Page 3462 - Week 11 - Thursday, 15 November 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
wheelchair accessible, effectively doubling the number of routes that can deliver wheelchair-accessible services. Currently, 25 per cent of ACTION’s buses meet disability standards under the DVA, and this is the target level for December 2007 under the act. This investment represents a modernisation program of the highest order, representing a strong and significant commitment to better public transport in the community.
The government will be investing $20.45 million over the next four years to improve bus frequencies and connections and enhance services in many parts of the city. Proposed improvements to be introduced on 28 April include same route directions and route numbers seven days a week; more frequency of and less waiting for buses throughout the day; more express services; better spacing of services; better connections; improvements to route design in many suburbs; improvements to services in Gungahlin, the parliamentary triangle and central Canberra; and new services for Brindabella Park from Gungahlin, Civic and Woden. The community will be able to view the proposed network plan by visiting any bus interchange, Canberra Connect shopfront, library or ACTION bus. The plan will also be available from the ACTION website at www.action.act.gov.au. And, for Mr Pratt’s benefit, we are doing it in pictures!
One million dollars will be provided this financial year to improve safety, security and maintenance at the Woden and Belconnen bus interchanges. This additional funding will see the installation of security cameras at Woden and Belconnen interchanges. Provision of improved CCTV will better enable enforcement agencies to deter and identify criminal and antisocial behaviour. The installation of CCTV is also consistent with the intergovernmental agreement on surface transport security. Funding will see the much needed maintenance work undertaken at Belconnen interchange in the lead-up to the construction of a new interchange. In addition, 100 additional seats will be installed at selected bus stops across Canberra.
The government has provided funding of $2.3 million over the next four years for ACT senior and community transport. ACT seniors are now eligible to travel using a concession fare in the peak periods. This initiative will allow all holders of an ACT seniors card to ride on an ACTION bus for half price at any time, including peak periods. Canberrans aged 60 and over who are permanent residents of the ACT and not in paid employment for more than 20 hours a week are eligible for an ACT seniors card.
This funding will also allow for the introduction of a community on-demand wheelchair-accessible minibus service to supplement transport delivered by regional community services. The beneficiaries of this initiative will be ACT seniors and people isolated in our regional community through lack of transport options, such as people with a disability, new migrants and people who may be temporarily unable to move easily in their community. The government has identified that there is a need to provide a more flexible service. The community on-demand service will fill an existing gap in the transport system. This initiative will provide an alternative, affordable and flexible transport option.
This government is moving ahead and is now providing transport infrastructure and transport services for the future. We are not dwelling on the past; we are getting on with the job.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .