New transport strategy - connecting Canberrans to their city

[Buzz Killington]

A seven-day bus timetable and increased frequency of bus services on both suburban and main transport corridors are the centrepiece of a new Transport for Canberra Strategy, launched today by Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell.

"The Transport for Canberra Strategy demonstrates how the ACT Labor Government intends to meet the challenges of a growing city and deliver major improvements in the way Canberrans get around our city in a sustainable way," the Chief Minister said.

"The key aims of this document are to reduce congestion on our roads and increase patronage on public transport networks to reduce carbon emissions and become a more sustainable city into the future," the Chief Minsiter said.

"A new seven-day timetable structure that moves away from the weekday/weekend timetable and has a consistent and reliable bus network that can be trusted every day of the week is crucial to building community confidence and therefore increasing patronage on public transport," Mr Corbell said.

"We also need to ensure that buses operating within this timetable structure will be frequent enough that people can get around the city in a timely and efficient way and also integrate quickly between regular suburban services to buses that transit between town and group centres."

The key features of the Transport for Canberra Strategy include:

    § 15 minute frequency public transport on the Frequent Network;
    § 30 minute frequency public transport services within a 5-10 minute walk of everyone by 2021;
    § public transport infrastructure: transitways, stations, park and ride and mass transit options like light rail or rapid bus transit;
    § cycling and walking supported by a more compact city through integration of transport and land use planning;
    § increasing public transport, walking and cycling to 23% of work trips by 2016; and,
    § ring roads for traffic that integrate with central road corridors for public transport.

The ACT Labor Government is continuing to deliver strong investments in transport for Canberra's future with new and improved bus stops and cycling routes around the Territory including:

    600 upgraded stops by the end of 2012;
    12 major new stops at high patron locations by the end of 2012 and 8 additional stops by mid 2013;
    A very large 'Rapid' bus stop to be constructed at the ANU Exchange; and,
    30km of new cycle paths across the ACT.

The Government has announced consultation on five new potential sites for bike and ride facilities across Canberra as well as six new potential sites for park and ride facilities which will supplement many popular facilities already being highly utilised by Canberrans.

The Chief Minister said that the ACT Government had listened to the views of the community throughout the consultation period of the draft Transport for Canberra Strategy.

"We are listening to the community so we can build a better, more vibrant city and it is great to see so many Canberrans having their say on how they want to ACT Transport system to work in the future. The ACT Labor Government has taken these views on board and are incorporated into the final Strategy.

"The ACT Labor Government has already invested over $1 billion in the transport system in the past 10 years, with over $120 million committed during 2011-12 and this document clearly maps out how we will get more Canberrans using public transport," the Chief Minister said.

Mr Corbell said it was important to note that this was a long term strategy which would be rolled out progressively over the next 6-8 years, ensuring that all measures were implemented properly and wholistically.

"Further future investments will also be required and the Government will evaluate funding to roll out the features of this strategy in future budgets," he said.

"The ACT Labor Government's vision is that our city be recognised throughout the world as a truly sustainable and creative city and the Transport for Canberra is a key part of achieving that- creating a cleaner, more liveable, more accessible, more active and safer environment."


You can download a copy here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzCxhBE0EgTSdExBNUFHellTSi1Va25NMXRMS3UxZw/edit?pli=1

[Barry Drive]

From the editorial in today's Canberra Times:

Any improvement in bus services is to be welcomed, but those familiar with ACTION management's record, particularly in relation to union matters, know better than to expect that this will be straightforward reform or that it will be implemented promptly.

Link to full editorial

[Barry Drive]

Main changes in Indicative 2031 Public Transport Network between Draft and Final versions:

• Tuggeranong to Woden direct Rapid service retained (as a 15 minute frequency), but Erindale diversion remains as major Rapid route (2 services every 15 minutes);
• Drakeford Dr Frequent service re-routed through Kambah West;
• 3 bus stops on Adelaide Ave/Yarra Glen instead of 2 in draft;
• upgrade of Molonglo to City Rapid service to a 2-10 min frequency instead of 15 min;
• some tinkering with routes for Frequent services (although map still shows a right turn from Oodgeroo Av into Gungahlin Dr);
• coverage services upgraded to every 30 min by 2021, instead of up to 60 min.

Final version also specifially rules out using "smaller, more fuel efficient buses" preferring "large buses" without actually defining what constitutes a "large bus". I still maintain that a 10.5 metre bus (such as Bustech MDi) could play a role in Canberra - and would certainly be a vast improvement on the Dennis Dart.

[Bonnerbus]

I'm sorry, but how does it take 9 years to implement this?

[Bus 400]

Well for a start, ACTION have to replace the 100+ Renault's that are still plodding along & then on top of that purchase additional buses. Also before this is done, you've got to find additional storage room for these buses.
They've also got to hire more drivers & argue with the Union how all this is to be done.
All in the mean while, the Network is being expanded through Gungahlin & into Molonglo.

[Barry Drive]

I'm sorry, but how does it take 9 years to implement this?

Well for a start, ACTION have to replace the 100+ Renault's that are still plodding along & then on top of that purchase additional buses.

No they don't and no they don't. If you can run a 30 min (or better) frequency during peak + Xpressos and School Runs, then you have enough buses to run a 30 min frequency during off peak as well.

Also before this is done, you've got to find additional storage room for these buses.

No they don't, see above.

They've also got to hire more drivers & argue with the Union how all this is to be done.

Government wants to increase amount of work available for drivers - why would any Union oppose that? And I doubt that they would need more drivers, just make better use of the ones they've got now. A more frequent network should increase efficiency because buses can stay on the road for longer before having to return to the depot.

[route56]

Read what this clown has written about the new strategy.

http://www.actlightrail.info/2012/03/new-transport-for-sustainable-city-2012.html

[smitho]

Well for a start, ACTION have to replace the 100+ Renault's that are still plodding along & then on top of that purchase additional buses...quote

Beg to differ...Renaults don't plod....they gurgle along !...in between hisses and other unmentionable noises from the depths.