The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate has announced it is to add or improve 88 bus stops around Canberra this year, as part of its policy to make travel in the city easier.
Announcing the planned program, Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said it followed on from the 70 upgrades delivered by the Directorate over the past year.
“By improving the accessibility of local bus stops, we’re making it easier for everyone to move around our city, including older Canberrans, carers and people living with a disability,” Mr Steel said.
He said upgrades included adjustments to bus stop concrete waiting areas, connecting paths to facilitate wheelchair access and installation of tactile ground surface indicators to assist the visually impaired.
Mr Steel said works included the recently-completed upgrades to the major stop on the corner of Haydon Drive and College Street in Belconnen – one of four bus stops upgraded along Haydon Drive in the past year.
“A new 11.5 metre shelter has been installed, replacing a bunker shelter with limited capacity,” he said.
“In addition, new tactile surfaces and a concrete pad provide better access for Canberrans with a disability.”
The Minister said two new stops had been established in Whitlam – complementing the new Route 47 – which provided connections to Belconnen and Denman Prospect since launching earlier this year.
“We are working to ensure people have greater choice in how and when they travel, and can move seamlessly between modes regardless of where they live or their diverse needs,” he said.
Mr Steel said the upgrades supported the Directorate’s plan to have every bus across the ACT fleet as a low-floor, accessible bus by the end of this year.
