Light rail Stage Two announced - Off to Woden we go

In its final Cabinet meeting before entering Caretaker period, the ACT Government has endorsed a Civic to Woden route for Stage Two of Canberra's light rail. by creating a north-south spine, the light rail network will stretch from Gungahlin to Woden. From this mass transit spine, frequent bus services will radiate out and increase public transport options for everyone.

• The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here "Labor announce light rail to go to Woden"
• ABC Online reported "Canberras light rail second stage link to Woden" here

By declaring a bold stage two of light rail, the ACT Government firmly indicates to all of Canberra that the light rail project will eventually reach their town centre. Crossing the lake and travelling through the Parliamentary Triangle are the two big factors that the rest of the network depend upon.

Future extensions to Tuggeranong, or even Queanbeyan are now extremely feasible. A Civic - Russell - Airport route would connect to a light rail network that travels to many national attractions and hotel/entertainment precincts. Going across the lake opens up the other routes from the Light Rail Network Plan for realistic implementation.

The ability of light rail to act as an urban renewal catalyst, as well as a tool to deal with road congestion and increase public transport patronage is well known, and the main reason Canberra chose light rail over BRT. This announcement is well timed, and politically savvy. It will appeal to voters in the South of Canberra and provides an overwhelmingly superior policy when compared to the Canberra Liberals bus only policy.

Civic - Parliamentary Triangle - Woden light rail Stage Two route

ABC Online reported:

"Stage two of Canberra's controversial light rail project will be extended to Woden if Labor is re-elected, the ACT Government says. The Government today announced the second stage of the tram line would join Civic and the Woden town centre. The announcement could counter concerns Capital Metro would only benefit a small area of Canberra, living between Gungahlin and the city centre.

The light rail project has a been a key election issue with the Opposition threatening to scrap the project. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the new plan would create a north-south public transport spine for Canberra from the first stage from Gungahlin to the second stage to Woden.

Mr Barr said the route was yet to be determined, with plans to be developed over the next parliamentary term. But the line is expected to run through the Parliamentary Triangle.
"There are of course the complications of getting over Lake Burley Griffin and the preferred route there is over Commonwealth Avenue Bridge," he said
"There may be some additional costs in getting south of the lake but, broadly speaking, we anticipate the costs to be similar to the costs of stage one."

Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury welcomed the announcement and said future extensions to the route were already in the works.
"By 2040 we expect thousands more people travelling from Woden towards the city in the morning peak and employment in the Parliamentary Triangle is expected to dramatically increase between now and 2041," he said."

Potential light rail network map from October 2015

ACT Government Media Release 1 Sep 2016

Stage 2 announced for light rail

Woden to the City via the Parliamentary Triangle has been selected as the preferred route for the next stage of a Canberra’s city wide light rail network, connecting the north and south of our city, linking employment and cultural hubs and creating a public transport spine from Gungahlin to Woden.

This Cabinet decision follows extensive community consultation on the priority corridors for the next stage of light rail and preliminary investigations by the ACT Government.
Making Woden to the City via the Parliamentary Triangle the next stage of the light rail gives us a north-south spine for our public transport network, which rapid and local buses will feed into and from which we can extend into the next priority stages of the core light rail network: Belconnen, the Airport and further into the Parliamentary Triangle.

It will also continue the renewal of Woden, which is already being led by relocating more than 1000 ACT Government employees into the town centre.

Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris said connecting light rail all the way from Gungahlin to Woden would be a city-building project and would alleviate congestion across the north and south of Canberra.

“We have always said light rail would be a city-wide public transport project. Now that the first stage of light rail, from Gungahlin to the City, is under construction, we can consider where it will go next.

“We’ve consulted with the community, and with almost 210,000 Canberrans projected to live, work or study within one kilometre of the Woden corridor by 2041, it makes sense to extend light rail over the lake, through the Parliamentary Triangle and into the bustling Woden town centre.”

Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said:

“We need to start planning for the future growth of our city now. Identifying the next stage of the light rail route is vital if we want to continue to reduce congestion on our roads and give commuters a real choice to leave the car at home and take public transport.

“Extending light rail to Woden confirms the ACT Government’s vision and commitment to developing a city-wide light rail network starting with this north-south spine. It is all part of our plan to develop an integrated public transport network that is convenient, efficient, affordable and reliable – a genuine alternative to driving.”

Planning for the next stage of light rail will get underway in coming months.

Minister Shane Rattenbury said it was vital to keep momentum with the light rail network.

“Stage one, which links our fastest growing suburb to the CBD, is just the start. It is critical that we don’t stop now and the light rail network continues to grow as planned, serving more Canberrans. This next step is very important, and once we have the spine of the network running from Gungahlin in the north to Woden in the south in place, we will be in an excellent position to expand city-wide.”

The other priority corridors identified through community consultation were to Belconnen, the Airport and further into the Parliamentary Triangle. These will form the next stages of the city wide light rail network.

Statement ends.

The Australian Rail Association, the rail industry peak body released a statement in support f the Stage Two announcement.

ARA Welcomes ACT Light Rail Stage Two Announcement

The ARA congratulates the ACT Government on its announcement that City to Woden has been selected as the preferred route for Stage 2 of Canberra's Light Rail network.

With Stage 1 of the network connecting Canberra's fastest growing region - Gungahlin - with the city, it is an intuitive decision to further extend the light rail route into Canberra's southside across Commonwealth Bridge.

"Stage 2 from Civic to Woden will generate urban renewal, create jobs for Canberrans and realise a renewal of Woden town centre," said ARA CEO Danny Broad.

"Light Rail along the Woden corridor through the Parliamentary Triangle will ease congestion and is friendlier to the environment than continuing Canberra's reliance on motor vehicles.

"With more than 200,000 Canberrans projected to live or work within a kilometre of the Woden corridor by 2041, this Stage 2 decision is a vital link in Canberra'a broader Light Rail network that has future public transport needs at its heart.
"It is positive to see that an integrated approach to public transport is at the core of the ACT Government's planning for Canberra's future public transport needs.

"Buses, bicycle paths and parking will be smoothly integrated with Light Rail to ensure a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transport network for our nation's capital.  

"Canberra's Light Rail network must also eventually extend to Belconnen in the north and Tuggeranong in the south and I call on the ACT Government to move quickly in announcing future stages, to ensure a continuity of associated works programs and to maintain community support," said Danny Broad.

Statement ends

The reaction to the announcement of a second stage of light rail from Civic to Woden has been overwhelmingly positive.

Transport Canberra Minister Meegan Fitzharris, WVCC's Martin Miler and ACT Light Rail Chair Damien Haas were interviewed on 666ABC radio on Friday Sep 2nd about the announcement.

Listen to the audio here.


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'.  

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. 

Free City Loop bus service proving popular in 'Bus Wars'

The free City Loop bus trial is one of the initiatives to improve public transport services for all areas of Canberra. Other initiatives include a direct Weston Creek to Civic bus service, and the most significant infrastructure investment in Canberras history - Capital Metro Light Rail Stage One.

Significant work is being performed on the ACTION timetable and routes using the existing bus fleet, and the 30 new buses being delivered this year. A new timetable and route package is expected to be announced shortly.

A major benefit to bus services and bus users for all of Canberra will be realised when Capital Metro light rail begins service. One million bus kilometres a year will be released from the existing bus rapid route, that can be allocated all across Canberra.

After a week of the free City Loop bus trial operating, Minister Meegan Fitzharris released this media release on July 13 discussing early patronage figures.

Free City Loop popular – attracts over 1,200 boardings in first week Transport Canberra’s new free City Loop service has already built a fan base in its first week of operation, with more than 1,200 boardings in just five days. “I am pleased to announce that in its first week of operation, the free City Loop recorded 1,233 boardings. This is a great result for this brand new service, and shows people want to move around our city in new ways,” Minister Fitzharris said. “Passenger boardings were at their highest during the hours of 12 pm to 2 pm and 5 pm to 6 pm, which demonstrates people are moving around Civic more at lunchtime and in the evenings. “The free City Loop is a convenient ‘turn up and go’ weekday service for commuters and connects with high frequency Red and Blue Rapid services and buses to the Parliamentary Triangle. The service also supports local businesses and helps Canberrans travel around popular areas in the CBD for free, including Braddon, New Acton, the Canberra Centre and ANU. “Patronage is expected to increase further in the following weeks with the return of school and university students from their break.” Minister Fitzharris today welcomed the Canberra Liberals’ support for a City Loop bus service, but said only Labor was committed to keeping the service free. “The Canberra Liberals have today released their own city loop plan. It’s not free, it’s less frequent, it looks like a very long journey, and they project fewer people will actually use it than currently use our free City Loop. “You can’t trust the Canberra Liberals on public transport. They have never had a consistent public transport position, except to tear up a contract for a project that they say we will need in 20 years. “I’m interested in how we encourage more people to use public transport, rather than putting up barriers, which is what the Canberra Liberals plan does. “As people become more familiar with the free City Loop service, I think it will become even more popular, and we’ve already had great feedback on the City Loop from a range of people and stakeholders, including the ANU. With more than 5,000 students living next to one of the City Loop stops, it is likely to be a very popular way to move around the CBD. “The free City Loop service, launched on Monday 4 July 2016, links highly-frequented areas of the CBD such as the City Bus Station, Canberra Centre, Braddon precinct, Northbourne Avenue, the Australian National University and New Acton precinct. “The launch of the free City Loop coincided with the launch of the new Transport Canberra agency, which is responsible for integrating buses with the new light rail, developing a single ticketing system and new coordinated timetabling, active travel upgrades and transport innovation. “The City Loop is one of the ways the ACT Government is making public transport more frequent and easier to use. It’s all part of our plan to keep Canberra moving. “The ACT Government is continuing to build an integrated, city wide transport network with a $17 million investment in the 2016-17 ACT Budget for new transport services, including $10 million for 20 new buses and a trial of electric buses,” said Minister Fitzharris. More information about the free City Loop is available at www.transport.act.gov.au

Transport is one area the ACT Government has made a priority, and it is a policy area the Canberra Liberals have no real expertise or understanding of. Although the free City Loop bus service has only been operating for one week, the Canberra Liberals have hastily released proposal for a less useful bus loop called City Hopper, that competes with an existing private bus operator.

Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury obviously bemused at the catchup policies of the Canberra Liberals, released the following comment on Facebook on 13 July:

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... Actually it wasn’t that long ago and it was right here in Canberra. The Greens were the only party championing for better public transport in the face of criticism, and even mocking and condescension from the Canberra Liberals. It’s great to see the debate shift so far that we are now seeing a “bus wars” of one-upmanship as all parties recognise the importance of having a good public transport system across Canberra.

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

Canberra Liberals City Hopper bus loop proposal threatens tourist bus company viability

The Canberra Liberals have looked at the new City Loop service and two weeks later come up with their own version. On the surface, the 'City Hopper' loop proposal is a good try, but it displays a lack of awareness in how people use public transport in mashing together a city loop and a tourist loop. It also ignores that a tourist bus loop service already exists.

Unlike the new City Loop trial, the Canberra Liberals copy also requires people to pay, instead of just getting on and off (City Loop is a free service).

There is no doubt we need a tourist loop bus service, and one exists - it's a privately run tourist bus called The Canberra Explorer that operates seven days a week and visits the attractions the City Hopper proposes to visit. The Canberra Times article doesn't mention that such a service already exists. At least when this website simply publishes a press release, we acknowledge it.

The existing City Explorer bus loop service visits many of Canberra's national attractions and embassies. Stops include the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Civic, Australian War Memorial, National Library of Australia, Questacon, National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, High Court of Australia, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Parliament House and the National Museum of Australia. That's pretty comprehensive.

By copying the ACTION City Loop and combining it with a tourist bus loop service, the actual usefulness of the City Hopper loop is degraded. It isn't terribly convenient for the intended audience of tourists or office workers/students. Both those seperate loops already exist, one a privately operated tourist service, and the other a trial by the Government called City Loop.

Most disturbing is the awful arrogance of destroying a private bus operators business without any discussion of compensation, or even mentioning that it exists at all. Based on the demonstrated history of a lack of awareness of public transport technology, policy and operations, ACT Light Rail can only assume the Canberra Liberals genuinely had no clue that a private operator already offered a service they claim doesn't exist.

Their public transport policy efforts to date do not inspire confidence.

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

Russell light rail extension delayed until after October election as part of expanded Stage Two

The extension of Capital Metro Stage One from Civic to Russell has been talked about by the ACT Government for well over a year now, with engineering studies performed and a cost to construct figure sought from the Canberra Metro consortium. A formal announcement that the extension will proceed has been expected.

In a move widely believed to be aimed at securing Federal funding as part of a wider extension to Stage Two of Capital Metro, the Russell extension has now been rolled into Stage Two, instead of an extension to Stage One.

Today the ACT Government indicated that it would wait until after the October 2016 Assembly election before proceeding with the Russell extension. On WIN News the Chief Minister Andrew Barr said "We are expanding our thinking in the context of stage two of the light rail project and we look forward to making a further announcement on that closer to the election". 

The second stage that initially was to run from Civic to Russell now forms part of a post-election Stage Two expansion, possibly taking in the Parliamentary Triangle and/or the Airport, and the crossing of Lake Burley Griffin.

It is a brilliant piece of politics by the ACT Government.

By putting Capital Metro Stage Two to the public, post-election there will exist a clear and unequivocal mandate from the public to proceed with further light rail extensions. It also shifts the debate from defending Stage One to positive campaigning about light rail expansion and improvement to public transport in Canberra.

With the willingness of the Federal government to assist with urban public transport infrastructure there could be a convergence of factors leading to further federal funding for Capital Metro (the Federal Government has contributed $60 million to Stage One as part of the Asset Recycling scheme).

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is a proponent and user of urban public transport, and light rail in particular. His use of and support of light rail also shows the public the wide gap between the Canberra Liberals and the Federal Liberal government on public transport and infrastructure priorities.

In announcing the delay of a formal announcement of an extension to Stage One, Chief Minister Barr said "People will be very clear when they come to vote in the territory election in October what our commitment to stage 2 of the project will be and what we would intend to deliver if the government were re-elected.""What's really exciting is there's an opportunity to go beyond Russell, to look at connections that are not just city to Russell but city to other major employment centres in our city, particularly potentially the parliamentary triangle or other locations ... the airport or university."

ACT Light Rail await the announcement of Stage Two keenly.


The joint press release from Chief Minister Andrew Barr and MLA Simon Corbell:

Russell to be considered as part of stage two of light rail network

The ACT Government will consider an extension of the light rail network to the Russell defence precinct as part of a second stage of light rail in Canberra after the next election.
In the meantime, the Government will progress with delivering its 2012 election commitment to build the City to Gungahlin stage of the network. Work will start this year and be complete in 2018-19, in line with our 2012 election commitment.
Just as we sought and were given a mandate for the first stage of the network, we will seek a second mandate at the 2016 ACT election for the next stage.
It is encouraging that now both sides of Federal politics back urban rail project and with the Commonwealth the major landowner, employer and beneficiary of a future stage of light rail we will continue to engage with the Commonwealth Government.
Taking into consideration the light rail master planning work and community consultation that the government is currently undertaking we will make further announcements closer to the election about the next stage of the light rail network under a re-elected Labor government.
Minister for Capital Metro Simon Corbell said Russell would be strongly considered, alongside other options, in the next stage of Canberra’s city-wide light rail network.
“Our preferred proponent, the Canberra Metro consortium, has provided an excellent bid for stage one from City to Gungahlin and the government is acting now to secure this excellent deal for the people of Canberra.
“We have always said the City to Gungahlin was just the first stage of a city-wide light rail network and the work that has been done to develop a future extension from City to Russell confirmed that.
“Canberra deserves a world-class public transport system and a Labor government will take the next step in making that happen by building on the base we have put in place with stage one and progressively extending the system across Canberra.”
In line with the 2012 election commitment, contracts are due to be completed for stage one in May or June with significant early infrastructure works beginning immediately.  The project is being delivered cheaper and faster than estimated by the government and will deliver about 3500 jobs during construction. Canberra Metro has committed to 90% of its workforce being acquired locally.
“ACT Labor took stage one from Gungahlin to City to the last election with a plan to secure a Public Private Partnership to start construction by 2016,” Mr Corbell said.
“Having delivered on that election commitment we will be in a position to make a new commitment to extend light rail to even more Canberrans.

“While stage one tackles the ACT’s most congested corridor it is has always just been the first stage of a light rail network that will service all of Canberra. Before the next election, we will detail the next stage of the light rail network.”

The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here.

WIN Canberra report from March 22

ABC TV Canberra report from March 22

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

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'. 

ABC TV special on Capital Metro light rail - Fast track to the future or a new set of problems?

ABC TV Canberra have assembled a program looking at Canberra's largest infrastructure program to date - Capital Metro Light Rail. It runs from Gungahlin to Civic (and a Russell extension is 99% certain). To say that it has become controversial is an understatement.

The ABC TV Program broadcast on 27 November 2015

The program 'Fast track to the future or a new set of problems?' takes a look at the project, the problems it is intended to address, the way in which light rail can be used as a tool for urban renewal and city building, the funding and cost issues, and the political issues. Several critics are lined up and asked questions.

Although not a direct transcript, the ABC site has a good summary of the program. I would direct you to their website to read it.

It would be easy to criticise some aspects of the program, but there are people that have concerns and doubts regarding the light rail project and those concerns need to be listened to and addressed. In the ABC program the critics were given their opportunity, and so were the supporters. The politicians stated their case for and against.

Ultimately light rail is a tool that we can use to address real problems we have now, and use it as a tool to build a better Canberra for our future. If we build light rail we can prevent future problems that congested cities experience.

There are two major flaws with the ABC program, the first was the 'pearls on a string' example. The reporter and his subjects completely ignored Mitchell, the race track and EPIC. Urban renewal along the route also creates the conditions further pearls can be attracted to. After dismissing the route, the reporter at the end quickly mentions the extension to Russell that serves CIT in Reid, the Convention centre and Russell's tens of thousands of employees.

The second flaw was positing that it is either light rail or car/bus. It is not. The light rail option will bring integrated public transport - that is light rail as the mass transit backbone, more frequent local bus services and active transport (walking and cycling). The bus option delivers what we have now - declining public transport patronage. Although extending the network was discussed, integrated transport was not.

Overall, the report was a good summary of the issues and politics of the Capital Metro project. It is controversial, it is bold, it is going to change our city and its culture - and it is needed.

The observations of Dr Burke towards the end ring true - for the system to work we must get on and build light rail stages two, three and four as soon as possible. We have to build through the Parliamentary Triangle, to Woden, and create a network that works for Canberra. Light rail will start to make more and more sense.

Finally, this bizarre comment by Leo Dobes cannot go without comment.

"How many people will die because of the tram?"

This sadly, indicates the level to which opponents of light rail will sink to attack a project that will deliver benefits to our city for many generations. It was a truly sad spectacle for which he should be ashamed.

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'.