Page 4186 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 21 September 2011
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MR HARGREAVES: Minister, what has been the response from bike and bus users to the facility in Belconnen being used and what is a success measure in terms of usage?
MR SPEAKER: Minister Corbell.
Mr Hargreaves: And do not tell them now about the $10 million that Impulse Airlines got from those opposite.
MR CORBELL: A comprehensive communication strategy is first of all being developed to promote and encourage use of the new bike and ride facilities. This will expand on the smaller scale bike and ride campaign that targeted residents on the north side of Canberra in Belconnen and Gungahlin earlier this year. The promotion is ongoing.
The feedback we have had from cycling groups is very positive. We have seen groups recognise that more secure bike parking is a good thing for their constituencies and will encourage more people to choose to cycle because they can have the confidence that, first of all, they do not have to undertake a huge journey and, secondly, that when they do park their bike it will be in a secure cage which will keep it safe until they can return to use it.
These facilities are great for our community. They are a first for Canberra. They mean that more people can be encouraged to ride their bike. Even if we have residents riding perhaps only once a week, on the day that suits them, parking their bike in the park and ride facility and catching the bus, which runs every five to 10 minutes along those high frequency routes, that is a great outcome for our community. It is that type of investment and that type of vision, when it comes to public transport policy, that this government will continue to pursue.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, regarding cost of living and public transport, what impact is the $400 subsidy that ACTION receives per adult having on Canberra’s households?
MR CORBELL: I would challenge Mr Coe to identify any public transport operator in the world that runs at a profit—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Coe, you have asked your question.
MR CORBELL: without any public subsidy or payment. What is Mr Coe suggesting?
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
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