31 May 2019

Greens call for upgrades to exposed and congested Civic interchange

| Ian Bushnell
Join the conversation
8
Caroline Le Couteur

Caroline Le Couteur: “We can’t have cars and buses and lots of people all using the same space.” Photo: Supplied.

The expanded bus interchange in the city is in urgent need of upgrades including shelters, a pedestrian-only zone and reduced speed limits, according to the ACT Greens.

Greens Transport spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur says the extension of the interchange into Alinga Street as part of the new bus network has left that area increasingly congested, with commuters exposed to the elements.

“For passengers and pedestrians, this now means standing out in the cold in near-freezing temperatures, without shelter from the wind or rain,” she said.

“If we’re committed to ensuring that more people take up active and public transport, then the Government needs to take further steps to ensure that all public transport passengers enjoy a comfortable experience. What’s available at Alinga Street is a wholly different experience to what’s now available at the nearby light rail stop.”

Ms Le Couteur says the area needs shelter from wind and rain in bus stop waiting areas and measures to safeguard pedestrians, including a new pedestrian crossing along West Row.

She says 40km/hr speed limits in the area between London Circuit and Barry Drive could also reduce the potential for accidents.

Ms Le Couteur says the area from Alinga Street between Moore Street and Northbourne Avenue could be a no-car zone, open only to pedestrians and cyclists.

“We can’t have cars and buses and lots of people all using the same space,” she said.

The area also needs infrastructure for cyclists and more space for bicycles, including sheltered parking racks.

Ms Le Couteur says seniors and people with a disability are struggling with the area and there needs to be work done to make it more accessible.

With such a large interchange people are also getting lost and confused when changing buses or moving from light rail to buses, and more signs are needed to guide them, she says.

“Fixing up this part of the interchange can be easily and cheaply done, ” Ms Le Couteur said.

Join the conversation

8
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

The area needs a greater police presence. Some guy in his late 20s tried to pick a fight with my 16yr old son last weekend for no reason. It’s a bit of a dodgy area.

wildturkeycanoe6:35 am 06 Jun 19

“We can’t have cars and buses and lots of people all using the same space,” What about bicycles and pedestrians? Bad mix, seeing how poor cyclists’ sharing skills are and their adherence to the road rules. What about buses and pedestrians? They will need to cross paths somewhere, how else do people board?
Whilst I agree about the shelters ( how are the tram stops going so far against the elements?), what about the sub-standard or non-existent ones in the suburbs where folks have to freeze their butts off waiting for services? The old concrete bunkers were a much better arrangement.

My experience is that cyclists are very good at sharing public space. But yes, we do switch btn being a ‘vehicle’ and a ‘pedestrian’ randomly.

Smells like Barrs plan all along.

Build light rail then get the greens to complain for the works that should have been factored or covered in the light rail spend.

If they build this then its additional cost to light rail and should be treated as such.

Where were the greens before the final light rail plans were tended, could they not have seen this coming.

Ahhh Carolyn Le Couter. Ignore the needs of all the low socio economic people in the outer suburbs who lost their Bus services. Instead fight for the people in the city centre who have to stand for a few minutes in the cold with only a high fashion outfit and silk scarf to keep them warm.

Leon Arundell9:00 am 03 Jun 19

Upgrading the Civic interchange would be a very small step towards meeting Labor’s commitment to “increasing the public transport share of all work trips to 10.5% by 2016 [achieved only 8.3%] and 16% by 2026.”

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.