Canberra Liberals announce people focused public transport policy

The Canberra Liberals have today announced their Transport Policy titled “People focused public transport” that will get Canberrans where they want to go, when they want to get there.

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee said the policy will focus on a faster, greener, and better-connected public transport system that will be delivered cheaper and sooner.

This comprehensive plan will re-imagine the future of public transport in Canberra,” Ms Lee said.

“The policy will deliver a public transport system that ranks with the best in the world for a city of Canberra’s size.

“The Canberra Liberals will implement a range of transport improvements across the ACT with more reliable, frequent, and direct bus routes on rapid, local, school and Xpresso services seven days a week, backed by a legislated service guarantee.

“We will also go to market to partner with a bus manufacturer to build our future bus fleet right here in Canberra. Our plan is to assemble our electric buses for Canberrans by Canberrans which will create local jobs.

“Through a number of major capital works projects such as the City to Woden transport corridor, a new Civic transport interchange and a northside bus depot we will prioritise a bus system that will adapt to Canberra’s growing population.

“We will commit to an equitable fare system which will include capped fees at $25 per week and a free city travel zone.

“Canberrans deserve a public transport system that enhances how we live, work and move across our city - and a Canberra Liberals government will deliver that,” Ms Lee concluded.

Shadow Minister for Transport Mark Parton said the Canberra Liberals will commence work on a dedicated busway from the City to Woden that will be completed by late 2027.

“These improvements will reduce the journey time from Woden to the City to under 15 minutes and will also speed up travel times for those travelling to the City from Woden, Weston Creek, Molonglo and Tuggeranong,” Mr Parton said.

“Under a Canberra Liberals government, transport improvements will be made across all areas of Canberra, and the legislated service guarantee will give Canberrans a reliable and frequent seven-day timetable.

“This guarantee includes rapid buses at least every 15 minutes, 7am to 7pm seven days a week; local services at least every 30 minutes during the daytime, seven days a week; better school bus services and Xpresso buses every 30 minutes during peak periods Monday to Friday.”

Mr Parton also highlighted a number of priority transport projects that will be implemented in order to get Canberrans where they need to go as quickly and comfortably as possible without having to change transport mode constantly.

“The fastest way to do this is to remove stop-start sections along Rapid corridors, introduce more intersections jump starts, more slip lanes and priority phasing for buses at traffic lights through the installation of transponders in the bus fleet.

“The current public transport system is not meeting the needs of Canberrans, and the Canberra Liberals’ people focused public transport policy will provide a faster and more reliable transport network,” Mr Parton concluded.

A transport taskforce will also be established to review, evaluate, and report on the current status of Transport Canberra services that will report back to government by mid 2025.