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'.  

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'.  

Construction begins on Capital Metro Light Rail Stage One at the Mitchell Depot

Every day more progress is made towards better public transport in Canberra. Last week new bus services were announced, this week construction on light rail commences on a 70 million dollar light rail depot in Mitchell. Light rail vehicles will be housed and maintained there when the depot is completed.

For several months surveyors have been up and down the corridor in preparation for works commencing in earnest. With the first sod turned at the Mitchell depot the light rail project is becoming more real every day.

ACT Government Ministers and senior staff from Transport Canberra and Canberra Metro attended the Mitchell Depot site off Flemington Road for the sod-turning ceremony. Light rail is on its way and progress has been rapid since the contract was signed between the Canberra Metro consortium and the ACT Government in April..

WIN TV Canberra carried this report on 12 July 2016

ABC TV Canberra carried this report on 12 July 2016

This press release was issued on 12 July 2016:

First sod turned on stage one of city wide light rail network

Today the ACT Government marked the start of stage one of the city wide light rail network for Canberra.

Construction of the first phase of the project is underway, creating thousands of jobs throughout the life span of the project.

As part of Transport Canberra’s integrated network, light rail will transform our growing city, taking thousands of cars off the road by providing a genuine alternative to driving, generating jobs, attracting investment and revitalising the main gateway to the city. The project will change how we use public transport, which is essential given there will be almost 500,000 people living in Canberra by 2031.

Construction of the first stage will be complete by the end of 2018 so that operations can commence in 2019.

The Government will be making further commitments on public transport in coming months, including on future stages of the light rail network – demonstrating our commitment to a city wide improvement of public transport.

Minister Fitzharris said the project demonstrates the ACT Government’s commitment to addressing congestion now, rather than waiting until the city is gridlocked.

“Light rail will transform our city, and today marks the start of a whole new transport journey for Canberra. It’s all part of our plan to keep Canberra moving,” Minister Fitzharris said.

“Congestion on our roads is only going to get worse if we don’t increase our public transport mix. We need to start changing how we move around our city, and I’m proud that this Government is delivering light rail now, before congestion chokes our roads.

“The way we are delivering light rail – through a public private partnership – means we can actually spread the cost of the project over a 20-year period making it really affordable like any other project or service we deliver over many years. Light rail is not only great for our city, but it’s affordable.

“I can also reveal that the consortium building light rail has to achieve excellent outcomes for the community in line with key performance indicators before we make any payments, so the community can have confidence this will be a great addition to our public transport network.”

A range of construction activities will now commence, starting with utility relocation and protection. More visible construction, like track works and landscaping, will commence later in the year.

Construction will be undertaken to minimise disruption to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Standard construction hours for the project are expected to be between 7am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. Some work will be undertaken on Sundays and at night as needed to reduce the impact to traffic.

To minimise impacts on traffic movements, the route will be divided into six working zones and each zone will be subdivided into smaller construction areas. There will be a range of mitigation measures in place to reduce the impacts of construction, and the community will be provided updates before construction activities begin in each zone.

The sod turning took place today in Mitchell where the light rail depot site will be located. The Mitchell site will incorporate a stabling yard for light rail vehicles, a maintenance facility and the operations centre.

The light rail project is part of the ACT Labor-Greens Parliamentary Agreement.

The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here. 



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

Weston Creek direct bus service and free City Loop bus services announced

Public transport will be a key Assembly election subject and the ACT Government are getting in early by announcing a range of measures to improve bus services for all parts of Canberra. This is in addition to the Capital Metro Stage One light rail (that has already commenced construction) that will when it begins operation in 2019, free up one million bus kilometres that can be used to improve bus services in other parts of Canberra.

Today the Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris announced the following transport improvements for Canberra's bus network:

•  a free City Loop bus service for commuters travelling in Canberra’s CBD;
• $10 million over two years for 20 new buses as part of the ongoing fleet replacement program;
• $3.5 million over four years for improvements to public transport services in Weston Creek and the Molonglo region. 
• A new all-day direct service called the Weston Line providing improved connectivity between Woden, Cooleman Court in Weston and the City.  
• increased bus coverage and frequency in Wright
• Route 83 and Xpresso 783 services will be extended to include Coombs. 
• $1.5 million for the design and construction of a new Park and Ride facility in Wanniassa;
• $300,000 for improvements to the Woden bus interchange to provide a better bus station for the Woden town centre;
• $900,000 for a 12-month trial of up to three electric buses on regular on- and off-peak route services; and
• $775,000 for the design of a new bus depot in Woden to cater for growth in the bus fleet and meet the future needs of bus transport in the ACT.  

These are significant improvements to the public transport network and build upon upgrades in services and fleet modernisation that have been underway for some time. These improvements to a bus service that has been experiencing a  decline in patronage are important.

It is widely expected that when Capital Metro commences services that bus patronage will also rise. This has been the experience in other places where light rail has been introduced (on the Gold Coast bus services saw a 22% rise in patronage after light rail started operations). Our bus fleet must not only be able to cope with an increase in patronage, but offer a compellingly pleasant alternative for people to continue to chose public transport as their primary mode of travel to and from work.

A bus only public transport network, as the Canberra Liberals would prefer, is not the best way for Canberra to progress as we are simply to large and are continuing to grow, but it is important that we make our buses operate as efficiently and attractively as possible. Buses will always be a vital part of an integrated transport network that has light rail as its primary mass transit backbone, more frequent local bus services, a strong active travel (cycling and walking) focus and ample Park and Ride facilities.

free City Loop bus service route

Weston Line and Molonglo services

WIN TV Canberra covered the announcement here

ABC TV Canberra covered the announcement here

The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here and followed up in its next edition with this editorial praising the move.

ABC Online covered the announcement here.

Full media release below.

Canberra celebrates as light rail contract signed for Capital Metro Stage One

Civic Plaza (proposed)

The signing of contracts between the ACT Government and the Canberra Metro consortium to construct and operate the first stage of Capital Metro has been received tremendously positively.

It has received wide media coverage online, on television, radio and the Canberra Times.

Minister Simon Corbell said the light rail contract also delivered additional features that would improve the way Canberrans make use of inner city spaces. A new area called Civic Plaza will create an accessible, usable and vibrant space between the Sydney and Melbourne buildings that will link the east and west sides of the CBD.
“With the new Civic Plaza we will create an area that brings people together in the middle of our city, bridging the gap between east and west,” Mr Corbell said.
“The upgraded Alinga Street terminus will give us a destination worthy of its place in the heart of the city and the dynamic lighting at stops along the route will add to the vibrancy of Canberra nights and will improve the experience of people using the corridor no matter which method they choose to travel.
“The artists impressions released today are just an example of how this space could be developed into a active and enjoyable community space.”
Mr Corbell said over the 20 years of the contract the annual availability payment, which includes operational costs such as electricity, drivers and maintenance as well as construction costs, would be approximately $48m in the first 12 months of operations and finish at approximately $75m for the last 12 months of the contract term in 2038, with an average annual availability payment of approximately $64m.
“Over its 20 year operations period this contract will account for less than 1 per cent of ACT Government expenditure,” Mr Corbell said.
“The Australian Government has also demonstrated its support by increasing its contribution to the project to $67 million.
“We are committed to building a city that continues to be one of the most liveable places in the world. The opportunity to build such a bold and visionary project shows that Canberra is a city of innovation, sustainable living and truly part of the global economy.”

The contract’s capital cost will be approximately $710 million, much less than the cost originally estimated in the business case for the project. This cost will be finalised when financial close for the project is reached in the coming weeks.
The ACT Government would be making a capital contribution of $375m towards the project in 2018-19. This $375m is funded from the sale of assets – such as ACTTAB, ageing public housing and ACT Government office accommodation – and includes a 15% bonus from the Commonwealth as part of the Asset Recycling Initiative, a sum of $60m that the Federal Liberal government recently announced would be increased to $67m solely for use on light rail.


The first stage of Canberra’s light rail network is an important part of the government’s integrated transport plan. As of July 1, the new Transport Canberra agency will coordinate buses and light rail planning, timetabling and fares and will develop a single ticket for use across the system, which will help to manage Canberra’s growth by reducing congestion on Canberra’s roads.

Figures for availability payments exclude territory contingency amounts and are approximate until the project reaches financial close in the coming weeks.

The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here.

ABC TV News Canberra broadcast this on 17 May 2016

WIN TV Canberra broadcast this on 17 may 2016

Simon Corbell posted this to Facebook:

Government confirms Capital Metro Stage Two will be an election policy

Facebook page of Tara Cheyne Labor candidate for Ginninderra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

National Capital Authority approves light rail along Northbourne Avenue

The National Capital Authority has approved the Works Applications for Capital Metro Stage One. NCA Chair Malcolm Snow said that the NCA had a responsibility "to ensure the highest standards of planning and development are adhered to. We must be satisfied that the urban design and landscape quality of the corridor is appropriate for Canberra's main approach, consistent with its national significance."

This endorsement by the NCA enables contracts for construction to be signed between the ACT Government and the Canberra Metro consortium, and construction to commence.

The area with a blue border is subject to NCA Works Approval

As our nations capital, Canberra has two planning approval authorities. ACTPLA are the local authority for most development applications, and the National Capital Authority are responsible for works approvals on National Capital land.

In addition, they have to approve works along approaches to Canberra in accordance with legislation governing the capital. Some of these covering regulations concern limiting building heights in some areas of Canberra (such as Civic, and along Northbourne) so that no building is higher than Parliament House.

Capital Metro Stage One runs from Gungahlin to Civic, along Flemington Road, the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue. The Northbourne corridor component of the project was subject to works approval by the NCA. Now that Capital Metro Stage One has been endorsed by the NCA, contracts can be signed between the ACT Government and the Canberra Metro consortium, with preliminary works commencing in June before full construction proeeds in October.

Separate works approvals will still be required for elements of the construction (including lighting, drainage and pedestrian and cycle paths north of Antill Street in Dickson). The NCA made a series of amendments to the submitted plans including removing a right hand turn from Northbourne Avenue to Rudd Street and signalising some intersections.

It is worth reading the NCA report (available here). Many of the submissions object to light rail and those objections are addressed by the NCA.

Bus only transport policy reactions not positive for Canberra Liberals

On March 31 the Canberra Liberals released their public transport policy for the October 2016 election. It calls for buses to be the sole public transport option for Canberra's future. Response has been muted, as the obvious flaws in the policy - no real costing, unrealistic proposals and promising things that are already planned, emerged.

"It is massively undercosted and we will be challenging them to provide actual costings" 

Transport Minister MLA Meegan Fitzharris 31 March on WIN TV News Canberra 

The Canberra Times covered reactions here 'Liberal bus plan unaffordable, light on detail'.

(TWU Secretary) Klaus Pinkas said the Liberals' proposal, unveiled on Thursday, had "some good ideas and great lines on the map", but was uncosted. He said bus drivers supported the idea of fewer stops on express services. "But it's just not costed. I don't know, you don't know and [Liberal leader] Jeremy Hanson doesn't know what the cost is."
The Liberals believe they can deliver the plan for the same amount currently spent on ACTION and the Capital Metro Agency combined, about $160 million a year. But the party admits it has no firm costings.
The government dismissed the proposal as "massively undercosted", but did not provide any of its own figures on what the Liberals' proposal might cost.
Mr Pinkas said Labor's plan for a tram line to Gungahlin was better because it meant far more jobs in construction. He said the Liberals' proposal would mean more bus drivers, but Labor's project would bring hundreds of construction jobs to build the tram and redevelop Northbourne Avenue.

The Liberals also propose a rapid service to Canberra Airport, plugging a long-lamented gap in bus routes. But it is unclear whether such a route could be delivered, given the current impasse, with the government so far unable to persuade the airport to allow ACTION buses.
A spokeswoman said the airport "welcomes any discussion about ground transport to the airport" but pointed out there were already ACTION buses to the Brindabella Business Park, about 500 metres from the terminal. A privately contracted shuttle bus ran from the terminal to Russell and the city.

Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the Liberals' proposal would cost hundreds of millions and take years to implement.
She said the policy lacked costings and relied on the Liberals spending millions on compensation to tear up light rail contracts. The government plans to create new bus routes after 2019, including through redeployment of buses from the city to Gungahlin corridor as tram services begin. They could include services to the Molonglo Valley and Weston Creek.
Ms Fitzharris said hundreds of new buses would be required for the Liberal plan, as well as at least two new depots. She said dead running would be an inevitable result of route specific vehicles and she questioned idea of colour coding buses.
"Labor introduced rapid bus routes, so we are obviously committed to those and we will be making further announcements with the roll out of our integrated transport agency on July 1 and also further announcements as we get closer to the election.
"I think there is no detail in the Canberra Liberals' plan. I think it is massively undercosted and I think we will be challenging them to provide actual costings for this, of what it will cost on top of the costs they will need to pay for scrapping and tearing up the light rail line."

ABC Online covered reactions here.

"Chief Minister Andrew Barr questioned the viability of the plan to expand the Rapid bus routes instead of building light rail.
Mr Barr said the consequences of cancelling light rail contracts would be severe.
"The Liberal Party proposes to spend hundreds of dollars on nothing," Mr Barr said.
"That is tearing up contracts and handing $60 million of Commonwealth funding back because the project that that money has been allocated to would not go ahead."
But he said he welcomed the debate.
"We think our plan through Transport Canberra will deliver a better public transport system for the city," Mr Barr said.
"It's a debate we're very happy to have.
"We look forward to that unfolding in the months ahead."

ABC TV Canberra carried this report on 31 March 2016

ABC TV Canberra interviewed MLA Alistair Coe on 31 March 2016

WIN TV Canberra carried this report on 31 March 2016

Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris released the following statement on the bus only policy:

Canberra Liberals bus plan doesn’t stack up

The Canberra Liberals have shown just how out of their depth they are when it comes to public transport with their announcement today that is massively under-costed and will only lead to more congestion on Canberra’s roads.
Minister for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris said the first step in their plan is to spend hundreds of millions of ratepayers’ money on nothing by cancelling the light rail project.
“What the Canberra Liberals won’t admit to is that by tearing up the light rail contracts, for a solution committed to before the last election, they will actually be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on nothing, including handing back $60 million to the federal government.
“The real solution for Canberra is an integrated transport network, which the ACT Government is delivering for our growing city.
“The ACT Government is establishing Transport Canberra on 1 July. Transport Canberra will focus on making the customer service experience even better with more transport choices as our population hits almost 500,000 people by 2035.
“Transport Canberra will also be responsible for integrating buses with light rail, taxis, car sharing and active travel, and ensuring a single ticketing system, a central contact for information and coordinated timetabling. And we are investing in an electric bus trial already.
“Part of Transport Canberra’s focus will also be on re-distributing the million bus kilometres that run along the stage 1 light rail route so they can provide a better service to our suburbs. This is a plan that is sustainable, more efficient and will cut our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Minister Fitzharris questioned the Canberra Liberals’ figures and said with no patronage figures or plan for bus priority around Canberra, more buses will simply mean more congestion on our roads.
“We estimate that the Canberra Liberals plan would actually require hundreds of new buses, more depots and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to implement. Then you have to factor in costs of setting up the depots, maintenance costs, staff costs, dead time running costs, costs of free travel after every eighth trip and costs of running very frequent buses on eight rapid routes. It’s easy to see that their figures don’t add up.
“This is on top of the current costs of running the ACTION network, and the increasing costs of congestion around Canberra which is tipped to reach $700 million by 2030. Their plan must be to cut local services and push up fares, and I think Canberrans have a right to know how much fares will go up.
“I’m also surprised they still have no plan for Northbourne Avenue, our most congested route, which will be transformed by light rail but left to perish by the Canberra Liberals.
“Then there is the lost opportunity costs associated with urban renewal and investment along high priority transport corridors. The facts are clear that light rail routes encourage renewal, investment and economic activity. The Canberra Liberals ignore this proven link.

“The Canberra Liberals’ plan doesn’t address congestion on our roads and spends millions on nothing. Only ACT Labor has a real plan for an integrated transport network for Canberra that improves the way we move around our city,” said Minister Fitzharris.



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

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'. 

Alistair Coe struggles to explain reasons for opposing light rail while Malcolm Turnbull endorses ACT Government policy

Canberra Liberals MLA Alistair Coe struggled to explain the reasons for opposing light rail in an interview with ABC Canberra's Virginia Hausegger during the week.

The Canberra Liberals have isolated themselves politically on yet another policy area, with Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull endorsing the ACT Governments taxation reform on stamp duty elimination on the ABC Insiders program. Phasing out stamp duty was another policy (along with light rail) that was supported by the electorate at the 2012 Assembly election.

ABC Canberra TV held an interview with MLA Alistair Coe discussing the breaking of contracts and sovereign risk concerns on 2 Feb 2016

ABC Insiders program interview with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull discussing the benefits of eliminating stamp duty, and pointing out the ACT is the only jurisdiction to attempt it, on 7  Feb 2016

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

Canberra Metro consortium announced as winners of bid to construct Capital Metro light rail in Canberra

The Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell today announced that the consortium Canberra Metro had been awarded the contract to construct and operate Capital Metro Stage One. Thus historic announcement came after several months of negotiations with the two shortlisted consortia.

The two consortia bidding for the contract were Canberra Metro and Activate. Both consortia had multinational expertise in construction and operation of light rail networks, and building light rail vehicles.

• Canberra Metro is comprised of Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, John Holland, Mitsubishi Corporation, Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments, Deutsche Bahn International and CAF.
• Activate is comprised of Downer EDI, Bombardier and Keolis Downer. It operates the new Gold Coast light rail and Melbourne's tram network.
• The contract will deliver 12km of light rail track, 13 stops, 14 light rail vehicles, a depot and 20 years of operation and maintenance.
• The winning bid was $698 million with a variance of 5%
• The project would provide up to $1.2 billion of benefits to the city, including through new jobs
• Light rail construction will conclude by late 2018 
• Capital Metro services will commence operations in early 2019
• A decision on the Russell extension will be made later this year
• Light Rail service would run from 6am to 1am with services every 6 minutes during peak times
• The removal of trees down Northbourne Avenue and the Federal Highway would be staged to minimise the visual impact of the project
• Submissions for the $783 million contract closed last September with the development application for the first stage approved last month.
• There will be initially be 14 light rail vehicle  costing $65 million powered by 100 per cent  renewable energy
• Each light rail vehicle will be able to carry 200 passengers

At the announcement of the awarding of the contract, Simon Corbell said:
"While the final cost will be confirmed when contracts are signed, the capital cost included in the winning bid is $698 million, with a variance of 5 per cent depending on contract negotiations and changes in market conditions between now and contract closure".
"Additionally, Canberra Metro will complete construction in late 2018 and begin operations in early 2019. This is sooner than previous estimates and means less disruption for Canberrans and faster access to the transformational effects of this city changing project," 
"The staged approach will mean that as sections of trees are removed, and replaced with 4m tall plantings, there will only be periods of 3-4 months where each section will be without trees," 

Canberra Liberals Alistair Coe has issued a statement:
The disrespect Andrew Barr and ACT Labor have for Canberrans is disgraceful as the government commits to a light rail tenderer without a mandate, Shadow Minister for Transport Alistair Coe said today.
“Andrew Barr is squandering taxpayers’ money without giving them an opportunity to have a say on how it should be spent,” Mr Coe said.
“Light rail is deeply unpopular in Canberra, but again today we see Andrew Barr is more interested in his own grandeur than providing responsible government for the ACT.
“Serious questions remain about the rate of finance, repayment information, the scope of the works and the government’s contribution to construction.
“Also, the fact that the government plans to begin construction just months before the election demonstrates it doesn’t take democracy seriously.“I again call on the Barr government to do the right thing and delay the light project until after the 2016 Election so Canberrans can decide how their money is spent,” 

ACT Light Rail Media release to local news outlets.

ACT Light Rail Chair Damien Haas is pleased at the announcement of a successful bidder to construct Capital Metro Stage One.

This announcement comes after several months of talks between the Government and the two shortlisted bidders.

Mr Haas said "The cost of $698 million is considerably lower than many had expected, and once the cost of stabling and vehicles is removed, makes the cost per kilometer comparable to other light rail
constructed in Australia recently."

"The competitive bid and the sooner than expected completion date, are compelling reasons to award the tender to this consortium. The sooner we can use light rail, the better".

On the subject of paying for Capital Metro Stage One, Mr Haas said "The $370 million raised from asset sales and the contribution of $60 million from the Federal Government for light rail means that we have over half of the total cost already covered before the first payment is due in 2019".

On the topic of contracts being cancelled if the Liberals won the Assembly election in 2016, Mr Haas said that "In the absence of any compelling public transport policy, I don't think that the electorate
will give Mr Hanson and Mr Coe that opportunity. Their own federal colleagues describe that as 'economic lunacy'." 

"I suggest that anyone who thinks that ripping up contracts is a winning policy, go to the Gold Coast and ask them if they want to shut down their light rail service."

Mr Haas said that ACT Light Rail looks forward to construction beginning in several months.

The Canberra Times reported on the announcement here.
ABC Online reported on the announcement here.

The media release from Andrew Barr and Simon Corbell can be found here.
The media release from greens MLA Shane Rattenbury can be found here.

ABC Canberra TV covered the announcement on 1 Feb 2016

WIN Canberra TV covered the announcement on 1 Feb 2016

ABC Canberra TV covered reaction to the announcement on 2 Feb 2016

ABC Canberra TV held an interview with MLA Alistair Coe discussing the breaking of contracts and sovereign risk concerns on 2 Feb 2016

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'. 

Privatising ACTION buses rejected by ACT Government, reform still needed to improve bus services

Shane Rattenbury - Minister for Transport Reform

The recent announcement of the creation of Transport Canberra, a single agency to oversee ACTION buses and Capital Metro, followed on from policy work performed by the ACT Government aimed at improving public transport service delivery and realising efficiencies. Introducing light rail will bring about a massive change to public transport usage and patronage. Transport Canberra will begin work on integrating light rail and ACTION services from July 2016. Light rail will commence services in 2019.

As part of this process, a review into ACTION bus services was commissioned and delivered by MRCagney. The major focus of the report so far has been on the recommendation that privatising ACTION Buses be considered. It advises that the privatisation of ACTION buses would cut costs and improve services.

The government has rejected this option. The government has announced that it will be  retaining ACTION in public ownership and will attempt to bring about service improvements and industrial reform through negotiation with the workforce.

Earlier in 2015, Minister Rattenbury said that 'no option was off the table' in regard to reform of the ACTION bus service.

ACT Light Rail would hope that transport reforms are focussed on expanding bus services to support light rail operations. Introducing light rail is proven to increase bus patronage. Gold Coast bus services have seen a patronage increase of 22% alongside the light rail line. Reducing ACTION Bus services will lead to a continued counter productive spiral in use. Strategies to encourage bus patronage need to be introduced to arrest decline. Light rail is one of these strategies. Paid parking in the Parliamentary Triangle is another.

Punishing people into using public transport is not going to work, but providing a better option than private motor vehicle use can work. Public transport that is reliable, frequent and attractive will attract increasing patronage.

Reform is needed in ACTION. Its workforce is well paid and the fleet is relatively modern. Issues with timeliness and satisfaction are worrying. Performance and productivity must be improved, and this must be a condition of any new enterprise bargaining agreement.  If there is a change of government at the Assembly election in 2016, the privatisation of ACTION may be revisited.

ABC summarises the key stats from the MRCagney report

Other recommendations from the MRCagney report were:

• the Government would save almost $5.5 million each year by bringing ACTION driver pay and conditions in line with other operators
• Changing trip caps and moving to distance-based fares would save ACTION money
• Outsourcing would deliver savings of as much as $47 million each year 
• Outsourcing vehicle maintenance and other functions were the most plausible options for improving efficiency and attractiveness of services 
• 116 bus services after 8pm on weekdays could be removed from the timetable due to low patronage 
• Bus drivers would go back on an award rate as opposed to generous EBA conditions if the network was privatised

Observations from the report:

• Canberra's buses recorded an operating loss of $11 million last year 
• ACT taxpayers paid $7.20 in public funding per passenger, twice what other similar public and private bus operations received
• since 1999 fares paid per passenger dropped 23%
• Cost per passenger has increased 38% over a 4 year period
• Only 17 per cent of ACTION's costs are recovered through fares, significantly lower than other public and private networks in Australian and New Zealand.
• Gross operating cost levels are 40 per cent above the levels of private operators, and 10-15 per cent above the levels of other public operators
• One of the major problems hampering the performance of Canberra's bus networks,  is an "expensive and inflexible" enterprise agreement with drivers  
• The average number of passengers on the services was 5.2, a low rate for services running 62 hours per day
• Customer satisfaction dropped from 87% to 65% over the last 5 years
• Bus patronage increased at only half the rate of population. 
• 97 per cent of Canberra's population is served by at least one route
• 15.2 per cent is served by only one route
• On-time running of bus services has been "well below the target set by the ACT government"
• total gross costs have grown considerably and the network's trends compare unfavourably with most metropolitan bus operations in Australia. 

ABC Online reports: ACTION buses to merge with Capital Metro as ACT Government ignores privatisation recommendation:

"Canberra's bus network will merge with Capital Metro, as the ACT Government ignores a strong recommendation to privatise ACTION.

A Government-commissioned report into the functioning and costs of running ACTION buses found savings of almost 50 per cent a year, or $47 million, could be made if the network was outsourced.
The MRCagney report recommendation was also strongly supported by the views of the World Bank on government-run public transport.
"All the evidence indicates that the adoption of an outsourcing policy is highly likely to be substantially more effective than other plausible policy options in improving the cost efficiency and enhancing the attractiveness of the services ... increasing patronage and fare revenue," the report said.
But, in response to the report, the ACT Government said it would instead merge both ACTION buses and the proposed Capital Metro system into a single agency known as Transport Canberra.
"Retaining the ACTION bus service in public hands also maintains the Government's full capacity to devise bus routes that meet community needs including for disadvantaged groups, rather than focussing solely on questions of efficiency," the Government said.
"The Government's chosen approach will keep the public asset in public hands and protect fair working arrangements for our workforce."


"The Government is also already taking forward MRCagney's practical recommendations around discouraging the use of cash [to speed up boarding buses] by trialing the cashless 202 from Gungahlin and promoting all-door access at busy corridors."


The Canberra Times report that "ACT government won't sell ACTION buses despite calls from expert review"

The ACT government has rejected expert calls to privatise ACTION, instead promising to improve services and increase public transport use by combining buses and light rail in a new stand-alone transport agency.

The report, received by the government in March but not released until this week, said privatisation would take several years to complete and would involve significant transition costs to the taxpayer. A sale would be in line with World Bank research on the cost of running public transport systems.
The new Transport Canberra agency will begin working on integration for buses and trams from July 1, 2016. Trams are set to begin running by 2019 or 2020.

Assistant Minister for Transport Reform Shane Rattenbury said any changes to pay and conditions for drivers and crews would require negotiations with unions as part of a new enterprise agreement, due in 2017.
"Clearly an expenditure review is focused on delivering business efficiencies," he said. "The government has looked at this review in light of that and our broader goals of making sure we're delivering a transport system that assists those in our city experiencing transport disadvantage.
"This is a public asset and the government wants to retain ownership of it so we can continue delivering services."

Mr Rattenbury said customer service would be central to any decision making by the new agency.
Decisions are still to be taken on whether the ACTION brand will be retained for Canberra's buses, or how existing senior public servants, including Capital Metro Agency director Emma Thomas, will be incorporated into the new agency. ACTION management, which has been part of the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate, has been reorganised this year.
The new agency could also prompt a stand-alone public transport ministry to be created before the October 2016 election, potentially allowing retiring Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell to hand over responsibility for the tram line.

ABC Canberra News report from 27 October

WIN News report from 27 october

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