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#71
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by Bus 400 - December 06, 2025, 04:49:34 PMLRV 2 (R1)
573 (R4)
646 (71)
801 (R7)
460 (51)
573 (R4)
646 (71)
801 (R7)
460 (51)
#72
Routes and Timetables / Re: Network update from Monday...
Last post by Bus 400 - December 06, 2025, 04:41:34 PMIt'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.
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.
#73
Routes and Timetables / Re: Network update from Monday...
Last post by CBRFlyer - December 06, 2025, 02:07:20 PMI 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.
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.
#74
Photo of the Month / Photo of the Year - Round 1
Last post by Barry Drive - December 06, 2025, 12:01:33 PMSince it's now December, that means time for the Photo of the Year vote. This year, with runners-up, there will be a total of 30 photos being voted on - with 10 photos in each preliminary voting round.
Photos have been mixed to have an even number of monthly winners and runners-up, with the photo selections and order further randomised (with assistance from http://random.org)
We are aiming for 9 photos for the final round of voting, so the top 3 photos will advance each round.
Here are the first 10 photos:
1. Bus 438
2. Bus 350
3. Bus 748
4. Bus 373
5. Bus 891
6. Bus 357
7. Tram 015
8. Bus 319
9. Bus 531
10. Bus 817
Photos have been mixed to have an even number of monthly winners and runners-up, with the photo selections and order further randomised (with assistance from http://random.org)
We are aiming for 9 photos for the final round of voting, so the top 3 photos will advance each round.
Here are the first 10 photos:
1. Bus 438
2. Bus 350
3. Bus 748
4. Bus 373
5. Bus 891
6. Bus 357
7. Tram 015
8. Bus 319
9. Bus 531
10. Bus 817
#75
Routes and Timetables / Re: Network update from Monday...
Last post by Buzz Killington - December 06, 2025, 11:52:20 AMIt'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.
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.
#76
Routes and Timetables / Re: Network update from Monday...
Last post by CBRFlyer - 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.
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.
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.
#77
Fleet / Re: 94 new Battery Electric Bu...
Last post by triumph - December 06, 2025, 12:21:44 AMQuote from: L94UBbusfan on December 05, 2025, 05:50:23 PMIt's an interesting question because when I rode 840 a week after it entered service it only had 1018kms on the odometer, which is less than the roughly 1200kms from the Yutong centre in Brisbane to Canberra. ......
That implies it probably came from Melbourne or Sydney, or if it had done full shifts, then by low loader,
#78
Routes and Timetables / Re: Network update from Monday...
Last post by triumph - December 05, 2025, 11:01:20 PMSome 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.
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.
#79
Routes and Timetables / Network update from Monday 2 F...
Last post by L94UBbusfan - December 05, 2025, 08:15:25 PMToday it was announced by Chris Steel that an updated bus network will start on the 2nd of February next year (2026)
My thoughts
If 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 actually should 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
)
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.
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.There are also some school route changes (nothing super serious though) and the network map has also been released.
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
My thoughts
If 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 actually should 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
)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. #80
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by L94UBbusfan - December 05, 2025, 06:02:39 PM392 (25)
481 (R8)
894 (R2) - First ride on an 89_ Yutong
499 (30)
481 (R8)
894 (R2) - First ride on an 89_ Yutong
499 (30)