Released 17/09/2019
A package of measures have been put in place to improve the reliability of weekend bus services.
"We know that if Canberrans plan a bus trip, they expect that bus to turn up. We listened to the community and we have developed a roadmap that sets out 10 measures to improve reliability for public transport users," Minister Steel said.
The actions are spread across five themes - bus driver recruitment; improving information for customers; improving workforce planning; improving operational business practices; and the weekend timetable update.
A key short-term action will be introducing the interim weekend timetable on 28 September while bus driver recruitment efforts are improved. The details of the new timetable will be released later this week and will see the retention of frequent Rapid services - which make up 70% of boardings - as well as extended hours of coverage with some reduction to local services.
"The action plan outlines a range of adjustments to improve recruitment efforts which will help deliver incremental increases to the frequency of local services. This includes transitioning from an annual recruitment campaign to a continuous campaign as well as prioritising candidates interested in weekend work," Minister Steel said.
"Positive steps are already underway with a total of 68 new drivers signed up for training since 29 April, with 36 of these now on the road driving buses. A further 250 applications have been received since mid-July 2019."
Other measures under the action plan include:
- increased use of stand-by drivers on weekends to cover unexpected absences or incidents such as breakdowns
- improving rostering of bus drivers such as providing longer shifts which are more attractive for bus drivers to work on weekends
- providing better real-time information to customers about weekend bus services including through new apps and deployment of more customer service assistants at interchanges
- continuing work to finalise a workforce development plan to better manage staffing availability, training and workforce planning.
"I am confident these range of short-term, medium-term and longer-term actions will deliver an improved weekend bus service while also providing a range of improvements which will benefit future weekday bus services as well," Minister Steel said.
A copy of the Action Plan is available at www.transport.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases
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