Plans for buses 'fly in face of promises'

[Buzz Killington]

by Graham Downie


A lack of strategic planning and more than half of ACTION's proposed new bus routes having a 60-minute base frequency has concerned public transport advocate, the ACT Transit Group.

Spokesman Ian Cooper said yesterday the group's submission to ACTION had highlighted duplication of some proposed Tuggeranong services while others retained a 60-minute base frequency.

Of 53 services proposed to begin in Canberra on April 28, 27 would retain the present 60-minute base frequency.

"That flies in the face of promises," he said, adding it appeared ACTION had relied excessively on computerised scheduling, leading to unnecessary dead running and a lack of reasonable services to some areas.

These included Curtin, Weston Creek, Cook, Macquarie and Aranda.

Under the proposed new services, some apparently well-patronised express services would be cancelled while other poorly patronised services would continue.

There was an imbalance of resources, with Belconnen generally oversupplied and Weston Creek under serviced.

ACTION manager Liz Clarke said the 2500 items of feedback were being assessed but it was not yet possible to say if changes to the proposed network would occur.

Generally, it was felt people would be happy with the new network for which the final plan would be made public by the end of February. New timetables would be published by mid-April.

Ms Clarke said it was not possible to have more consultation.

The principle had been to simplify the new network, based on patronage and surveys, to make it more attractive to new users.

Ms Clarke acknowledged concern, particularly by some older bus users, about the proposal to move the Ainslie Avenue bus stop outside the Canberra Centre about 400m to Akuna Street, near Glebe Park.

She said consistent illegal parking outside the Canberra Centre meant buses could not get close to the kerb, creating a danger for passengers.

"People are not being responsible and they don't care," Ms Clarke said.

ACTION was very aware changes created difficulties, particularly for older people.

ACTION would speak with people affected by the proposed move of the bus stop.

If the move occurred, it would coincide with the introduction of the new network on April 28.

There has been no response from parking operations on a request yesterday for details about the number of parking infringement notices issued to vehicles parked illegally near the existing Canberra Centre bus stop.

Other concerns about the new bus network include the need for more Gungahlin residents to change buses when travelling to Civic.

Mr Cooper said this was a disincentive to bus travel, particularly with only a small bus shelter and two open seats at the Gungahlin Marketplace.

It also seemed there was insufficient kerb space for the proposed interchanging.

He said the timetable for the new network was crucial.

"We still have no idea of ACTION's definition of off peak," he said.

"If it is like 2006, we are in for trouble."

Neither was it known whether weekend services would be improved.

Canberra was the only city of this size with such late starts and early finishes for public transport on weekends.

"It is quite astounding," he said.

Canberra's bus service would never improve greatly while run at a relatively low level within a government department.

Ms Clarke said there had been an enthusiastic response to the introduction of services to commercial developments around the Canberra Airport.

Other improvements would include a 15-minute frequency along Northbourne Avenue.

A survey by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services found people rated personal safety with ACTION at 87 per cent, customer service by bus drivers 93 per cent and overall customer service at 90 per cent.

Territory and Municipal Services Minister John Hargreaves said ACTION and the ACT Government were working hard to build a better bus service.

[Irisbus Rider]

Yeah, you can't please everybody with this new network, but then again, does it please anyone?

[Busnerd]

me!

[Buzz Killington]

no complaints here

[Jack Bauer]

i rarely catch 'em so i dont care lol

[Buzz Killington]

i might start catching it once the express routes start up here