Transport Canberra has announced a new network of routes for the city and its surrounds
Transport Canberra will be adding seven new services to the already part-established rapid bus network, bringing the total number of routes to nine.
As well as the current Gungahlinto Fyshwick red line, and the soon-to-be-completed Kippax to Lanyon blue line, Woden, Tuggeranong, Barton, and Belconnen will be better linked with at least two rapid connections each.
A Woden-City via Barton line and a Belconnen-Gungahlin line are scheduled to be operational next year, while a Woden-City via Western Creek and Belconnen-Watson via Dickson route should commence running during 2018.
Transport Canberra also plans to run lines from:
- Tuggeranong to City via Erindale (2019)
- Lanyon to Airport via Barton (2020)
- Belconnen to Airport via City (2020)
Minister for transport and city services Meegan Fitzharris says the new rapid bus services will complement the planned light rail developments.
“The Rapid Bus Network will integrate high frequency buses with the first and future stages of light rail as well as other regular and peak express services,” Fitzharris says.
“During 2015 and 16, blue rapid services carried more than four million passengers, and the red rapid carried more than one million passengers.
“Next year we will double our Rapid Bus Network, and we have a clear plan to roll out more rapid services.”
Once the first stage of light rail between the city and Gungahlin is complete, the red rapid line will be shortened to cover Fyshwick to the city without overlapping the rail.
Fitzharris says the bus and rail development is only part of what the ACT government has planned.
“These improvements to the Rapid Bus Network will be on top of our plans to deliver light rail, trial electric buses, reform our ticketing system, build more park and rides and bike and rides, regulate innovative new services like ride sharing and car sharing, smart parking and autonomous vehicles.”
The network will also include a new depot north of Canberra, as well as 80 new buses and at least 100 new jobs.
Map provided by Transport Canberra/ACT government:
