The Legislative Assembly has passed a raft of new laws to support the smooth running of the city’s new light rail service.
Minister for Transport and City Services, Meegan Fitzharris said the Road Transport Reform (Light Rail) Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 provided the foundation for the light rail to operate as a public passenger service, with a focus on safety and accessibility.
“This marks the second stage of reforms to the ACT’s road transport legislation to support the operation of light rail,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“It includes amendments to address ticketing, safety, passenger behaviour, and revenue protection.”
She said the Bill would also ensure that light rail drivers, assessors and instructors had a full car licence, or a licence of a higher class; that light rail passengers would vacate assigned seats, on request, for seniors, people with disabilities, and pregnant women; and that guide dogs or other assistance animals could travel.
“This legislation is vital to ensure light rail is fully integrated with the Transport Canberra bus fare structure and ticketing system from day one, so customers will be able to transfer between light rail and buses with ease,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“Light rail will have ticket vending machines at each stop, and customers will be able to tag on and tag off on the platform to encourage a quicker journey.”
The Minister said that with more than 15,000 people expected to use light rail each day by 2021, it was crucial to ensure the system was easy and convenient for passengers to use.
