29 August 2016

Fitzharris promises seven new rapid bus services

| Charlotte
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Meegan Fitzharris

If re-elected in October, the ACT Government will expand the Rapid Bus Network from two services to nine over the next four years, requiring the purchase of 80 new buses, hiring of 80 new drivers and design of a new Northside depot at a cost of more than of $100 million.

Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris said today that the first additions to the rapid bus network (see map below), in 2017, would be the extension of the Blue Rapid to Lanyon, completing the Blue Rapid link from Kippax to the Lanyon Valley, a new Green Rapid from Woden to the City via Manuka and Barton, and the Black Rapid from Belconnen to Gungahlin.

Two of the routes, to be added in 2020, would service Canberra Airport (one from Tuggeranong and the other from Belconnen).

The Canberra Liberals announced their own plan to add six new routes to the Rapid Bus Network earlier this year, arguing additional rapid buses were a better option than light rail.

Ms Fitzharris said today that the Government’s Rapid Bus Network would integrate high frequency buses with the first and future stages of light rail as well as other regular and peak express services.

“Transport Canberra has been working hard to analyse our MyWay data and customer feedback including through the Transport Canberra survey to develop a clear plan for the rollout of our rapid network,” the Minister said.

“These improvements to the Rapid Bus Network will be on top of our plans to deliver light rail, trial electric buses, reform our ticketing system, build more Park and Rides and Bike and Rides, regulate innovative new services like ride sharing and car sharing, smart parking and autonomous vehicles.”

During 2015-16 Blue Rapid services carried more than 4 million passengers, and the Red Rapid carried more than 1 million passengers.

Ms Fitzharris said the new Rapid Bus Network would be supported by an additional $55 million investment for services, at least 100 new jobs, and $51 million for the 80 new buses and the design of a new depot in the north of Canberra.

She said rapid services for post-2017 rollout would include:

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)

The Labor Minister said the services would be phased in so that the Government could ensure integration with walking and cycling infrastructure and Park and Ride facilities, and that services were direct and took people where they wanted to go.

“It will also ensure that we can reallocate the 1.2 million bus kilometres that will be freed up by the first stage of the light rail network,” Ms Fitzharris said.

ACT Government rapid bus plan

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chewy14 said :

Instead we have the government utilising every ratepayer’s money to fund a huge windfall gain in property price rises to those who live along the route…

And, of course, for some who don’t live but have invested along the route – like Shane “Feeney” Rattenbury …

Looks as though Labor is running scared on the light rail issue …

it takes 2 + years to get a new bus route ? wtf

bennygrocott1:34 pm 02 Sep 16

Love this .

Belconnen to Airport! Oh that would be so amazing. The number 10 is what I have to catch from civic and the frequency is every hour. Its so annoying. If I miss it even for a second, ill have to wait a whole hour. I really hope this new bus comes soon.

Genie said :

I have 2 questions.

1. Why is it going to take upwards of 3 years to commence a bus route to the airport?

2. Why are the Gungahlin to City Red Rapid buses being discontinued just because of light rail ? The price of a ticket better remain the same.

1. Because it’ll end up being a platform for the next election. They don’t have to cover the cost now. Libs will get criticised for not doing it when they get in.

2. Ticket prices are going to increase with or without light rail as patronage is decreasing and costs increasing. If they kept buses they admit that people don’t want a tram.
People still wanting the rapid route proves that having to change transport modes in civic deters people from public transport.

I like how everyone jumps on to criticise my first posts on this and claim there are no facts. Then when it comes to light they all run off and hide.

I wouldn’t mind catching a bus but there isn’t one that doesn’t end up with me spending 3 hours in commuting a day.

I wonder if the new free civic bus isn’t just a cheap way to increase numbers. Putting in a service that people should just have walked to say that action is doing more trips. That’s if people are actually using it.

bennygrocott11:39 am 31 Aug 16

I really like it

I have 2 questions.

1. Why is it going to take upwards of 3 years to commence a bus route to the airport?

2. Why are the Gungahlin to City Red Rapid buses being discontinued just because of light rail ? The price of a ticket better remain the same.

Well, it’s a pretty map, but these things always do look pretty on paper. Unless you live in eastern Tuggeranong, in which case, sucks to be you.

The Athllon Drive stops are confusing. A new Park & Ride for Wanniassa was promised in this year’s budget. This plan looks like two stops are to be installed on Athllon Dr between Sulwood Dr and Drakeford Dr (there’s currently none), but that the Park & Ride is the southernmost one of the two. Does that mean the Park & Ride isn’t going to be near Wanniassa shops (but rather closer to Greenaway)? Installing a Blue Rapid stop at Wanniassa shops, with no additional parking, is going to be a mess.

Mordd said :

gooterz said :

Wouldn’t the loss of the tram be based on the commuters and ticket sales?

More commuters means slightly less loss. (except in the case they can cut services due to lower demand they might save a bit there).

Are they locked in to todays interest rates? Or yesterdays. The reserve bank just recently cut interest rates. I’m glad we get todays as they were higher last week.

Its only saving money(maybe) if interest rates increase. If we head into debt in other area’s we’ll have to borrow at a higher rate to cover the costs. Where as if we didn’t just blow it all on light rail we would avoid borrowing.

Since the interest rates are negotiated, as part of the negotiations before the contract was signed, the month to month fluctuation of the reserve bank published rate has little impact on this really, they are not the same things and I think you know that.

Would depend on the currency of the agreement.
If the AUD goes down is it related. Its also quite possible that the rate is a function of the official interest rate. If Australia goes though high inflation in the next 20 years (which is likely) then the consortium loses out.

Alas all these what if’s could be put to bed if the now signed agreement was made public. Perhaps it’ll be made public after the next election by the libs when they get into power.

gooterz said :

Wouldn’t the loss of the tram be based on the commuters and ticket sales?

More commuters means slightly less loss. (except in the case they can cut services due to lower demand they might save a bit there).

Are they locked in to todays interest rates? Or yesterdays. The reserve bank just recently cut interest rates. I’m glad we get todays as they were higher last week.

Its only saving money(maybe) if interest rates increase. If we head into debt in other area’s we’ll have to borrow at a higher rate to cover the costs. Where as if we didn’t just blow it all on light rail we would avoid borrowing.

Since the interest rates are negotiated, as part of the negotiations before the contract was signed, the month to month fluctuation of the reserve bank published rate has little impact on this really, they are not the same things and I think you know that.

Wouldn’t the loss of the tram be based on the commuters and ticket sales?

More commuters means slightly less loss. (except in the case they can cut services due to lower demand they might save a bit there).

Are they locked in to todays interest rates? Or yesterdays. The reserve bank just recently cut interest rates. I’m glad we get todays as they were higher last week.

Its only saving money(maybe) if interest rates increase. If we head into debt in other area’s we’ll have to borrow at a higher rate to cover the costs. Where as if we didn’t just blow it all on light rail we would avoid borrowing.

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

So the tram project is already locked in at todays interest rates (which are currently low) for the next 20 years, and the renewable energy projects that are funding our 100% 2020 target are locked in for 20 or 30 years respectively, depending on the contract, netting us a windfall over time. So you can’t lock it in for 20 or 30 years how? Seems you obviously can, since we have ALREADY DONE IT.

I thought the project was being funded by a PPP. Accordingly, interest rates have nothing to do with the issue.

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

So the tram project is already locked in at todays interest rates (which are currently low) for the next 20 years, and the renewable energy projects that are funding our 100% 2020 target are locked in for 20 or 30 years respectively, depending on the contract, netting us a windfall over time. So you can’t lock it in for 20 or 30 years how? Seems you obviously can, since we have ALREADY DONE IT.

It’s actually irrelevant whether they’ve locked in lower interest rates or not because it completely ignores the opportunity cost of the spending.

A poor return is still a poor return no matter what the interest rate, particularly when the money could have been used on far more productive infrastructure at those same low interest rates.

Mordd - IndyMedia6:49 pm 30 Aug 16

So the tram project is already locked in at todays interest rates (which are currently low) for the next 20 years, and the renewable energy projects that are funding our 100% 2020 target are locked in for 20 or 30 years respectively, depending on the contract, netting us a windfall over time. So you can’t lock it in for 20 or 30 years how? Seems you obviously can, since we have ALREADY DONE IT.

bennygrocott3:55 pm 30 Aug 16

I will love this.

chewy14 said :

Yes, it was definitely no secret that the bus option provided far more value than the Tram, it was even in the government’s own business plan.

The interesting thing to see in the article is that the way the tram was being justified was not as a transport project but as a value capture project along the route and that one obvious way of doing so would be a direct levy for it’s construction to those along that route who benefit the most.

Instead we have the government utilising every ratepayer’s money to fund a huge windfall gain in property price rises to those who live along the route.

Good for some hey.

Well said.

Garfield said :

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

rommeldog56 said :

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Right. That would be like the “facts” and assumptions in the ACT Govt’s business case for the Tram ????

You mean like the fact that “Locking in record low interest rates for 30 years makes building them now a bargain.” – that’s a quote from the Canberra Times btw.

Or the fact that the Liberals have admitted we will need it in only 20 years time, but they just don’t want to build it right now (maybe in 10 years they would though? who knows).

Or the fact that we could have an ACT wide network connecting all the major locations and still have it all cost less than 1% of the overall ACT budget?

Those facts?

Would you stop lying on the Liberals having said Canberra will need light rail in no more than 20 years. What they said was IF its needed in 20 or 30 or 40 years the ACT government will own the plans.

You should have a look at the Canberra Times this morning. They’ve obtained a report under FOI that says in 2013 the government knew that rapid buses provided more than twice the value to the ACT taxpayer than the tram. The tram is a political child of the marriage between Labor & the Greens after the 2012 election.

Yes, it was definitely no secret that the bus option provided far more value than the Tram, it was even in the government’s own business plan.

The interesting thing to see in the article is that the way the tram was being justified was not as a transport project but as a value capture project along the route and that one obvious way of doing so would be a direct levy for it’s construction to those along that route who benefit the most.

Instead we have the government utilising every ratepayer’s money to fund a huge windfall gain in property price rises to those who live along the route.

Good for some hey.

Maybe it’s a long bow to pull but could it be that now all vestiges of Capital Metro have gone this bus plan and the front page story in today’s Canberra Times (Buses beat tram:report”) are signs that the whole light rail project will be scrapped before the election?
There are still costings to be revealed and remember there was an escape clause in the “business plan” that allows the government to withdraw “honourably” if the cost is deemed too high (it already is).
On top of all that we have the familiar sorries that happen with all light rail projects namely the disruption to business activity during and after construction http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/southern-courier/kensington-shop-owners-say-theyre-forced-to-close-or-move-while-businesses-in-kingsford-brace-themselves-for-the-light-rail/news-story/5a0c5cc85907048ff9eb7cc4c61a24ed.
When construction starts between Canberra City and Dickson all parking on the roads adjacent to Northbourne Avenue will have to be abolished to create clearways for detoured road traffic.
To abandon the project now is the only sensible thing left to do.

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Or the fact that the Liberals have admitted we will need it in only 20 years time, but they just don’t want to build it right now (maybe in 10 years they would though? who knows).

Or the fact that we could have an ACT wide network connecting all the major locations and still have it all cost less than 1% of the overall ACT budget? Those facts?

The “build it now” argument : No. This is not a national infrastructure project that will spur on national economic development – like the Snowy Mountains Scheme was to do. It is not necessary now. Also, when the ACT Gov’t takes control of it in 20+ years time, it will no doubt need refurbishment if it is to continue in use. IMHO, all this tram will do is to move commuters Gunners to Civic in roughly the same time as a rapid bus will do. Oh, and get drunks back to a tram station in Gunners after a night out, so they can drive home from there of course.

The 1% of the budget was spin and was discredited both on here and elsewhere. The ACT Auditor General said that the total cost would be about b$1.7+ (ie. the amount of Ratepayers money that will be paid to the consortia) – and that’s just for the 1st 12 Ks of track !

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

rommeldog56 said :

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Right. That would be like the “facts” and assumptions in the ACT Govt’s business case for the Tram ????

You mean like the fact that “Locking in record low interest rates for 30 years makes building them now a bargain.” – that’s a quote from the Canberra Times btw.

Or the fact that the Liberals have admitted we will need it in only 20 years time, but they just don’t want to build it right now (maybe in 10 years they would though? who knows).

Or the fact that we could have an ACT wide network connecting all the major locations and still have it all cost less than 1% of the overall ACT budget?

Those facts?

Would you stop lying on the Liberals having said Canberra will need light rail in no more than 20 years. What they said was IF its needed in 20 or 30 or 40 years the ACT government will own the plans.

You should have a look at the Canberra Times this morning. They’ve obtained a report under FOI that says in 2013 the government knew that rapid buses provided more than twice the value to the ACT taxpayer than the tram. The tram is a political child of the marriage between Labor & the Greens after the 2012 election.

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

pajs said :

gooterz said :

Please reelect us so we can do something we should have already done. Libs map is much better this just focuses on the north side. 2/10

Um, 4 of the 7 new routes are Southside…

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Are increased rates facts? or facts of life?

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

rommeldog56 said :

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Right. That would be like the “facts” and assumptions in the ACT Govt’s business case for the Tram ????

You mean like the fact that “Locking in record low interest rates for 30 years makes building them now a bargain.” – that’s a quote from the Canberra Times btw.

Or the fact that the Liberals have admitted we will need it in only 20 years time, but they just don’t want to build it right now (maybe in 10 years they would though? who knows).

Or the fact that we could have an ACT wide network connecting all the major locations and still have it all cost less than 1% of the overall ACT budget?

Those facts?

30 years ago we assumed we’d have hover boards and flying cars. Instead we got some weird ‘hoverboard’ and google cars. 20 years from now we’ll likely know whats happening with the peak fuel and Electric cars will be much more common. However I still think people are going to want to sit down in 20 years from now!

For those playing at home:
Gold Line

“Gold Line is the name given to the common route operated by routes 2 and 3 between the City, Parkes, Barton, Parliament House and Deakin. Between 7 am and 7 pm weekdays, these route combine to provide a 15-minute frequency along the common route corridor”

“Green Line is the name given to the common routes operated by routes 4 and 5 firstly between the City West district, City Bus Station, Russell, Barton, Kingston and Manuka; and secondly from Woden Bus Station to Canberra Hospital and Goyder Street, Narrabundah. Between 7 am and 7 pm weekdays, these routes combine to provide a 15-minute frequency along both of the common route corridors.”

-Wikipedia

These were already routes that were previously taken away. or at least not marketed as rapid services anymore.

The pink, purple and purple both follow the same paths such that there is only 3 separate paths for a tiny bit of the journey. So realistically they are just one service. Which makes these routes particularly unlikely to actually be around long. They’ll just merge them together.
There are no routes between Woden and Belconnen or Molonglo and Belconnen or Molongo and Tuggeranong. The Purple rapid service doesn’t stop anywhere but Erindale between Woden and Tuggeranong.

None of the routes go down Parkes way. Or stop at the Arboretum, Western foreshore.

I can’t help but notice that light rail makes the bus maps particularly hard. It would make much more sense if light rail was the centre route ringed by bus services that drop off at the edges.

Barton and parkes have a bottleneck of 6 rapid services. Why light rail wasn’t approached there is just crazy.

All in all they’ve switched the Gold and Green line routes for one line that extends to western creek. Which is a whole new area. So there is zero actual increase in bus services. The only other change is the route to Erindale, of which there is nothing there to get excited about. There is no park and ride and no bike facilities.

Likewise for Lanyon and Coolemon court.

Fact. Action ridership is going down
Total vehicle kilometres travelled Kilometres
2013-2014 : 28,770,581
2014-2015 : 25,603,699

Despite there being more people in Canberra there were less trips in 2014-2015 than in 2013-2014
another year on decrease of 1%.

The Libs said they would scrap Light rail and do more buses. Now Labor is saying they’ll also need more buses. So what is the point of the light rail?

I’m glad the Map looks like its done in the metro style.

Anyone who isn’t blind will also see that with increased buses, decreased trips and fares that the prices will increase too.

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

You mean like the fact that “Locking in record low interest rates for 30 years makes building them now a bargain.” – that’s a quote from the Canberra Times btw.

To address just one of your absurd “facts”. Anyone who thinks u can lock in record low interest rates over a 30 year contract is delusional. Anyone who actually believes that spin from the ACT labor/Greens Gov’t simply should not be voting – because they are far too gullible.

This is an international consortia we have contracted with. Hell would freeze over before they – or any other supplier – would sign a contract locking in record low interest rates for 30 years. The concept is laughable. Make the contract public for all to see.

Mordd - IndyMedia10:14 pm 29 Aug 16

rommeldog56 said :

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Right. That would be like the “facts” and assumptions in the ACT Govt’s business case for the Tram ????

You mean like the fact that “Locking in record low interest rates for 30 years makes building them now a bargain.” – that’s a quote from the Canberra Times btw.

Or the fact that the Liberals have admitted we will need it in only 20 years time, but they just don’t want to build it right now (maybe in 10 years they would though? who knows).

Or the fact that we could have an ACT wide network connecting all the major locations and still have it all cost less than 1% of the overall ACT budget?

Those facts?

Mordd – IndyMedia said :

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

Right. That would be like the “facts” and assumptions in the ACT Govt’s business case for the Tram ????

I really like it. It kinda looks like an ‘overground’ metro system which is what it should be for usability, clarity, simplicity etc. What would make it even better is if it came with bus lanes in congestion spots, as well as better supporting infrastructure like quality bus stops with digital displays and signage, more places you can lock up a bike, etc.

Mordd - IndyMedia7:57 pm 29 Aug 16

pajs said :

gooterz said :

Please reelect us so we can do something we should have already done. Libs map is much better this just focuses on the north side. 2/10

Um, 4 of the 7 new routes are Southside…

Don’t be too harsh, he’s just doing what the Liberals do with the tram, making up the “facts” that suit their point of view.

gooterz said :

Please reelect us so we can do something we should have already done. Libs map is much better this just focuses on the north side. 2/10

Um, 4 of the 7 new routes are Southside…

How many will catch the bus from Gungahlin to Belconnen then to Civic likely be quicker and they can sitdown or avoid a transfer in the city.

Why is there no coverage of the ‘safe schools’

Please reelect us so we can do something we should have already done. Libs map is much better this just focuses on the north side. 2/10

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