Canberrans will have access to more and better bus services with the updated public transport network starting TOMORROW (Saturday 18 July). The updated timetable provides 692 more services each weekday and significant improvements across the city.
The updated network will see more direct routes, more frequent services and local buses every half an hour during the week. There are also significant improvements for Weston Creek and Belconnen residents and more services for students in response to community feedback.
“These 17.5% extra services, with more services in off-peak times, will help reduce overcrowding on public transport and keep Canberrans moving,” Minister for Transport Chris Steel said.
“I encourage Canberrans to start planning their journey using Transport Canberra’s online tool because timings, routes and connections have changed across the updated network.”
“Residents of Tuggeranong will have access to more peak buses each afternoon from the city and Barton to Lanyon, Kambah, Chisholm and Calwell, and more Rapid 5 services (Lanyon to city), running every 10 minutes all day during the week.
“We have also improved local services in the region with routes 72, 76 and 77, providing direct buses through to the Canberra Hospital and Woden.
From Monday, 20 July a new function will be available on the Transport Canberra website, which will allow people to check the quietest times to travel on the rapid bus routes across the city.
“This new function will allow people to plan their trip according to when there are the least number of passengers on their rapid route, helping to reduce crowding and to spread the peak,” Minister Steel said.
“Off-peak travel is cheaper, and you may only need to adjust your travel times by half an hour or an hour to experience the benefits. Discounts apply from 9.30am – 4.30pm, after 6pm and all weekend.
“Transport Canberra and Canberra Metro have reliably delivered bus and light rail services throughout the pandemic, stepping up hygiene measures to improve safety for patrons and staff and this will continue for the foreseeable future.”
Minister Steel said that patronage across the network remains low, with many people only using buses and light rail when they need to. Last week we saw a reduction of 48% in patronage compared to the same time last year.
Regional breakdown
Tuggeranong benefits
- Travel time savings of about 20 minutes from Lanyon, Tuggeranong to the City for passengers using Rapid 5
- Rapid 5 (Lanyon to City) running every 10 minutes all day on weekdays
- Three local routes 72, 76 and 77 providing direct services from Tuggeranong suburbs through to the Canberra Hospital and Woden
- Better coverage of Wanniassa with route 73 stopping on Kirkton St, Gaunson Cresent, Longmore Crescent and Sainsbury St
Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo benefits
- Rapid 10 (Molonglo to city) service will run more frequently, every 15 minutes at peak times
- Rapid 4 and Rapid 5 to both take the most direct route from Woden to the City
- New Frequent Local route 59 introduced from Woden to Forrest, Barton and Russell, running every 15 minutes on weekdays
Inner north and south benefits
- Travel time savings of about 4 minutes each way on Rapid 9 between Dickson and Belconnen
- Route 902 running directly from Old Narrabundah to the Woden Town Centre, seven days a week to reduce the need to change buses
- More direct services on Rapid 4 and Rapid 5 from Woden to the City.
Belconnen benefits
- Travel time savings of about 9 minutes in the morning on route 41 from Charnwood, Flynn and Melba to Belconnen
- Services on route 32 (Belconnen to City via Jamison) running every 10 minutes at the busiest times
- New services through Giralang, Kaleen and McKellar connecting to Gungahlin and Belconnen
Gungahlin benefits
- Local bus services from Crace, Palmerston and Nicholls to the Belconnen Town Centre to reduce the need to change buses
- Mitchell improvements with Route 18 extended to Dickson, reducing the need for passengers to make multiple transfers
Plan your trip using the Transport Canberra journey planner at www.transport.act.gov.au or pick up a hard copy of the timetables at a bus interchange.
