Page 388 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2012

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location for the bus stops between Deakin and Curtin. This study will provide further detailed information about projected passenger and traffic demand. I understand that it is very unlikely that the freeway stops could operate safely in a T2 or T3 lane, and in the event of bus stops being installed, a bus lane would be the preferred solution.

In light of the review of the bus stops, and further work on the projected passenger and traffic demand on Adelaide Avenue, the government will reassess the bus lane option once the Adelaide Avenue bus stop study is finalised. In the meantime the government has decided that it will remain as a T2 lane until this study and the transit guidelines have been finalised.

In relation to the Assembly’s interest in a government-wide car pooling scheme, the government’s draft transport for Canberra strategy includes a commitment to expand the Health Directorate’s car-pooling scheme across the ACT public service by 2013, and acknowledges the potential for car-pooling as part of managing travel demand. The Health Directorate’s scheme has been in place since 2010, and uses an internet-based matching system for those that want to car-pool. Discussions to progress the ACT-wide car-pooling scheme are in progress, and the rollout will begin on 1 July 2012. Following a trial period, the government will consider the costs and benefits of including federal government agencies in such an ACT government car-pooling service.

The government believes that transport policies should be integrated rather than ad hoc and that decisions should be evidence based, not emotive or feel-good. The government’s transport for Canberra policy sets a clear direction for the ACT’s transport system. In general, public transport should have priority over other traffic on “rapid” transit corridors. Across the road network generally, the allocation of road space should be based on the number of passengers throughput and efficiency rather than the number of vehicles per lane. Application of these two principles will help develop a more sustainable transport system where public transport is the easiest and obvious choice for travel. It will also help us manage the road system effectively and efficiently, creating productivity and road safety benefits for the territory.

I appreciate this opportunity to inform the Assembly of some of the work being done in this area. I present the following paper:

Transit Lane Warrants Study, prepared by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd for Roads ACT, dated 1 February 2012.

I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

MR COE (Ginninderra) (5.26): This report is a very welcome report and one that confirms the announcement made on Monday by the Canberra Liberals that the Barry Drive bus lane should be converted to a T2. If you go to 6.8, it says:

The analysis presented in Chapter 5 shows that with a four lane road there is virtually no risk to bus travel times being adversely affected by converting one lane from a bus lane to a T2 lane which aligns with the ACT government to


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