Transport Canberra has announced improvements to public transport services to be implemented from 28 April.
Minister for Transport, Chris Steel said the upgrade would mean more direct connections for rapid and local services between town centres and changes to timings across the network.
“With more frequent services, more Canberrans have been using public transport, with a 7.1 per cent increase in journeys in the last quarter compared with the previous year,” Mr Steel said.
“The ACT Government has always said that we would monitor the operation of the new network, listen to feedback, and make changes where necessary.”
He said he had heard the issues raised and was now making changes to encourage even more people to use public transport.
“These changes will improve travel times and connections with major town centres and places of interest and address some of key issues raised by the community since the introduction of Network 19.”
He said that among the proposed changes were faster journeys to the City from central Tuggeranong; more frequent buses from Woden to the City; a new Route 59 connecting Barton and Russell from Woden and the City; and direct local services from Palmerston, Crace, Nicholls and Casey to Belconnen.
Mr Steel said he expected the new timetable for services would be released around mid-March.
He said improvements would also be made to some school services to increase capacity following discussions with schools.
“Detailed timetables and other information will be provided to school communities ahead of the new changes commencing,” Mr Steel said.
He said that since April last year, 87 new bus drivers had completed their training and commenced driving buses for Transport Canberra, with 43 more scheduled to come on board when the new network services begin in late April.
The updated network map can be accessed via this PS News link.