The successful Centenary Loop service, also known as Route 100, will come to an end on Sunday afternoon following 335 days of service and over 128,000 passenger boardings, Bren Burkevics, Chief Operating Officer, Public Transport, announced today.

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BUS 140 - MARCUS CLARKE ST

“The Centenary Loop, which commenced on 4 February 2013 and has operated every 30 minutes from 9 am to 4.30 pm seven days a week, will make its last stop on Sunday 5 January 2014,” Mr Burkevics said.

“The free loop bus service was only funded to run as a special service during 2013, as part of the activities and celebrations to help commemorate Canberra’s centenary year. The service was expected to finish on 31 December 2013, however it was decided to extended the service by five days to give locals and visitors a final chance to see the city over the holiday period.

“As of Thursday 2 January 2014, the popular Centenary Loop service had shuttled a total of 128,370 people to Canberra’s national attractions – an average of 387 per day. The service enjoyed the highest amount of success during Floriade with 18,326 boardings between 14 September and 13 October 2013 – an average of 573 per day.

“Departing from the City Bus Station, the Centenary Loop travelled to the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, Questacon, National Library of Australia, Museum of Australian Democracy, National Museum of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive.

“Comments from passengers throughout the year have been overwhelmingly positive. The free service has been commended for its convenience and fantastic customer service. The majority of passengers used the Centenary Loop as a hop-on/hop-off service and an independent survey indicates they haven’t just taken advantage of it once, with 35 per cent of visitors to the region who used the service travelling on the bus twice and 22 per cent three times.”

Mr Burkevics said while the special Centenary bus service had come to an end ACTION bus services are available for people visiting and travelling within the Parliament Triangle.

“On weekdays the Parliamentary Triangle is serviced by the popular Blue Rapid, Red Rapid, Gold Line, and Green Line routes and on weekends the Blue Rapid, 930, 931, 932, 934, 935, 938, and 980 routes. In addition, on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays the Tourist Loop service (routes 981 and 81) departs from Platform 9 in the City and visits key attractions including the Canberra Museum and Gallery, National Film and Sound Archive, ATSIC Cultural Centre, Scrivener Dam, the National Zoo and Aquarium, Black Mountain Tower, Australian National Botanic Gardens and the CSIRO Discovery Centre.

“With the introduction of paid parking to the Parliamentary Triangle later this year, bus travel remains the most convenient and affordable transport option for locals and visitors.”

Signage is being erected at all stops serviced by the Centenary Loop to inform passengers that the initiative has concluded.

Media Release: Terrritory and Municipal Services Directorate, 3 January 2014

This page was last updated on 19 February 2023