Page 3300 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
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MS FITZHARRIS: The extensive consultation has built on previous plans and strategies, published since 2009 and taken to two elections by the Labor government, which outline our plans for a modern, frequent public transport network. Feedback from this latest consultation has ranged from community comments on the change of bus routes to comments on the frequency of services, travel times, location of new bus stops and safety around bus interchanges. Services to schools have also been an area of interest.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS FITZHARRIS: The consultation phase has also provided positive feedback from the community on the redistribution of bus services in the proposed new network—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS FITZHARRIS: particularly the increased frequency along major transit routes—
Ms Orr: Point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, can you resume your seat.
Ms Orr: Madam Speaker, the opposition is getting quite noisy and it is hard to hear the minister when she sits in front of us and has her back to us.
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, I ask that the level of interjection be limited. Thank you.
MS FITZHARRIS: We are particularly looking to increase the frequency along major transit thoroughfares and make improvements in bus safety and the reliability of services.
The findings of the consultation are being reviewed, assessed and, where appropriate, addressed by Transport Canberra. This information will inform how the government can provide a better experience for bus users and decision-making about the final shape of the new bus network.
It is clear that as our city grows we need an integrated public transport network that works for more people. Currently many of our routes are too infrequent, and routes are too long and make too many deviations before people get to where they want to go. Different weekday and weekend routes are not intuitive and the operating hours do not work for everyone.
These are all problems we want to fix; I believe they contribute to the fact that about 85 per cent of Canberrans are still choosing not to use public transport. Our aim is to create a network which provides the greatest overall outcome for the entire Canberra community.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what are the next steps in finalising a new bus network for Canberra?
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