The GCC has been pursuing the issue of poor bus services in most of the new (and some not so new) suburbs of Gungahlin. We have written to the minister, received her reply and recently had a meeting with Transport Canberra staff on May 7 to get an update on the promised community consultation on the new bus network in conjunction with the introduction of light rail. A summary of what we covered in the meeting, provided by Transport Canberra is below.
For more information check out the results of the Phase 1 consultation:
Building a Better, Seven Day Bus Network for Our Community
Update for Gungahlin Community Council, May 2018
Top issues raised by GCC in Stage 1 consultation
Strong response from Gungahlin residents during consultation on the new bus network in
late 2017.
- The main issue raised was the provision of public transport services to new suburbs and the growing importance of the Casey Group Centre as a destination for local residents. Both these points will be addressed in the proposed network.
- A high proportion of responses from Moncrieff and the adjacent suburb of Ngunnawal indicate a desire for more or improved services to and from these areas.
Where is the project up to?
Transport Canberra is working on a proposed new bus network, building on the community’s desire for a more frequent bus network with services running more often, seven days a week. Key features of the new bus network will include:
Simplicity
- All-day, seven day network with the same route numbers all week.
- Routes designed to be used all week, not just during Monday to Friday peak periods.
- Fewer specialised services, such as dedicated school services and peak express service
Coverage
- Ensuring that over 95% of the population can access public transport, based on distance of 500m to a local service stop and 800m to a Rapid stop.
- Expanded bus service hours
- Clear distinction between Rapids (between town centres) local services (for local trips and connections to Rapids)
Better integration with emerging service models
- New service models to compliment the bus network, such as in isolated areas and late at
night when regular route services are not a good fit - Introduction of new technology including autonomous vehicles
TCCS is working with the Education Directorate to better understand school catchments and better understand how the new bus network can serve student needs. In response to the matters raised consistently by the GCC, the new network will also include:
- Planning for new routes in new suburbs (Moncrieff/Taylor/Throsby)
- A new link between Crace and Palmerston Primary School
- A new regional bus network, with services to the town centre including connections to the
- City via Light Rail or to Belconnen via the proposed Black Rapid
- Exploring options to link Gungahlin with other centres
- A new school bus network for the region, building on the more frequent local and Rapid
route network - Consideration of how bus layover and interchanging at Gungahlin will work with the new
network and start of light rail.
When will TCCS tell us more?
More detail is coming in mid-2018. We will be in touch with the GCC as soon as we have more to share about the detail of the new network.
How can Gungahlin residents provide feedback in the meantime?
The YourSay website includes a summary of what we have heard from the community so far (https://www.yoursay.act.gov.au/rapid-network-2018). Further information on phase 2 will be coming soon. Any questions? Please contact us at TCCS.TCNetwork2018@act.gov.au.
This a backward step… no peak express services, local buses only going to the interchange so no more 2xx services going to the city or other locations. This is what happened in the 80s & early 90s. I can tell you I’m not getting on a bus down the street and then having to change to the light rail or another bus and fighting for a seat with all the other passengers from all the other local buses dumping passengers at the interchange in the middle of winter or in the rain or on a hot summers day waiting for the connecting bus/tram. When today I can catch a bus in the next street and get a seat and stay on that bus all the way to my destination without having to change buses and be exposed to the weather
Crace bus to Palmerston school is absolutely critical as there is no return route in the incomplete service that ACTION has started now.
Please divert all 54/254 routes and start a dedicated school bus from Crace to Palmerston school.
Palmerston was nominated as the PEA school by ACT Government themselves so it is their responsibility to provide a school bus.