Page 3850 - Week 10 - Thursday, 27 August 2009
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To further improve our public transport system, the Labor government has invested $8 million for a new ticketing system. A new smart card system to be introduced next year will provide better patronage data which will be used to further enhance the ACTION network. The new ticketing system will provide very detailed information about the community’s travel patterns which can be used more effectively to design better services. Good patronage information is critical data to ensure our transport service is designed and delivered effectively and efficiently.
The new ticketing system will also ensure more efficient passenger loading times and help build better reliability by assisting each bus to meet its timetable. The new ticketing system will be delivered by Downer EDI Engineering and will replace the ageing magnetic strip ticket system which has been in service now for over 14 years. I understand that the new ticketing system will be similar to that which is currently in operation in Perth in WA.
The ACT Labor government continues to improve our public transport system, which is paramount to reducing transport emissions and preparing for a low carbon future. One of the latest initiatives which will begin later this year was funded in this year’s budget, that is, REDEX, rapid express direct. The concept of rapid transit services such as REDEX will complement the government’s long-term transport plan.
The government is also redesigning our bus interchanges to provide better waiting and boarding experience for ACTION’s customers by integrating interchanges with other public spaces such as shopping centres. As part of the Belconnen town centre redevelopment, the Belconnen bus interchange has now been demolished. New temporary bus stations have now been installed at three locations.
All bus routes through Belconnen town centre now service the three bus stations for customers, and when the bus station improvements are completed in the Belconnen town centre it will fully integrate with the Westfield shopping centre and provide the travelling public, as I said, with a much improved experience than the former bus interchange. These initiatives will encourage more Canberrans to use public transport, help reduce congestion and reduce carbon emissions, importantly.
The Labor government is also implementing policies and programs to encourage the public and the public service to drive greener cars. A green vehicle policy has been implemented within the ACT government fleet where fleet managers must purchase the lowest emission option that meets operational needs. Therefore, the green duty scheme commenced late last year to encourage people to buy the greenest new vehicle based on its environmental performance, and the scheme is still the only one of its kind in Australia.
The message seems to be getting through. More Canberrans are buying green vehicles. Unfortunately, those opposite do not seem to be getting the message, though, with four out of the six climate sceptic Liberals continuing to drive six-cylinder vehicles.
A number of ACT government departments also encourage the use of bicycles and buses for public service work travel. The ACT government encourages the use of cycling and walking in the community through the provision of the extensive cycle
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