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. 

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'. 

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'.  

Wire free light rail mandated for Civic to Russell extension of Capital Metro Stage One

A modern French wire free light rail vehicle in Tours, France (Robert Knight)

At a Gungahlin Community Council meeting on 9 September 2015, Capital Metro Director of Procurement and Delivery, Steve Allday, advised that the two consortiums bidding for the Capital Metro project, would be delivering their bids for the Russell extension in a months time, and that the bids would have to be for wire free light rail.

He said that the NCA required wire free operation in the National Capital Area, and that as a result the light rail extension from Civic to Russell would have to be a wire free design.

Mr Allday said that this technology was already in use internationally, and there were several different options that could be utilised. Light rail vehicles would take power from an overhead wire, and then rely on a battery or super-capacitor for limited distances. Although there were technical challenges with current technology that limited the distances that wire free operation could be used. This meant that light rail vehicles for Capital Metro Stage One were likely to be powered by an overhead wire.

The photo above, of a modern light rail vehicle in Tours, France, uses power from a third rail in the road surface.

ACT Light Rail are aware that the NCA had previously indicated that any light rail extension across Lake Burley Griffin would have to use wire free technology, and Capital Metro had factored this into the technical requirements that the two consortiums had based their Stage One bids on. Capital Metro have never proscribed whether the light rail technology chosen by the successful bidder, for Stage One, was wire free or used a catenary wire (in use by all light rail systems in Australia at present).

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