am and wasn't an issue for the rest of the day, not sure what happened this time round. (EDIT: This issue was fixed around 5pm this evening)
Regarding actual bus allocations, it's really good for me personally. While it'll take a few days for allocations to become more consistent, the good news is I'm seeing HEAPS of STAG/Artics on the R4, heck a standard bus is uncommon now which is good capacity wise. I'm also seeing a lot more artics than I thought on the R6 and R10, and also for me there are a fair few Woden/Tuggeranong buses around Belconnen/Gungahlin that I can catch. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try some of these out tomorrow.
Oh my god I am so glad I'm not a bike user anymore. They're really taking this stag/artic use during peak to heart. Tuggeranong bike users are going to have to suffer now with up to an hour (or sometimes longer) waits between racked buses on the R4 and R5 between 6-10am, this is horrendous.
Nevermind, it keeps getting worse and it's not just Tuggeranong...
It's only an extra 15 minutes to ride from City to Tuggeranong then it is to catch the bus. That's going by Google Maps. Except for wet weather, when is someone cycling to work & catching the bus home?
I can see where 3 steertags in a row ran R4S. It's better to ran a stag on an R4 in peak then suburban route.
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on February 03, 2026, 11:14:40 AMThey're really taking this stag/artic use during peak to heart. Tuggeranong bike users are going to have to suffer now with up to an hour (or sometimes longer) waits between racked buses on the R4 and R5 between 6-10am, this is horrendous.
Capacity wise, having the R4/5 as majority STAG/Artic is great, but geez I forgot the STAGs don't have bike racks. I looked into it and if you have a bike and want to catch the R5 northbound, there isn't a single bus with a bike rack between 6:15-8am :o the R4 northbound is just as bad, no racked buses between 7:03-8:39am. Although I suppose the R5 isn't as bad as you can get an 80/81 to Tuggeranong then get an R4.
Went out today and I definitely have some thoughts about this updated timetable. Firstly there were several buses which got stuck in traffic at Radford (including mine), which led to the following services being very late, one in particular was 15 minutes late and had the following service overtake it. While the traffic isn't the timetable's fault, it is the timetable's fault that the runs are bundled so tightly that there's less than 10 minutes between route and it isn't allowing for traffic (outside of the bridge works, which seems like the allocated time is pretty accurate). Secondly from what I saw today and what I've been seeing on the Anytrip capacity indicators most Gungahlin loop services are packed, mainly because they've cut a service per hour on each of the loops. Not sure about the loops elsewhere, but I'd assume its the same
Radford will be a first day of school issue rather than an ongoing issue, I believe a lot of private schools used a traditional new students on Monday and returning students Tuesday rather than the government schools Friday/monday
Yeah man look at all those stags, sheesh. My worst nightmare from my CIT days has finally come true, I'm getting PTSD from the day I had to wait 45 minutes for a racked bus - although that was back when artics didn't have them either. When is Lightrail coming to Tuggeranong again?
(https://i.imgur.com/wNgRMue.png)
I arrived at the Learmonth Dr stop (#2) this evening to see the bike rack being full for the first time in like ever... I wonder if it was because the people who put them there would usually take their bike to work, have a cycle during their break and then ride home but couldn't because their normal routine has now being screwed over by a dramatic increase of rackless buses... time will tell I guess.
So I'm seeing now that, yes, I was wrong to think that the whole network would be affected (I mean how was I supposed to know that without seeing it in action...), I will need to make another adjustment to my passenger warning or remove it depending on the other thing I'm seeing. So after yesterday's newsworthy catastrophe, I've noticed a ton of rapids throughout the day running 15-30 minutes early. Did they after all that planning end up unintentionally allocating way too much additional time to get through the Commonwealth Avenue stuff or is it the crappy gps that's still acting up?
So far I'm very displeased with the changes that affect me, mostly because of the reduced R4 frequency - the last change where it becomes a non-rapid after 7pm was annoying enough to deal with, so now it's weekend frequency but with stags and artics. It's only day 2 and I've already noticed significant connection issues that are going to force me to rethink everything/leave home earlier again... again.
Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on February 03, 2026, 10:28:25 PMSo far I'm very displeased with the changes that affect me, mostly because of the reduced R4 frequency - the last change where it becomes a non-rapid after 7pm was annoying enough to deal with, so now it's weekend frequency but with stags and artics. It's only day 2 and I've already noticed significant connection issues that are going to force me to rethink everything/leave home earlier again... again.
I'm also extremely unhappy with the changes made, while yes the bus allocations are much better for me, the frequencies definitely aren't. I just realised if I want to get to where I'm going on time, I have to leave home at 7:15am (used to be able to leave as late as 8am before btw) because the 26 afterwards is always over 5 minutes late and packed, meaning I miss the R8 connection. But if I leave at 7:15, then I arrive in Gungahlin way too early, I really can't win.
Today the 26 I caught was probably the most packed and overcrowded bus I've ever been on. I hopped on at the Gundaroo Dr stop and the bus was relatively full (standing room only). I thought "hey they've cut frequencies, it's a busy time, fair enough the bus is almost full". That was until we reached JPC, and a whole other bus load boarded an already standing room only bus. The driver actually had to stop people boarding at Casey, the bus couldn't physically fit another human on board it was THAT full. I had people pushing up against me on both sides. I wondered why they were all on my bus, then I realised the 26 before departs 1 minute after school ends, so all the students are forced to wait nearly 45 minutes for the next bus, because someone thought it was a good idea to time the buses so that the JPC students would miss the 26 before by a minute, and cut the dedicated 26 that started at JPC. Not to mention the bus ended up around 15 minutes late. I'm considering putting in a complaint to TC about this because it is disgraceful that an unsafe amount of passengers are forced to cram onto one standard bus because of the horrible planning, not to mention the risks of leaving patrons behind forcing them to wait another 40 minutes for a bus (if they're lucky, because half of the 25/26 services are running quite late because the services are packed because they've cut frequencies). This service needs an artic at least, if not another extra dedicated JPC 26 school bus like what was in place before, because this is not ok.
This is why most Canberrans drive. No point when they play with the timetable every year.
I'm seeing an increase in cars coming from Belconnen, Inner North, Gungahlin & Monaro Highway heading towards the National Triangle & Russell Offices. Make of that as you will.
So true. They keep saying they want to encourage people to stop using cars and use the buses with each new network, but people won't when they keep doing sh*t like this - and because those people opt out and keep using their cars, the rest of us suffer because TC aren't getting the actual valuable myway data to design the future networks...
Something I've been wondering is when, if ever, TC plan to resume pre-Covid peak frequencies on local routes. Looking back at my old Network 14 timetable book, many local routes used to run every 15-20 minutes during the morning and evening peak, with hourly frequencies in the middle of the day. This contrasts with the current, post-Covid practice of half-hourly local services the whole day with little to no added frequency during the peak.
Perhaps the pre-Covid frequencies will never return. For example, one could argue the trade-off for half-hourly services during the daytime means there is no capacity to "surge" local route frequencies during the morning and afternoon peak. Furthermore, the addition of multiple Rapids beyond the old Red and Blue rapids since Network 2019 also may also mean there is less capacity for this.
Hopefully we will see a return to pre-Covid peak frequencies in local routes after the Commonwealth Bridge strengthening is finished, but the situation of half-hourly local routes during the peak preceded the bridge works and has persisted on my count for at least the last four to five years. Given that, perhaps we need to accept those old local frequencies are a relic of the past.
If I remember correctly, the justification is because most people work from home.
I know one Federal Department, you're free to work from home whenever you want. If you're WFH or the office, you can start work anywhere from 6-10am. You just have to work your 8 hours each day.
In 2028/29 we are due for the next big decade network redesign.
I know I've posted this network map here before, but I wanted to post again to highlight the estimates I've done in the background to determine the rough bus allocations required to run this suggested network. First of all, I think the premise of the current network to funnel as many services onto the Commonwealth Ave bridge is flawed. I think a proper network redesign should prioritise trips away from this area to reduce the demand of services that traverse this choke point. Below is the redesigned network map:
Route map:
(https://imgur.com/3FRxxHE.jpg) (https://imgur.com/3FRxxHE)
And following is my rough estimates for the allocations required to run each network (looking only at the affected routes). I've created two separate tables for route duration and frequency for both peak and interpeak. Trip times are taken from the previous and current timetables and estimated for the suggested network. The buses required for each route are determined by the route duration (including 10 min each end for turnaround time) * the frequency (rounded up to the nearest whole number) to get the buses required each hour. I know the calculation is crude, but applied consistently across the three networks. I hope this can demonstrate that we can do better to provide a decent service and that thinking outside of the box can help us deliver far better outcomes for public transport users and commuters in Canberra.
Peak allocation comparison:
(https://imgur.com/iqDN4g4.jpg) (https://imgur.com/iqDN4g4)
Inter-peak allocation comparison:
(https://imgur.com/Q8dElpX.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Q8dElpX)
Now, we just need a way to get this type of thinking to the powers that be, to advocate for better services when they review the network in light of current trip data.
So there's a times adjustment happening tomorrow or whatever. Would I be correct in assuming that shifts won't be changing when school term resumes?
Is it just me or was it communicated with the public that the 54 & 55 moved platforms in City Interchange?
I know a lot of signage elsewhere hasn't changed. Particularly the 56 showing on the Russell bollards on weekends.
I had to check my emails to be sure, as far as I can tell there was no information provided about it. I just checked the Wayback Machine to see the timetables and maps on the website between 2 February and March (as it's since been updated) and strangely I cannot access any of the new timetables as it keeps redirecting to 2025 versions - even when I put the new link in.
I don't ride those routes very often, but even though I'm in the City a lot, it still took me 5 weeks after the new network to notice that those routes were going towards platform 9 after spotting them turning off of Rimmer street instead of going straight like the ANU Loop - as I would've assumed they'd do.
Re routes 54 and 55. I hadn't noticed this either. (Unfortunately, recent usage was from the Canberra Centre.) The change is logical to accommodate the new Rimmer St starting point and use of the normal Alinga St route. Is the phasing of traffic lights more favourable through the Alinga St route than the Rudd St route? Traffic also seems to be an issue at times at the Bunda - Mort Sts intersection for the right turn needed by buses going this way.
Perhaps there was/is signage at the former platform redirecting customers? Agree that the users should apparently have been better informed. Hurrying to the wrong platform can cost a missed service.
Another announcement today from Transport Canberra about network improvements (https://www.transport.act.gov.au/news/news-and-events-items/may-2026/bus-network-improvements) taking place from Monday July 20th.
Quote from: Transport CanberraChanges to Rapid and local services
Rapid 2
Reinstate services between the Fraser terminus and Fyshwick.
Maintain existing frequency.
Reintroduce services departing Kippax at 5:36 am and Belconnen at 5:33 am.
Rapid 3
Reinstate services between Spence and the Canberra Airport.
Maintain existing frequency.
Rapid 4
Commence earlier from Tuggeranong at 5:31 am.
Additional services between Woden and Belconnen during the morning peak period.
Additional services between the City and Tuggeranong in the afternoon peak period.
Rapid 5
Additional service in the morning peak period to help to service demand on Athllon Drive.
Rapid 6
Additional services to support school-day transport in the morning peak period southbound and one additional northbound service from Woden in the afternoon.
Route 19
Additional afternoon service between existing services at 3:51 pm and 4:31 pm.
Route 26
Additional morning service to support student patronage, departing Casey Shops at 7:16 am.
Additional afternoon service commencing at John Paul College at approximately 3:43 pm.
Route 56
Reinstate travel along Kings Avenue Bridge (instead of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge).
Route 63
Service at 2:45 pm to leave later, allowing access for students of Arawang Primary School.
Route 66
Service departing Woden at 2:32 pm to be moved later, allowing access for students of Evelyn Scott School.
Route 81
Service departing Tuggeranong at 2:42 pm to be moved later, aligning with Gordon Primary School's 3:00 pm bell time.
There have also been some timing changes with school routes. No timetables as of yet but they will obviously be released closer to the date of the changes as we are still 2 months away.
Obviously the biggest change is the R2/R3 suburban sections being reinstated which is really good for West Belconnen, although that has been known for a while now. It surprises me a bit that the R5/R6 will continue to terminate at Belconnen, but hey I'm not complaining at all. Not quite sure why they changed the 56 to use Commonwealth Ave bridge instead of Kings Ave bridge in the first place but the 56 is now back on Kings Ave bridge with this update. There was no info about whether the R4 will continue to receive high capacity buses either, hopefully that remains the case although I've been seeing several Tuggeranong STAG/Artic runs occasionally being operated by standards (some more than others, especially today for some reason)
While I do appreciate the extra 19 and 26 services as the existing services at those times are packed, it's still not good enough. I'm quite disappointed to see that all loop services have remained at a 40 minute frequency, I don't think I've been on a 25/26 service since the frequency cuts that hasn't been standing room only, or near standing room only.
The 40 & 42 are included in those loop frequencies. These routes use to be the 313 & 314 that had the 15 minute Intertown frequencies. Where's the uproar about these routes?
But i wonder what happened about the reasoning behind the splitting. Traffic hasn't disappeared, being winter it'll get worse.
Surprised nothing has been done about the afternoon City to Belconnen leg. Whilst I drive past the Barry Drive ANU stop, just about every day I see a sea of buses leaving the City displaying "BUS FULL".