ACTION bus services in the ACT will get $24 million and face a review, under the Territory's Budget
June 6, 2013
The ACTION bus service in the nation’s capital will get $24 million and face a review, under the 2013-2014 Australian Capital Territory Budget, released this week.
According to the Territory’s government, the funding will give ACTION financial footing for the next two years and help it plan its future network.
At the same time ACTION will be subject to a comprehensive review of all aspects of its business.
Government hopes the review will result in ACTION meeting the government’s sustainable transport targets.
The territory’s
Budget also provides $275,000 to trial fare discounts and extended off-peak periods.
$620,000 will be provided over four years to reduce the qualifying age from 75 to 70 for a Seniors Gold Card.
About $2.5 million has been set aside for the design of a new bus interchange at Woden.
There is $2 million in funding for bus stop upgrades to improve access, particularly for seniors and people with disabilities, and to ensure Canberra meets national disability compliance targets.
And $190,000 will go toward the design and installation of digital displays at major bus stations and new display boards at bus stops, as part of the upcoming real-time information system.
The first of these digital displays should be operating by the end of the year.
The funding of $190,000 is in addition to $2.8
million over four years in recurrent funding for the real-time information implementation.
$250,000 is set to go to ACTION’s bus seat refurbishment program, $2.6 million to the management of the MyWay system, and $275,000 to upgrade CCTV systems across all ACTION bus stations.
Another $250,000 will go to the refurbishment of the Belconnen bus depot, $300,000 to upgrade the Belconnen workshop areas, and $250,000 for the refurbishment of Tuggeranong bus depot.
$475,000 will be used to continue ACTION’s program of reconditioning and replacing major components including bus engines, transmissions and differentials.
$410,000 will be spent on the continuation of the free Centenary bus loop between the Parliamentary Triangle and Civic until December 31, 2013.