Vote for Light Rail signs

With the 2016 Assembly Election in full campaign mode, members of ACT Light Rail donated enough money to buy signs to demonstrate our support for light rail, and the candidates that are campaigning for better public transport.

Although we have only a few thousand of these signs, any light rail supporter can print their own sign and display it. The files are roughly 600x900mm in size when printed, but you can print them at whatever size you desire to display in your home, office or car window. All signs carry appropriate authorisation to conform with the Electoral Act.

You can download them from here (click on links for the PDF files):

Vote for Light Rail
Light Rail and Hospitals - ACT Can do BOTH
Trapped in Traffic? Vote for Light Rail
Future Light Rail station here
Light rail for Belco makes sense
Light rail for Tuggers makes sense
Light rail for Woden makes sense

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.  

ACT Government release new rapid bus routes and bus expansion for 2017

The ACT Government today released details of new rapid bus routes and expansion to the ACTION Bus fleet, accompanied by funding details to support the expansion. These improvements to the bus network are aimed at increasing public transport patronage and have been planned to follow growth along public transport corridors. In time, several of these routes are likely to be replaced by light rail. The start of light rail service in late 2018 will free up over one million bus kilometres that can be allocated across the ACTION Bus network. It is the equivalent of buying a new fleet of buses and extra drivers.

The new routes include expansions of existing bus routes to enhance the 'rapid' aspect, and completely new routes. Importantly, funding is attached to the plans - $55 million for the services and $51 million for 80 new buses and a new depot to house them. This is a government announcement, not an election policy, with funding to be allocated in the pre-election budget update.

Buses and light rail will always coexist in an integrated transport plan, and we need to make sure we get maximum utility and value from our bus fleet. The big picture plan is that we need more people using public transport.  Light rail, more buses, better frequency, better routes. It's a very compelling plan, and achievable.

The only way to convince Canberrans to use public transport over the private car, is to offer reliable, frequent and attractive public transport. Bus fleet renewal, expanding the reach and frequency of bus services, integrating bus services with light rail and planning for future expansion provide that alternative. This will also lead to reduced travel times and reduced road congestion.

Seven new lines are added to the current Blue and Red Rapid services, with new services supporting Woden, Weston Creek and Canberra Airport every six minutes during peak times and every 15 minutes at other times. The network expansion starts with Belconnen to Gungahlin and Woden to the City rapid services commencing in 2017.

The announcement of new rapid services in 2017 follows on from last weeks announcement of extensions of the Blue Rapid bus from Lanyon to Kippax, and the introduction of a new ACTION Timetable on 27 August. In 2017 a new Green Rapid from Woden to the City via Manuka and Barton, and the Black Rapid from Belconnen to Gungahlin will commence. 

These new services will be phased in through to 2020.

• Woden to City via Weston Creek (2018)
• Belconnen to Watson via Dickson (2018)
• Tuggeranong to City via Erindale (2019)
• Lanyon to Airport via Barton (2020)
• Belconnen to Airport via City (2020)

It may appear as if these are simply extensions to existing routes, that is not correct.

• The Green Rapid is a new route from Woden to the City via Manuka and Barton
• The Grey Rapid is a new line that goes from Belconnen to Watson via Dickson
• The Purple Rapid is a new line that goes from Tuggeranong to Civic via Erindale, Woden and Barton
• The Pink Rapid is a new line that goes from Lanyon to the airport via Tuggeranong, Woden, Barton and Russell
• The Yellow Rapid is a new line that goes from Belconnen to the airport via Civic and Russell

Also important things to note about the new Rapid Network:

• All rapid services will run at least every 15 minutes everyday with increased frequency during peak periods
• The Blue Rapid now extends to Kippax and Lanyon
• The Black Rapid from Belconnen to Gungahlin will have increased frequency 
• These routes have most likely been planned thoroughly using data available to the government (MyWay, traffic)
• These routes have been depend on the fact that light rail will be implemented, which will free up more than 1.2 million kilometres of bus travel

Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris said "When people know that there's always going to public transport where they need it ... that really drives patronage," "That's exactly what these rapid bus services already do and what future rapid bus services will do."

Minister Fitzharris also said that the debate about Canberra being a car-centric city was over and more rapid bus routes were planned for Molonglo and Gungahlin as the population grew.

The new bus route plans differ markedly from the release earlier in 2016 of the Canberra Liberals bus plans, in that they are funded, are based on research and future population patterns, and integrate light rail services with future transport planning.

ACT Government media release
Canberra Times article 'ACT Govt announces seven new rapid bus routes in network overhaul' here
ABC News Online 'Labor reveal nine line Rapid Bus network for Canberra' here

WIN TV Canberra covered the announcement on the 29 August 6PM TV News

ABC TV Canberra covered the announcement on its 29 August 7PM TV News

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.  

Light Rail to Belconnen? Canberra Liberals say 'Yes'

Belconnen to Airport light rail route preferred by MLA Alistair Coe in 2013

Would the Canberra Liberals support a light rail Stage Two that followed the route the Canberra Liberals suggested in 2013? 

People think it is an accident that Canberra's suburbs have wide wide roads with large median strips, not realising that these are deliberate forward looking design strategies, dating from Walter Burley Griffins original design ethos and taken up by the NCDC in the 1960's, to cater for new transport modes as future needs arose. They have arisen, and light rail is being constructed from Gungahlin to Cvic along one of these reserves.

The road infrastructure from Belconnen is very high quality, and not yet at capacity though it will be placed under increasing pressure as West Belconnen, Lawson, and the Belconnen Town Centre itself fill out, and will be much worse in 10-15 years when the northern parts of Molonglo are built, and the Ginninderra Field Site is converted to residential housing.

One of the busiest ACTION Bus routes is the 300 series from Tuggeranong - Civic - Belconnen. It is so busy that a busway was proposed in the early 2000's. Much of the work proposed for that, including a buslane along Belconnen Way/Barry Drive has been completed along with two new bus stations, a dedicated bus turnoff into ANU and increased rapid bus services, now running to Kippax.

There are limits to the capacity that buses can move however, with a bus carrying around 80 people, and light rail vehicles carrying 220 people.

Yesterday the Keeping Canberra Moving report was released and it identified four possible Stage Two routes for light rail. One of these routes was to Belconnen, all the way too Kippax in West Belconnen.

In late 2013, Liberal MLA Alistar Coe, Shadow Transport Minister, suggested that instead of Gungahlin to Civic, that the first stage of Capital Metro should be Belconnen to the Airport, via Civic.

In a Canberra Times article from 2013 MLA Alistair Coe offered the following views:

Opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe has raised concerns about whether the government adequately considered other alternatives to the Civic/Gungahlin line.

Mr Coe said a line that ran from Belconnen to the University of Canberra, Calvary Hospital, the ANU, Civic, Constitution Avenue and the airport would be the busiest part of a light rail network.
"You look at what it does include … the four biggest educational campuses that we have, the city and Belconnen, the airport and Defence,'' he said.

"The opportunity cost of spending $600 million on a light rail project to Gungahlin is $600 million not spent on another light rail project, $600 million not spent on the hospital, or $600 million that's not returned to taxpayers,'' he said.

Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell said Mr Coe appeared to want a light rail line in his electorate of Ginninderra, which includes Belconnen.

Alistair Coe has also stated that there are absolutely no circumstances in which the Canberra Liberals would proceed with light rail. The question he needs to answer is this: Would the Canberra Liberals support a light rail Stage Two that followed the route the Canberra Liberals suggested in 2013? 

ACT Light Rail welcome cross party support for light rail in Canberra, and believe that it should extend to all parts of Canberra.

2016 Belconnen route from Transport Canberra 'Keeping Canberra Moving' report

2013 Belconnen route as recommended by MLA Alistair Coe

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.  

Four possible extensions identified for Stage Two of Canberra's light rail network

Belconnen, Woden, Parliamentary Triangle or the Airport are possible Stage Two routes

As well as commencing work on Capital Metro Stage One light rail, the ACT Government has undertaken consultation on an all of Canberra public transport network, comprised of light rail, buses and active transport. A major part of this was the 2015 draft Light Rail Master Plan (or Network Plan). That report identified possible extensions to the light rail network.

This consultation work has now been finalised, with the publication of the Keeping Canberra Moving report today.  This report is probably the last major piece of work ahead of an election announcement for a Stage Two. The Transport Canberra page for this report is here. 

People that responded to the consultation process identified the corridors that they favoured, based on those identified in the draft 2015 Light Rail Network plan. The report identified four possible extensions for Stage Two of the light rail network:

• Airport 
• Belconnen 
• Parliamentary Zone 
• Woden

The primary reason people gave for supporting their preferred corridor was to improve the integration and efficiency of the transport network and to better service employment centres. There was also support for Civic to be a central transport hub. 

The Canberra Times have reported on this as "Labor announces possible Canberra light rail extensions to build in next term of government". 

"The ACT Government has announced four possible extensions for Canberra's tramline, and says it will announce its preferred route before the election.
Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris said Labor would commit to build the second stage before the October election, with contracts expected to be signed and work to begin before the 2020 election. Labor would start construction on stage two as work on stage one finished, to keep the employment pipeline going and to move directly from one route to the next."

"One of the big questions is how to get over the lake, with Planning Minister Mick Gentleman saying Commonwealth Avenue bridge had the avenue of three lanes in each direction, compared with two lanes for Kings Avenue.
Both options would require bridge strengthening work and both needed the involvement of the National Capital Authority, with the authority already indicating that trams in the Parliamentary Triangle should operate without overhead wires.
Mr Gentleman said the ACT would also want federal funding for a Parliamentary Triangle route."

The full report is worth reading. It steps through peoples reasons for using public transport and what they want from it. It is apparent that people want better public transport, and that they want light rail. More than 6000 people provided input to the consultation process in the form of comments or submissions. 

"The top reason people gave for how government should prioritise making decisions on light rail expansion was to reduce dependency on cars and increase public transport use. Other popular reasons included serving broader parts of Canberra and improving transport in major business, government, employment centres and tourist areas."

Feedback received from the public has informed the selection of four possible routes that may be considered for Stage Two of the light rail network. It is important to remember that each possible route would be subject to a robust business case being performed before it was selected. 

Minister Gentleman said: 

“Canberrans identified four routes – Woden to the City, Belconnen to the City, the Airport and the Parliamentary Zone as priority routes for the next stage of Canberra’s light rail network,” 

“The Woden corridor provides the opportunity to create a north-south ‘spine’ for the city’s transport, and plans released today will look at extending this corridor to the Mawson Group Centre.  

“While community consultation examined the corridor to Woden, a short extension to Mawson would provide a great link for the Tuggeranong community to utilise the popular Mawson Park and Ride facility on their daily commute.

“Community consultation also looked at a potential network extension from the city to Kippax. At present the Government is investigating the City to the Belconnen Town Centre section of that corridor, in response to strong support for a route linking two universities, CIT and two hospitals. There is an opportunity to extend light rail to Kippax over the longer term, especially when demand in the area grows through developments in West Belconnen.

“The ACT Government will now move to undertake more detailed analysis of all four preferred routes, before making an announcement later this year on the next steps in developing a city-wide light rail network, with the community’s chosen routes at its core,” 

A joint press release was issued by the Minister for Planning Mick Gentleman and Minister for Transport Canberra and City Service Meegan Fitzharris today:

Canberrans have their say on future of public transport

More than 6,000 Canberrans have had their say on the future of public transport in the ACT, calling for a network that is quicker and more frequent and identifying their priorities for the next stages of light rail.

Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris and Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman today released Keeping Canberra Moving: What you have told us, a report from new transport agency Transport Canberra that highlights key improvements that could be made to public transport to ensure Canberra remains the most liveable city in the world and encourage Canberrans to leave the car at home.

“It’s clear that people want public transport to be quicker and more frequent, and that’s exactly what Transport Canberra’s integrated network of light rail and rapid buses will deliver. The clear message from Canberrans is that an expanded light rail network integrated with more frequent buses and our walking and cycling network will make public transport a genuine alternative to driving,” said Minister Fitzharris.

“Whether they’re taking the bus, riding their bike or hopping on the light rail network, every Canberran on public transport takes one more car off the road. This eases congestion and means we don’t become gridlocked like Sydney.

“By the end of this year there will be 400,000 living in Canberra, and in the next 20 years our population is set to increase by a third, with almost 500,000 people to call Canberra home by 2035. We need to start planning now for that future growth, which is why now is the right time to start our light rail network, and look to where it can go next.

“Transport Canberra has now been established to integrate our public transport system. The agency will consider the findings from this report and work with the community to ensure our public transport system meets the needs of our growing city.”

Minister Gentleman said the community had considered the light rail network and identified the four priority routes for the next stage of the network.

“Canberrans identified four routes – Woden to the City, Belconnen to the City, the Airport and the Parliamentary Zone as priority routes for the next stage of Canberra’s light rail network,” Minister Gentleman said.

“All four routes would take advantage of key landmarks, cultural institutions, education and health services and increased tourism from international flights, which start in September.”

“The Woden corridor provides the opportunity to create a north-south ‘spine’ for the city’s transport, and plans released today will look at extending this corridor to the Mawson Group Centre.  

“While community consultation examined the corridor to Woden, a short extension to Mawson would provide a great link for the Tuggeranong community to utilise the popular Mawson Park and Ride facility on their daily commute.

“Community consultation also looked at a potential network extension from the city to Kippax. At present the Government is investigating the City to the Belconnen Town Centre section of that corridor, in response to strong support for a route linking two universities, CIT and two hospitals. There is an opportunity to extend light rail to Kippax over the longer term, especially when demand in the area grows through developments in West Belconnen.

“The ACT Government will now move to undertake more detailed analysis of all four preferred routes, before making an announcement later this year on the next steps in developing a city-wide light rail network, with the community’s chosen routes at its core,” concluded Minister Gentleman.

The report combines consultation on the future light rail network and the recent public transport survey.

Integrating buses and light rail with improved walking and cycling infrastructure is all part of Transport Canberra’s plan to keep Canberrans moving quickly and easily across the city.

For more information visit: www.transport.act.gov.au 

Statement ends

As well as this website, the facebook group 'Light Rail for Canberra' carries frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news. 

Government confirms Capital Metro Stage Two will be an election policy

Facebook page of Tara Cheyne Labor candidate for Ginninderra

Tara Cheyne, Labor candidate for Ginninderra was campaigning at the Belconnen Markets on Saturday April 30th with MLA Meegan Fitzharris, Minister for TAMS (and that includes Capital Metro and ACTION Buses) and Gordon Ramsay. While campaigning, she made a short video on the spot and uploaded it to her facebook page Tara Cheyne - Labor for Ginninderra. 

Minister Fitzharris briefly lays out the affordable nature of light rail, discussed other transport initiatives like ride sharing and active transport and then revealed that the government would release a Stage Two light rail policy in the lead up to the election. She says that she is looking forward to speaking to people over the coming months about Transport Canberra and the light rail project. 

One thing that Minister Fitzharris said in the video that I think resonates, is this:"No matter where you are we will be getting a transport mode improved for you"

"No matter where you live in Canberra, we are improving transport for you"

In the 90 second video Minister Meegan Fitzharris discussed Transport Canberra, light rail, a range of transport initiatives and the ALP election strategy around light rail.

Minister Fitzharris laid out the way that money will be spent and the small proportion of the total budget that would be going to the light rail contract, saying that "It is an affordable project for our city. " For every 100 dollars spent by the government over a 20 year period she says the government will spend:
35 on health and hospitals,
25 on education and schools,
10 dollars on roads and parks,
1 dollar on light rail

She also said that "No matter where you live in Canberra we are improving transport for you. Light rail will free up one over million bus kilometres which will be redeployed around the city"

"No matter where you are we will be getting a transport mode improved for you"

"We are looking to increase the use of park and ride, and bike and ride, upgrade our walking and cycling facilities, and complement that with new and exciting forms of innovation in transport  like car sharing, ride sharing the community transport options like the flexible bus service"

"Now is our chance to do this incredible project. its a great transport project and its also a great city building project."

"We have committed to a Stage One of Gungahlin to Civic, but we will also be taking to the election a Stage Two, a vote in this election is a vote for light rail stage one and stage two."

"We have spoken to the community about where they would like to see light rail go next through the Light Rail Network Plan and we are really looking forward to pulling all of that feedback together and letting you know that Labor will have a stage two light rail, and we will be taking that to the election"

As well as this website, the facebook group 'Light Rail for Canberra' carries frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news. 

ACT Light Rail submission on the Light Rail Network Plan

ACT Light Rail have been waiting for the Light Rail Network Plan for some time, and were very pleased when a draft was released by Planning Minister Mick Gentleman some months ago. The consultation period for the Light Rail Network plan closed on Friday December 11, 2015. ACT Light Rail prepared a submission on the plan, and provided it to the ACT Government.

You can read the ACT Light Rail submission here in full.

You can read the draft Light Rail Network Plan here.

We decided to issue a press release to bring wider attention to the Light Rail Network Plan, and its objectives.

Media Release - 11 Dec 2015

ACT Light Rail submission on the Light Rail Network Plan

The public transport lobby group ACT Light Rail made a submission to the ACT Governments 2015 Light Rail Network Plan today, on the final day of the consultation process.

ACT Light Rail is a community based public transport lobby group, calling for better public transport in the Capital Region. Their membership is drawn from Community Councils, and members of the public and exceeds 700 people. They believe that light rail as the backbone of public transport; with integrated bus services and active transport provide the best public transport solution for Canberra.  

Chair, Damien Haas said “We support the proposal to construct a light rail network across Canberra over a twenty five year period, and look forward to community consultation over the selection of further stages, noting that the draft plan includes priorities for proposed routes, such as the Parliamentary Triangle and the Airport.”

He said that as well as being the best public transport option for Canberra, light rail was an important city building tool “Canberra has the challenge of a rising population, increasing car dependency and decreasing public transport rates. Only by a modal shift to light rail (supported by integration with buses and active transport) can this growth be managed while avoiding a city choked by congestion. Better public transport options will help Canberra avoid the negative consequences to liveability, health and productivity that congestion causes (and prolongs).”

On the proposed timing, he observed, “The twenty five year population and residential growth forecast in the Light Rail Network Plan provides a sensible basis for identifying light rail network expansion, especially into greenfield areas. ACT Light Rail would like to see public transport options provided before residents move in to new areas, rather than after. This approach will positively impact on land value, support the development of active communities and shape the housing stock of new communities as well as establish public transport as the primary transport option. “

“We looked at the Light Rail Network Plan in detail and support its objectives. We believe that light rail will be an important city building tool, but that it must integrate with other public transport such as ACTION Buses, taxis and Uber to fully maximise those benefits.” Mr Haas added, confident that was the Governments intention.

ACT Light Rail also provided observations on the proposed light rail routes, and recommendations for additional routes that could be incorporated to address current and future land use changes.

In their detailed submission, Mr Haas said that: 

·      ACT Light Rail supports the ACT Governments Capital Metro Stage One project, and the draft Light Rail Network Plan.

·      ACT Light Rail supports the proposed light rail routes as outlined in the draft plan.

·      ACT Light Rail supports planning light rail rotes around ‘future needs’.

·      ACT Light Rail recommends that the routes may need updating, as large scale residential developments such as Googong, and the redeveloped CSIRO Ginninderra Field Station will create transport demand that light rail may be best placed to respond to.

·      ACT Light Rail supports a business case for each corridor; and would ask that the ACT Government ensure that there is ongoing funding for this task in the budget cycle.

·      ACT Light Rail supports seeking Commonwealth funding for light rail, but do not believe this should hold back network development

·      ACT Light Rail supports the ACT Government exploring alternative funding models, including land value capture, congestion charges and toll road funding being used to expand public transport.

·      ACT Light Rail supports the Parliamentary triangle route, commencing after extension of Capital Metro Stage One to Russell.

ACT Light Rail will place their submission on their website at actlightrail.info for the public to read. They have a Facebook group: Light Rail for Canberra, with over 700 members. 

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'. 

Light Rail Master Plan released for comment

The long awaited Light Rail Master Plan has been released in draft form, with comment open until December. It is a visionary document, setting the public transport future for Canberra as one firmly relying on a light rail backbone that an expanded bus service can be built around. 

You can read the ACT Governments Light Rail Network plans on this page. 

All the maps from the plan are on this page. 

This is exactly what ACT Light Rail have been lobbying the ACT Government for, for over 15 years. We applaud the ACT Government for this example of long term vision for Canberra. 

The Light Rail Master Plan seeks to link the key urban areas of Canberra with major employment zones. Park and Ride transport hubs will be near major roads.  

A major break with previous ACT Government transport papers is the move away from the 'Town centre to Civic' hub and spoke model. This plan shows routes running out of town centres as far as Kippax and deep into Tuggeranong. 

It is clear that light rail will be used to attract infrastructure and greater development along transport corridors, which is consistent with the 'Territory Plan' and the 'Transport for Canberra' plan. 

Looking at the 'rapid' routes identified in the' Transport for Canberra' plan (with 2031 as the goal) the only major difference is the addition of the Airport, and Molonglo, and expanding the routes out from the Town Centres. All good additions. The 2012 plans for rapid routes can be seen here. 

Queanbeyan does not appear on the Light Rail Master Plan (it did in the 'Transport for Canberra' plan), but it may be part of an expanded bus service and the work along Canberra Avenue is consistent with this goal. Integrated bus/light rail/active transport is the way that the plans all tie together. 

  

There are seven new proposed sections of the light rail network to connect to the Gungahlin to Civic Stage One (construction commencing in 2016):

• Parliamentary Triangle 
• Fyshwick 
• Canberra Airport 
• Woden to Civic
• Tuggeranong to Woden, 
• Belconnen to Civic  
• Molonglo to Civic

All the maps of the seven new proposed sections are on this page. 

There has been no indication of timing for construction of a second stage although the Parliamentary Triangle, Woden and Fyshwick and Airport links have been identified as high priority.  The Russell extension is almost certain to be built in 2019.

The Canberra Times have reported on it here.

ABC News Online have reported on it here. 

ABC Canberra news report 26 October 2015

WIN Canberra news report 26 October 2015

Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said the public now had an important role to play to help determine where the Government's priorities should lie.
"What will now inform future decision making about relative priority, will be business case development for one or a number of those corridors," he said.
"And the Government will be looking at that once we've had feedback from the community."
Canberra Liberals Jeremy Hanson said this kind of high-level planning should have been completed before a decision was made on stage one of the plan.
"Why are they now doing this sort of planning process after the fact?" he said.
"They've already picked their winner, the Northbourne route through Mr Rattenbury's electorate. It's odd that they're now doing this sort of detailed process and retrofitting a plan to try to justify the first stage."

Comments on the draft Light Rail Master Plan close in December.

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.  

ACT Light Rail meet the people

On a chilly zero degree Sunday morning Committee members of ACT Light Rail arrived at the Jamison Trash and Treasure markets in Belconnen. We were there to talk about the 'all of Canberra' benefits of light rail and integrated transport with members of the public that aren't along the Capital Metro stage one corridor, and who may not be engaged in the public transport policy debate. And to give away stickers and buttons supporting light rail. 

Stickers old (top) and new (bottom)

The cardboard trams were a hit with the kids.

Deputy Chair Ian Ruecroft and Committee Member Robert Knight

Former Chair and current Committee Member Mark Loney instructing in the fine arts of cardboard tram assembly

Our table of information - stickers, buttons, Capital Metro mythbuster cards (popular), cardboard trams and route maps.

The morning was a resounding success. Many people asked us questions and we managed to provide factual information that allayed concerns about the project. It is clear that people are looking a a reason to support light rail. They have also absorbed some of the anti light rail rhetoric, but when introduced to the facts (the Mythbuster cards are great) they do come around. Of course, we encountered many disinterested people and a few anti light rail people, but overwhelmingly it was a positive experience. 

It was also great to meet some of the nearly 500 members of the 'Light Rail for Canberra' Facebook group. 

Jamison in Belconnen was chosen because it isn't along the Capital Metro corridor. We will be going to other places across Canberra to do more promotion of light rail. If you know an event that would suit us, please leave a comment or send us an email.

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.