The Greens’ Amanda Bresnan has announced that she’s convinced the Legislative Assembly to put the T2 lane back onto Adelaide Avenue and to have a look at the whole issue of transit lanes.
“We were disappointed that the Government removed the T2 transit lane on Adelaide Avenue without conducting a proper analysis of how it would impact on Canberra’s transport patterns,” said ACTGreens Transport spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA.
“We agreed to reinstate the T2 lane.
“The Greens’ amendments additionally require the Government to conduct an evidence-based assessment of whether the lane will operate best as a T2, T3, T4 or bus-only lane. It will report back to the Assembly early next year.
“This paves the way for a future, evidence-based decision that best encourages sustainable transport on the road.
Success having a thousand fathers the Liberals Alistair Coe followed up this morning with his own happy dance having run hard on the issue.
“I am glad the majority of the Assembly has agreed that ACT Labor’s decision to change the T2 lane to a bus only lane was illogical and not in the best interests of the community,” ACT Shadow Transport Services Minister, Alistair Coe said.
“This successful motion follows concerns raised with me by the community about the lane closure.
“The onus is now on ACT Labor to respect the community’s wishes and restore the T2 lane as soon as possible.
“Simon Corbell’s decision to remove this lane was yet another poorly thought out plan by this Minister.
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What’s Your opinion?
T2 lane to be restored on Adelaide Avenue
winter said :
It’s not about maintaining three lanes of traffic, it’s about letting priority traffic skip the backlog of traffic on Adelaide Avenue before getting to the lane merge. The idea is that people will perceive an advantage in using the T2 lane, and thus arrange to carry a passenger in order to jump the queue. By taking another commuter, this immediately reduces the environmental impact and parking load by 50% for both people.
Is now a good time to tell Bussie to eat his crybaby comment?
DUG said :
Yep, it was single lane originally & then they started building a second lane which was awesome…………until they made it bus only.
BicycleCanberra said :
So what does any of that have to do with charging people extra to use the car pool lane? Surely that would create a disincentive for people to reduce their car use?
DUG said :
Yes i do, the solution is to have six lanes with the centre lanes bus only, like ‘Adelaide Ave!’
ThatGuy said :
Rego fees for cyclists let’s talk about that!!!!
ThatGuy said :
DUG said :
Man, do I ever remember that!! What an absolute clusterf*** that was! It only lasted a week or so didn’t it?
If they’d actually thought that one out, they would have realised that the buses wouldn’t fare much better anyway, considering Athllon changes to a single lane after the sternberg roundabout anyway.
Glad to hear they’re going to properly evaluate the transit lane on Adelaide too. Shame they couldn’t have done that before wasiting money covering up the T2 signage on the road.
Given the cost of changing signs and lane markings in this town someone must be making a motza out of these knee jerk decisions. I just think the decision now to review the whole concept and purpose of transit lanes around Canberra is a good outcome.
As for whatever purpose these lanes are supposed to serve eg environmental, reduce congestion, improve bus times I hope that their review considers the purpose in the context of all vehicles that are allowed to use the lane. For example, if it is to ensure consistent bus times then why let any other vehicle of any type (including taxis and motorbikes and interstate or out of service buses) in the lane (and make it illegal for the buses to be out of that lane unless they are turning). If it is environmental, then why not allow a T2 lane and consider whether bikes as big as, say, a 2.3 litre Triumph Rocket (which I personally adore) should be allowed to use the lane.
And, whatever decision is reached, it should not be set in stone. If circumstances change the answer should not be because that’s the way it has always been done. For example, if T2 takes off and congestion increases then change it to a T3 lane.
Dose anyone remember when they decided it was a good idea to turn one of the lanes on atholon drive over the hill into a bus only lane? traffic was backed up all the way to Mawson dr.
BicycleCanberra said :
Careful there BicycleCanberra, if car poolers have to pay for a specific lane then why wouldn’t cyclists?
BicycleCanberra said :
Well it looks like the Greens have just required the Government to do a proper review and then decide what is the best use for the lane — “The Greens’ amendments additionally require the Government to conduct an evidence-based assessment of whether the lane will operate best as a T2, T3, T4 or bus-only lane. It will report back to the Assembly early next year.”
I don’t agree with the Greens view on this one, If you want to car pool you don’t need a special lane to do it. To have faster Bus services you need more dedicated lanes.If car drivers want to use the lane then they should pay more for it like an annual fee and as they do in Los Angeles.
Wow….wait….common sense prevailed? *looks around for the apocalypse*
What I don’t get about the the T2 lane is that it goes down to 2 lanes when it hits state circle anyway, so the road can’t actually maintain 3 lanes of full traffic.