ALP and Greens form agreement to govern for the new Assembly - light rail a key initiative both can agree on.

Greens MLA Caroline le Couteur, Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, ALP Chief Minister Andrew Barr and ALP Deputy chief Minister Yvette Berry 

Congratulations to the ALP and the Greens on reaching an agreement to govern for the new Assembly. This is the third term in a row that the ALP and Greens have supported each other in the Assembly, and the second formal agreement. At the election on October 15, the ALP claimed 12 seats, the Greens 2 and the Canberra Liberals 11. Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury will take a position in Cabinet as part of the agreement. 

For this term of government, there are 77 separate initiatives in the agreement that both parties can agree on. The primary initiatives of interest for this group are those related to public transport.

A link to the full parliamentary agreement is here.  

ABC Online reported on the agreement here. 

The Canberra Times reported on the agreement here.

In the 2012 to 2016 term, the agreement to govern delivered signed contracts and construction for Capital Metro light rail Stage One, and the delivery of the Light Rail Master Plan. 

In this term, the agreement refers to 'Building an Integrated transport network' with a focus on light rail Stage Two improving bus services, looking at new transport technologies and promoting Active Travel. 

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

Canberra supports light rail future with re-elected Barr government

Thank you to all supporters of light rail and improved public transport in Canberra. Your votes have secured a very different Canberra that will be able to grow without gridlock and increased road congestion. It will be  able to offer  a scalable public transport system that can grow as our population and urban form grows. It was not the only issue that the election was decided upon, but it was a major one.

If there are political lessons to be learnt they are firstly that the Canberra public want our city to grow and avoid the transport problems that other car dominated capitals have. We are on that cusp, and have decided to go another way. The second and bigger lesson is that we are not fools and negative political campaigning just doesn't work. We will support and vote for a positive achievable vision.

It has been a hard slog for all, but at last the four year election campaign has been decided. It has been a definitive rout of regressive negative politics. The Canberra of the future will have an integrated public transport system with light rail at its backbone, and more frequent local bus services.

• Stage One from Gungahlin to Civic will be built and commence service by 2019. 
• Stage Two from Civic to Woden will have a series of studies prepared, culminating with a business case that may recommend construction. 
• An expanded rapid bus service will be extended to several group centres
• Proper planning for further light rail stages can continue 
• A compact liveable city with Transit Oriented Development and more density, will emerge around transit corridors

These positive planning and transport policies can now occur with certainty as the Barr government has been returned with a likely coalition government with the Greens to be formed, once firm Assembly numbers are known. The polling booths closed at 6PM on October 15th and by 10PM the Chief Minister had announced the ALP were in a position to form Government, and opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson had conceded defeat.

That the positive election result was known so quickly, demonstrates confidence in the Governments plans. It was a resounding 'yes' for light rail.

For four years the Canberra Liberals had fought a relentlessly negative and dishonest campaign with false claims about costs and spending. These false and deceptive claims continued to the day of the election and it was a refreshing sign of a healthy democracy that the people of Canberra looked beyond the smear  campaign and neglectful and lazy journalistic coverage from the Canberra Times, to form a view that resoundingly supports a light rail future.

However, the negative campaign is now history. The light rail debate has been resolved and it will be built. Stage One will be the first of five planned stages that will reshape our city and lead to better land use, higher standards of living, less road congestion and a more compact livable city. 

The overwhelming endorsement of public transport at this election should be taken to heart by the Canberra Liberals. They should be proactive in creating light rail and public transport policy, and they should be cooperative and not obstructionist as further light rail stages, especially the Woden route, are planned and constructed.

Supporters of light rail in the community, including the 1300 strong members of ACT Light Rail, always knew the public supported better public transport. Now its future is secure.

• See polling results from booths adjacent to light rail here

Canberra Times coverage
Election win shows comprehensive support for light rail
Labor confident of win - expected to form government with Greens
Triumph for Labor - wakeup call for Liberals 
Disappointing Hanson admits defeat at ACT election
Back to the drawing board for all sides
Labor victory a rejection of narrow minded fundamental conservatism

ABC Online coverage
Light rail in balance as Canberra heads to the polls
Labor claims victory, says Canberra voted for light rail
Feeling of exasperation as Canberra Liberals fall short
Where to now for Liberal leadership?

Television coverage of the election result

ABC TV news Canberra carried this report on Sunday 16 October 2016:

Part One

Part Two

WIN TV News Canberra carried this report on Monday 17 October 2016:

A few radio interviews were quite informative:

ABC radio carried this interview on Monday 17 October with Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury about what happens next

Duration: 7min 20sec Broadcast: Mon 17 Oct 2016, 5:30am

"The ACT Election finished on Saturday night but the final preference counting will continue for most of this week.
What will the larger Legislative Assembly chamber mean? How about negotiations for a new Labor-Greens Government?
Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury talk to 666 ABC Canberra breakfast host Philip Clark about what happens next."

Originally on this ABC webpage

ABC radio carried this interview with Liberal MLA Alistair Coe after the election.

Duration: 11min 57sec Broadcast: Mon 17 Oct 2016, 3:00pm

"After appearing to be within reach of Government for the first time in 15 years the Canberra Liberals lost the election by an increased margin compared to 2012, and it's raised questions over the position of leader Jeremy Hanson.
Mr Coe explained the ground campaign of Labor and the complexity of the light rail issue could have been contributing factors to the Liberals' loss.
He also told Adam Shirley on 666 ABC Canberra that he did not see Mr Hanson's statement that he argued against light rail "exceptionally well, but perhaps not well enough" as a criticism."

Originally on this ABC webpage.

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

Public transport policies in the 2016 ACT Election

ACT Light Rail have a page with all the public transport policies of the competing major parties, for the 2016 Election.

It is here: http://www.actlightrail.info/p/public-transport-policies-2016.html

If we have missed a policy announcement, please email info@actlightrail.info

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

Candidates in the 2016 Election

ACT Light Rail have a page with all the pro light rail candidates competing at the 2016 Election.

It is here: http://www.actlightrail.info/p/public-transport-policies-2016.html

If we have missed a pro light rail candidate, please email info@actlightrail.info

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

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. 

Liberal election campaign provides a second mandate for Capital Metro light rail

The genius behind this campaign will probably be sacked

By any assessment the Liberal Partys very odd 'Put Labor and Greens last' anti-light rail campaign has been a gross waste of Liberal campaign money. Canberrans voting at this election did send a message on light rail, and that message is - they want it. 

Despite trying to link the light rail project to federal politics, the Liberal party has failed to increase its vote in the ACT. At this time, the two lower house ACT ALP seats have been returned, and appear increased their vote. 

The Canberra Times reported late on Saturday night:

"ACT politicians used the federal campaign to test key messages and policies, treating it as a precursor to the territory election.

Light rail was a key issue for the Liberals during the campaign, despite it being a local issue and a policy of the ACT Labor government that would not be impacted by a change in federal government.

The party used pictures of the tram in campaign material, urging voters opposed to project not to vote for ACT Labor senator and former chief minister Katy Gallagher.

Late last week, Greens senate candidate Christina Hobbs vowed to invest $400 million for stage two of the tram to Russell if elected, claiming to was a "transformational city-building project".

In turn, Mr Seselja accused the Greens of being focused on "fantasy rather than reality" linking their campaign platform to ACT MLA Shane Rattenbury's "vanity project"

Mr Rattenbury, who watched the election results with Ms Hobbs in Kingston, said the result was positive and showed the Greens could win up to five seats in October.

"The Liberals tried to run hard the light rail issue hard this week but we have seen a swing to us across the board of 2.5 to 3 per cent, so it's not working," he said.

"There is very little polling done in the ACT and this is the best polling we've had since the last election. It shows that the green vote has bounced back from the 2012 election."

ACT Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson was scrutineering votes and unavailable for comment on Saturday night."

The senate vote is yet to be confirmed although in a worrying sign for the Liberal campaign, ABC Online reports that:

"ALP senator Katy Gallagher has secured enough votes to be returned, however incumbent Liberal senator Zed Seselja is yet to reach a quota."

You can only put one of them last - voting results indicate people put the Liberals last

The Canberra Liberals manic obsession with the Capital Metro light rail project has seen them drag their sole federal representative, Senator Zed Seselja into a territory issue. In the last week of campaigning, advertising aimed at making a vote for the Liberals a form of referendum on light rail was pushed heavily. 

By any assessment, that campaign has been a failure. If anything, the ALP has increased its federal vote in the ACT, and applying the logic of the Liberal campaign, that adds a second mandate for Capital Metro.

The ALP Member for Fenner, Andrew Leigh, observed that the Liberals' attempt to draw in ACT political issues had not helped them:
"Many Liberals at the poll booths said a vote for Labor was a vote for light rail, so the Liberals should acknowledge tomorrow Canberrans have voted for it."

The lack of interest in ACT infrastructure spending by the federal branch of both the ALP and the Liberals was an odd feature of the campaign, with only the Greens promising to spend 400 million on a second stage of light rail. Despite this, the October Assembly election is only a few months away, and as it is unlikely that the federal government (of any variety) will contribute to Canberras public tramsport infrastructure, it is likely that the local ALP government will be returned.

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 Admit There's a Need For Light Rail

Apparently there are circumstances in which the Canberra liberals will build light rail

The Canberra Liberals blatant political opportunism over light rail has been exposed by the Canberra Liberals themselves. They do believe in the need for light rail, according to Transport Spokesman, MLA Alistair Coe. In a radio interview on 27 June he conceded that if elected, his party would scrap the contracts but keep the light rail plans for a future roll out of the network.

In the ABC 666 interview Mr Coe said: “We would still own the plans for the rail, the design work.  So we would have a shovel ready project if and when light rail does happen in 20-30-40 years down the track,”

This is vastly different from his earlier position from last year, when he said: 'There are no circumstances whatsoever in which the Canberra liberals will go ahead with light rail. Absolutely none. If we get elected in october of 2016 it will be to stop light rail". 

Clearly there are circumstances in which the Canberra Liberals will build light rail.

A forward looking politician would surely want to build for the future.

Minister Simon Corbell and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury attacked Mr Coe for the comments, saying they showed the Liberals recognised light rail would be necessary in the future.

The comment comes at a late stage in the federal election campaign when Senator Zed Seselja is campaigning against the very light rail program the Liberal government he is part of, is funding.
Mr Corbell criticised Senator Seselja's use of light rail as a campaign tool, saying he was contradicting his federal colleagues.

"I think it's ironic that Zed Seselja is campaigning against a project that the federal Turnbull government is funding," "Maybe Zed needs to speak to his federal counterparts who have agreed to giving millions and millions of dollars that will go towards light rail here in Canberra."

Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury says the Canberra Liberals have realised light rail is required to address Canberra's growing population. In a gleefully worded press release, Mr Rattenbury said:

“It is clear that the Canberra Liberals are starting to realise that light rail is the necessary solution to Canberra’s growing congestion problems,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“But they have painted themselves into a corner with their anti-light rail propaganda and it seems they don’t even believe the rhetoric they are sprouting.
“This begs the key question – if the Liberals accept that we will need light rail in 20 years time, why tear up the contracts now?
“It is both easier and cheaper to PLAN for the future and have the infrastructure in place before it is too late to address Canberra’s growing congestion issues effectively.
“They are so wedded to their untenable position that not only they are prepared to burden the Canberra community with the substantial costs of cancelling the contract but they are also prepared to burden future generations with the inevitably increasing cost of the future construction.
“This shows a complete lack of vision from the opposition and demonstrates how ill-equipped the Liberal party is to take government.
“The Canberra Liberals have a history of being behind the eight ball when it comes to transport policy and planning.
“The Liberals originally opposed the introduction of the Red Rapid bus route and Mr Coe even moved a motion in the Assembly in 2009 opposing the West Belconnen route. He said: “It seems absurd to me that anyone would actually use this service.”
“That is now one of the most successful routes in Canberra, and the Liberals have used this ‘rapid’ model as the basis for their proposed new bus network,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“It’s almost as if the Canberra Liberals are living a decade behind the rest of us. It is time they caught up to the 21^st Century and faced the realities of our growing city,” .

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

2016 Federal election Public Transport funding commitments

The federal election campaign has been running for months, and the nation heads to the polling booth on July 2nd only a few days away. Many campaign specific commitments have been made across all policy areas. Transport infrastructure and public transport commitments are of great interest to the members of ACT Light Rail, and the existing users of public transport in Canberra.

This article looks at the election commitments from the three major parties involved in the election campaign, focussed on public transport in Canberra. It has been delayed somewhat by the late release of the ALP policy. This morning the ALP released their Infrastructure Policy (see here), part of their 100 positive policies for their federal election campaign. It was the last of the major parties to release an infrastructure policy, the Liberals released their policy (see here) and the Greens released their Infrastructure policy (see here) some weeks ago

The main focus of ACT Light Rail is public transport infrastructure in the Capital region, and programs and funding to expand the role that better public transport plays in city building, better regional access and community cohesion. Public transport cannot stand alone, it is intrinsically linked to other policy areas such as planning and development. Transport policy needs the same focus.

Let us examine each Public Transport or Infrastructure policy or funding commitment and see what Canberra's voters have to choose from.

Labors Infrastructure policy

The Australian Labor Party
As part of the 100 Positive Policies campaign, the ALP today released the 'Labor Infrastructure Policy'. Public transport is a key area of their policy, and is mentioned on Page 3 ahead of roads. It contains good news for public transport - in every state except for Canberra.

This policy offers nothing for public transport in Canberra. ACT Light Rail contacted each of the ALP's federal representatives or Canberra and asked for details about commitments to light rail. A spokesman for Andrew Leigh MP advised that the government commitment of $67 million is still in place and that Canberra would retain that funding if the ALP formed government.

The local ALP have invested a great deal of political capital in the Capital Metro Stage One light rail project and this lack of federal Labor support is very concerning.

Liberal Party
The Liberal Party policy on public transport can be found buried in their infrastructure policy titled 'Building Australia's Infrastructure' found here. Public transport warrants one paragraph in the foreword of a policy that then focusses very much on roads. Although it promotes public transport projects in other states, There is no mention of Canberra specific public transport project in it at all.

This is odd, as the federal Liberal government is contributing $60 million dollars from the Asset Recycling incentive scheme, and at the 2016 Budget announced it would increase that by ten percent with an extra $6.6 million dollars.

Senator Zed Seselja recently promised to relocate a federal agency to the Gungahlin Town Centre if he was returned. That commitment supports the business case for light rail, as it demonstrates that providing better public transport attracts employment.

Further adding to the unusual nature of the Liberals federal election campaign is an active effort in their advertising to encourage people who support light rail to vote for the Greens or the Labor Party. The Liberals are telling Canberra voters that if they want light rail, they should vote Greens or Labor at the federal election, and if you oppose public transport then vote Liberal.

Liberal Sentaor Zed Seselja explicitly endorses the Greens policy saying “It is a clear choice on Saturday, voting for the Greens is voting for light rail.”
 

The message being if you want light rail - don't vote Liberal?

Not all Canberra Liberals share this view. Robert Gunning, candidate for Fenner, says that "While he acknowledges it is a "possibility" he could pick up votes from light-rail opponents wanting to register their anger with Labor, he doesn't expect it to have a big impact.

As the delivery of Capital Metro Stage One is a territory funded and administered program, it is not clear how the light rail project can be influenced by a vote to the Greens or labor instead of the Liberals. It is almost as if the Liberals are in a schizophrenic policy position with the Federal Liberals promoting light rail in Canberra, and the Canberra Liberals campaigning against it. 

The Greens

Of the major parties, the Greens offer the most compelling policy for better public transport in the ACT. Their policy 'Building our Green transport future' found here says they will invest $400 million in a second stage of light rail in Canberra.

The Greens policy extends beyond light rail stage two construction to promise to invest in and encourage low emission bus fleets and local manufacturing of light rail vehicles. They also commit to making bus priority a feature on main roads. These are sound public transport election commitments.

These specific public transport commitments as part of the 2016 federal election are consistent with the Greens Sustainable Planning and Transport policy (found here).

Overview of federal election commitments

The Greens provide the only concrete public transport commitment for Canberra voters from any major party at this federal election. They commit $400 million for light rail stage two in Canberra.

The ALP and Liberals do not make any Canberra specific public transport commitments. The federal Liberal government commitment of $67 million is still in place, and a spokesman for Andrew Leigh MP maintains that the local ALP representatives would retain that funding if the ALP formed government.

ACT Light Rail do not suggest or direct that you vote for any specific party or person, the information in this article is to aid your decision making process before you exercise your democratic right at the July 2nd federal election.


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

Media release: Greens welcome Canberra’s light rail future

This is the media release from Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, dated 1 Feb 2016

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, has welcomed the announcement of the Canberra Metro as the consortium who will construct the first stage of Canberra’s light rail system from Gungahlin to the City.
“Canberra has turned a corner today. Today we welcome a vision for a new and exciting Canberra,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“This is a milestone that marks the next stage for Canberra as a progressive, sustainable, 21^st century city.  That is the Greens’ vision for Canberra and the key reason that light rail was included as an agreement item when forming Government with the ALP in 2012.
“Over one hundred years ago Walter Burley Griffin laid the foundations for light rail with his ambitious and progressive vision for our city.
“Today is an important step in his vision becoming reality with the announcement of the consortium who will deliver the first stage of Canberra’s light rail network.
“I am excited to imagine Canberra’s future entryway as a vibrant, tree-lined boulevard of activity that welcomes visitors to our city and shows them that Canberra is a fantastic place to live.
“The latest demographic data shows that Canberra’s population will reach 400,000 this year.
“Current projections show that without change in approach there will be 124,000 more cars on our roads by 2040 – enough to fill a parking lot the size of the entire Parliamentary Triangle.
“We are a growing city that needs and deserves better public transport options. And we are going to get just that with an integrated, inclusive and affordable light rail network across the city.

“This is an exciting day for Canberra’s future and I look forward to having conversations with the Canberra community about where we go next with Canberra’s light rail network,” said Mr Rattenbury.

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

Minister Rattenbury condemns 1960's era 'roads only' policies of the Canberra Liberals

Greens MLA and TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury has issued a press release slamming the Canberra Liberals approach to public transport. The Canberra Liberals have consistently opposed the Capital Metro light rail project, and have promised to cancel any contracts signed by the ACT Government if they are elected in the 2016 Assembly elections (a move described as economic lunacy by the federal Liberal government). 

Todays press release attacks the Canberra Liberals complete lack of public transport policy, and their 1960's style focus on roads ahead of sound urban planning.  

Press release starts:

Liberals miss the point of improved public transport

The Canberra Liberals have completely missed the point of providing Canberrans with a comprehensive public transport network and instead want to clog our city with more cars and more roads in a 1960’s view of traffic management, said ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury.
“The whole concept of having a good public transport network is not to make life harder for those who need to use their car – it’s about getting more cars off the road so that those who need to use their cars aren’t faced with increased delays due to congestion,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“As the saying goes ‘if you build it they will come’ – the more roads we build, the more cars we will attract and the more congestion we will see on our roads.
“This is a lesson that has been learnt in cities all across the world and we see many cities trying to play catch-up to improve their public transport systems to address congestion.
“The ACT Greens understand that of course there are always going to be times when people need to use their cars – parents who need to pick up their kids or tradespeople who work across the city.
“However, there are many Canberrans who could quite easily ditch their car and hop on a bus or a tram to get to and from their destination.  It is these people who we are targeting with a new light rail network and improvements across our bus network.
“The point of public transport is not to force people out of their cars; it’s to provide viable and sustainable options for people who don’t need to drive and ease congestion on our roads for those who do need to drive.
“The last thing we want is for people to be stuck in traffic on Canberra’s roads – that’s not fun for anybody.  And under a Liberal government, that’s where Canberrans will be stuck in the future,” said Mr Rattenbury.


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

ACT light rail commitment will pay major dividends

(published in the Canberra Times, 6 June 2014)

The announcement in Tuesday's ACT budget of $21.3 million for the Capital Metro Agency is yet another positive commitment to light rail and improved public transport from the ACT government.

After a very slow start in staffing the Capital Metro Agency, and months of silence between public announcements, it is clear that behind the scenes the Capital Metro Agency staff are working away on engineering, financing and planning projects.

Into these long silences, the Canberra Liberals have been injecting doubt about the project into the public discussion.

At the last Assembly election both Labor and the Greens had light rail policies and the Canberra public were aware what they would get if the Greens/Labor government was returned. The Canberra Liberals had no public transport policy at that election, and have no public transport policy now.

The main attack on Capital Metro seems to focus on the cost, and whether Canberra really needs better public transport. The other claim is that the light rail project is a form of indulgence to keep Green MLA Shane Rattenbury’s support in the Assembly. Both claims are wrong, and misplaced.

There is strong community support for light rail, and there has been for many years. It is a public transport concept that people realise can improve both public transport patronage and the future shape of Canberra.

There is also broad support for light rail from all three of Canberra’s major political parties; some Canberra Liberals are members of ACT Light Rail, a community group that has been campaigning for improved public transport in the Canberra region for more than a decade. When the Canberra Liberals publicly posture against the project, it is not a true representation of public support – it is naked politics.

Although the focus is on the cost of Capital Metro, little focus has been placed on the costs of not building this first stage of Canberra’s light rail: a continuing decline in public transport patronage, the productivity loss, the cost to families owning multiple cars, and the lost economic opportunity from using open space as car parking for 10 hours a day.

The opportunity to redevelop Northbourne Avenue, decrease congestion and guide higher density along transit corridors are compelling reasons for beginning the network between Gungahlin and Civic. In future, other parts of Canberra will benefit when the network is extended across the lake.

A nagging doubt in some people’s minds is the affordability of the light rail project. That needs to be put into perspective. The ACT has an economy of $4 billion a year and rising. The ACT government
has committed to a territory-wide infrastructure program that will total $2.5 billion over four years. The cost of Capital Metro is around $620 million, spread over three years. The initial phase of Capital Metro will include rolling stock and maintenance and stabling infrastructure – future extensions will be much cheaper.

Public transport is an infrastructure investment, which provides benefits to all sectors of the community. It is not a tired government's vanity project.  However, the model that the ACT
government selects to fund the project must be announced and it must be sold well to the public.  Mishandling this aspect will lead to long-term political headaches for the government.

Although the government has announced that it prefers a public-private partnership, several thought bubbles regarding levies and extra taxes have been floated through the media. The raising and handling of the money for this project will inevitably colour the public’s view of it. It is fair to say the ALP government has a somewhat chequered past when it comes to managing major projects.

Regardless of where the money to build light rail comes from, $600 million over three years is an affordable major project. It is about the same cost that is spent on ACT roads annually. Unlike the construction or repair of an ordinary road, the delivery of Capital Metro will have significant benefits to the Canberra economy and the quality of life of residents.

The Liberal and Labor federal governments have preferred not to invest in ACT public transport infrastructure. The current federal government wants to invest in the "roads of the 21st century". The ACT should seize this opportunity to pay for its own public transport infrastructure and ask the federal government to pay for our roads. That is surely a proposal that would make the Canberra Liberals happy.

This year is a crucial year for the light rail project, as financing and engineering plans must both be finalised in order for construction to begin on schedule in early 2016. If properly managed the project can be delivered on time and on budget. By providing an extra $21 million for Capital Metro in this year's budget at least one tier of government is demonstrating that it is serious about Canberra’s transport requirements.

When we think of Canberra’s future we should think of a sophisticated city that is easy to move around, that offers easy access to our homes and public venues. The trips between the places we work and the places we live should be short and comfortable. Both the private car and better public transport are the key to this, not one or the other.

As declining public transport patronage rates show, we have outgrown the ability of a bus-only public transport system to move us around. The ACT government realises this and is working on a better system, that is scalable, for our future.

Our city is growing and we need to choose whether we are a city designed for people, or the private car. A well-run light rail network will be the backbone of a liveable city. Canberra is not just another town in Australia, it is our nation's capital and it deserves world-class public transport, not five cars in each driveway.

Damien Haas is chairman of ACT Light Rail, the peak public transport lobby group in the Canberra region. Mr Haas is not a member of any party, but assisted Liberal candidate Matt Watts at the last Assembly election.

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

Integrating Capital Metro with existing transport infrastructure

Credit should be given where its due, and the new Greens/ACT Government have started planning for Capital Metro less than six weeks after being returned at the October Assembly election. The ACT Government have advertised a contract seeking advice on integrating existing transport infrastructure with the Capital Metro project. This is a good first step to take. 

Announcing the contract details today, Minister Corbell said: 

"This report will also inform government about what extra transport planning work will be required to ensure this project is delivered properly."

"Light rail will be an addition to our existing public transport network in the ACT, and therefore this study will provide detailed and essential analysis of how the bus network and the new Capital Metro will work in tandem to best meet the needs of our community."

Read the Canberra Times story online here and the ABC online story here.

An infrastructure project of the magnitude being undertaken requires good governance, and sound planning before the first sod is turned. Although the government is yet to conduct an engineering study, it is sensible to examine how you might want your existing transport infrastructure - like buses, bus stops and park and rides - to be integrated with Capital Metro.

A major selling point of light rail is capacity on the vehicles themselves. Most modern light rail vehicles can carry 200 to 300 passengers. This will reduce the burden on ACTION buses along the Gungahlin - Civic corridor and enable those buses to be re-tasked. This could result in more frequent local bus services in Gungahlin (ideally a bus every 20 minutes or less), or an increase in frequency on other high volume routes (Woden to Civic, Civic to Tuggeranong, Civic to Belconnen).

An aspect which also needs to be closely looked at is the location of Park and Rides.  If they are poorly located or provided with insufficient car spaces, then they will not provide the benefits to the network that can be achieved. Integrating the light rail stops with the existing bicycle path network would also assist both cyclists and commuters.

On 666 radio this morning Minister Corbell also spoke of Dickson as a major hub. This was a feature of one of the progress reports published in early 2012. At that time, the plan was to convert the ACT Motor vehicle testing shed as a light rail/bus/retail centre. This is a concept we need to hear more details of. Im not sure that diverting the main route off Northbourne into Dickson central, is a sound idea. 

As a first step towards laying the rails, this is a welcome announcement from the ACT Government. 

Barr, Corbell and Rattenbury to oversee light rail construction

The Civic to Gungahlin light rail project will be overseen by a sub-committee consisting of Andrew Barr, Simon Corbell and Shane Rattenbury. This was announced on Andrew Barrs facebook page today. 

ACT Light Rail will be contacting this group in the very near future.

The ACT does not have a 'transport minister', transport being such a small and unimportant part of peoples lives. This minor portfolio is divided into components such as road maintenance and ACTION Buses, within the auspices of the Territory and Municipal Services portfolio.  

In the new Labor/Greens coalition government, Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury is now the TAMS Minister, in addition to six other ministries. Today he announced the following:

"Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) provides many of the services that Canberrans enjoy daily, such as building and maintaining paths and roads, libraries and waste management. It also manages Canberra’s urban and natural environment, such as nature parks, playgrounds and streetscapes.

“My goal will be to deliver these local Government services effectively and efficiently, as well as to continue improvements and innovate in key areas.

“The Greens-Labor Parliamentary Agreement sets out several exciting areas for progress in TAMS, such as improved buses and progressing light rail, enhancing biodiversity protection in Canberra’s nature parks and on rural lands, and cleaning up Canberra’s lakes.


Read a Canberra Times article on the new ministerial allocations here. 

ACT Light Rail were advised before the Assembly election that management of the Civic to Gungahlin project would be handled by the Land Development Agency. We will be seeking clarification on the structure of any committees and bodies responsible for delivering the first stage of Capital Metro. 

In one important area it makes sense  as light rail needs to be integrated with ACTION bus services. Improving ACTION bus services is a whole different sack of cats, which is brave for a new minister to tackle. 

I'd urge all reading this to visit our Facebook page. Snippets which don't make the webpage are often posted there. 

Light rail determines ACT Government

Today, last Green standing, MLA Shane Rattenbury announced he is supporting Katy Gallagher and the ALP to form government. He is to become a minister in the Greens/ALP government.

The first thing he mentioned after announcing who he would support, was light rail.

Following his statement of support for an ALP government, he took questions from journalists and announced the following:

• asked by a journalist what his ministry would be he said that hadn't been finalised yet, but he wanted to play a role in the delivery of the light rail system. 
• light rail works will commence during the course of this term of assembly
• in briefings from the appropriate bureaucrats they indicated works could begin in 2015
• the funding model would be in the form of a Public Private Partnership. 
• Expressions of Interest would be called for
• There is an 'iron clad commitment' from the ALP to delivering this.

This is an excellent result for Canberra's future.