Transport Canberra to be created to run the city’s bus and future light rail networks from 2016
Australia Capital Territory’s (ACT) bus and future light rail network will be run from a single agency called Transport Canberra effective from the start of 2016.
Transport Canberra’s role will be to ensure smooth integration of bus and light rail into a convenient, efficient, affordable and reliable network.
The organisation will be responsible for redistributing more than a million bus kilometres freed up when the first stage of light rail begins running.
It will also be responsible for integrating buses with light rail, ensuring a single ticketing system, a central contact for information and coordinated timetabling.
The establishment of the new agency is part of the ACT Government’s Public Transport Improvement Plan, which is designed to make sure we have a convenient public transport network to manage congestion in Canberra.
“Transport Canberra, as a single transport agency merging both ACTION and Capital Metro, will ensure integration between buses, light rail and other transport modes. It will deliver a seamless and convenient multimodal public transport network,” says minister assisting the chief minister on transport reform Shane Rattenbury.
“Transport Canberra’s mandate is to deliver the ACT Government’s vision of a quality public transport system that is convenient, efficient, affordable, reliable and integrated.
“The Public Transport Improvement Plan commits to creating a Canberra-wide public transport system that is a genuine alternative to driving.
“The plan also promises substantial new investments in public transport services and innovations. This means more convenient public transport services for all Canberrans.
“It is also a smart and proactive response to Canberra’s future challenges, such as population growth, pollution, congestion and energy security.”
Under the plan, changes and innovation will begin in the bus network right away.
The introduction of free Wi-Fi on buses will start this year.
In 2016, there will be a trial of a system where weekend bus services are complemented by an on-demand taxi service to pick up commuters from suburban stops and take them to join a major bus route.
Bike racks will also be added to more buses in the first half of next year.
Included in the statement is the Government’s commitment to Stage 1 of the light rail service which will operate in the busy Gungahlin to City corridor.
Buses, taxis and active travel will also play a critical role and the government is committed to improve Action’s coverage across the city as early as 2016.
To drive these changes forward, Transport Canberra will be established to ensure the successful integration and implementation of public transport in Canberra.
Transport Canberra will begin operating next year when light rail contract negotiations are complete.