Page 1668 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 9 May 2018
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(2) further notes that:
(a) interstate bus services arrive at the Jolimont Centre until 1.30 am;
(b) the last bus services on weeknights leave Civic for Belconnen at 11.45 pm, for Gungahlin at 11.00 pm, and for Woden and Tuggeranong at 10.43 pm;
(c) the last bus services on Sunday and public holiday nights leave Civic for Belconnen at 7.46 pm, for Gungahlin at 6.59 pm, and for Woden and Tuggeranong at 7.26 pm;
(d) the last train services arrive at Kingston at 10.03 pm on weekdays and 9.43 pm on weekends and public holidays; and
(e) interstate travellers must rely on family, friends, or on-demand transport services to get home from Civic and Kingston when bus services are not available; and
(3) calls on the Minister for Transport and City Services to report to the Assembly by Thursday, 23 August 2018 on plans to:
(a) extend bus services in the evenings; and
(b) extend bus services on Sundays and public holidays.
Many Canberrans continue to suffer the inconvenience of inadequate bus services in our city, particularly on weekends and public holidays. Canberra is a modern city but our bus timetable has not kept pace with our changing needs.
At present on Sundays and public holidays the last bus services leave Civic for Belconnen at 7.46 pm, for Gungahlin at 6.59 pm, and for Woden and Tuggeranong at 7.26 pm, while many other local services conclude by seven. This significantly limits the transport options available to Canberrans who rely on buses to get around and has a disproportionate impact on Canberrans who have no other affordable means of transport.
Late night and weekend services are particularly important for low income Canberrans, young people and our many tertiary students who are all more likely to be engaged in part-time or casual employment and shiftwork during the evening and on weekends. The reality is that many minimum wage jobs require working evening and weekend shifts; yet our bus services do not adequately run services during these times.
The current Sunday timetable is much more limited than weekday or Saturday timetables. However, it is this Sunday timetable which runs on public holidays. A large number of Canberrans travel interstate around public holidays, with many using interstate bus and train services at the Jolimont Centre and Kingston station respectively. The lack of public holiday services makes it particularly difficult for Canberrans to connect with interstate transport options.
Mobility impaired people have reported that one of the most common reasons they do not use public transport is the fact that it is not available and does not suit their needs. Many mobility impaired people use taxi services in the evening because local bus
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