Released 23/01/2023
The ACT Government is delivering the most comprehensive and future-focused infrastructure improvements to Canberra’s public transport system in our city’s history.
We’re reminding the community to ‘rethink your routine’ as construction ramps up on major infrastructure projects in the north and south of Canberra, including being aware of changes to the bus timetable beginning on 30 January.
“We’re keeping our promise to invest in major new infrastructure, including delivering light rail stage two and the CIT Woden project,” said Minister for Transport Chris Steel.
“These investments will keep Canberra moving and help us to avoid future traffic gridlock issues, which creates problems in so many other cities.
“This could mean taking public transport instead of driving, riding your bike, walking, using our city-wide e-scooter network or travelling by car outside peak times to alleviate congestion or save time and frustration on your commute.
“As we all get back to work, I strongly encourage Canberrans to connect with a Rapid bus or the light rail at one of our free Park and Rides.
“Rapid bus services operate at least every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.”
Minister Steel said Canberrans, particularly families preparing their kids to go back to school, should be aware of the new bus timetable, which takes effect from Monday 30 January. The new timetable includes adjustments to some school bus services to better meet school bell times. Extra time has been scheduled into bus journeys to accommodate extra journey times expected for buses running through the city, and this will change the scheduling of some services.
The construction of light rail stage two, together with other major public and private infrastructure projects, will cause traffic impacts across our network.
This will result in some unavoidable changes in bus service frequency, with some local services having to be reduced to an hourly off-peak frequency. However, a high-quality bus service will still be provided with:
- Rapid routes running at least every 15min between 7am to 7pm – with the exception of rapid 10, and the last services commencing between 10:30pm – 11:00pm;
- More than 70 per cent of local services running at least every 30min between 7am to 7pm, with the last services commencing between 10:00pm – 11:00pm.
“As we build the transport infrastructure today that is important for Canberra’s future there will be temporary disruption to the traffic network from the construction, whether you are commuting by car or by bus,” said Minister Steel.
“We have prioritised maintaining service frequency during peak periods when most of our customers travel, which will mean Rapids continue to run at least every 15 minutes.
“Work is also underway on the new, light rail ready, public transport interchange for CIT Woden, with a temporary bus interchange opening on Monday 30 January which will start operations with the new timetable.”
Local bus route changes will include:
- extension of route 31 into Lawson and U-turn at the roundabout until the Stockman Ave extension is completed
- adjustments to Gungahlin routes to service schools and provide better access to the Amaroo shops
- relocation of pick up and set down from Brierly Street, Cooleman Court to the main stops on Parkinson Street
- adjustments to Belconnen routes to allow a reduction in the use of Fraser West terminus to minimise impact on nearby residents
- reduced bus layovers at Denman Prospect
- adjustments for use of the Turner bus layover.
The ACT Government will be conducting a review of the new timetable in the middle of the year, once traffic impacts are realised and tested across our network.
For more information the new bus timetable, and for how to rethink your routine and plan your journey, please visit: www.transport.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases