Let’s take a look back at what happened in ACT Public Transport during 2020 –
January
- 26-30 – night track work: buses replace Light Rail between Gungahlin and Dickson
- 29 – Bus 682, the first of 40 Precision Buses-built Bustech VSTs commences service
- The 5 remaining Renault PR100.3s based at Tuggeranong Depot (121-125) are withdrawn
- New buses in service: 682 – 686
- Fleet count 31 January: 456
February
- 5 – announcement of 2020 network changes to commence in April
- City-bound bus lane on Adelaide Ave converted to traffic lane
- 12 – Government announces intent to replace MyWay ticketing system (but without a proposed target date)
- 29 – Bus 450 collides with car in Fraser
- New buses in service: 687-691
- Buses withdrawn: 937, 942
March
- 2 – Ginninderry Loop commences: loop service running from Kippax to Strathnairn, operated (mostly) by Hino Poncho buses (Buses 100 & 101)
- 20 – Yutong ZK6131HG1 plug-in electric bus commences operation for a 12 month trial (Bus 490)
- 24 – due to Covid-19, cash fares no longer sold on bus, boarding and exiting through rear door where possible, front seat closed to passengers, Network ’20 changes to be delayed
- New buses in service: 100, 101, 490, 692-697
- Buses withdrawn: 920, 921, 936, 940, 945, 946, 948, 949, 964; new training buses: 943, 944
April
- 6 – Murrays suspends Sydney to Canberra coach services
- MyWay ticket machine installed at Westfield Belconnen
- New Rosas begin to arrive for Special Needs Transport
- New buses in service: 698-703
- Buses withdrawn: 107, 968
May
- 25 – services removed from Hospital Road due to construction work
- 29- 9 June – Woden Interchange platforms 9, 10 & 11 relocate to former platforms 1 & 2 due to construction work
- New buses in service: 704-706
- Buses withdrawn: 108-110, 965-967
June
- Preliminary consultation commences on design of CIT Woden/Woden Interchange
- 16 – announcement of revised commencement date for Network ’20 (18 July); weekend suburban services to remain 2-hourly
- New buses in service: 707-710, 712
- Buses withdrawn: 111-115, 117
July
- 1 – last day in service for Bus 116, marking the final PR100.3 in service
- 18 – Delayed Network ’20 commences
- New Mercedes-Benz Sprinters begin to arrive, replacing the Toyota Hiace field vans
- New buses in service: 711, 713-716, 718
- Buses withdrawn: 116, 909, 910, 913
August
- 2 new Hino Ponchos commence service for Special Needs Transport / Flexible Bus Service
- 14 – Bus 721, the last of the 40 new Precision/Bustech VSTs enters service
- 17 – Heysen Street closed to buses due to bike path construction
- Election period commences: Belco Party promises free public transport
- New buses in service: 717, 719-721
- Buses withdrawn: 908
- Updated fleet count: 464 buses
September
- 9 – Zero-emission transition plan released, setting out “road map” to phasing out diesel buses
- 14 – Corinna Street bus stop closed due to road works
- ACT Election: Canberra Liberals pledge to support Light Rail stage 2 to Woden and to reinstate School Routes and Xpresso-style services
- 24 – first all-over-advertisement appears on Volgren-bodied bus (664)
- 26 – Fraser West Terminus closed for modifications – buses to use Fraser Primary school and later Binns St for layover; reopened ~19 October
- 28 – Work commences on new bus layover at Watson St, Turner to replace the City West layover
October
- ACT Election: ACT Greens suggest Light Rail stage 2 should extend to Mawson
- 10 – “Phase 1” weekend bus timetable improvements commence: Saturday suburban services hourly until 12 noon, 2 hourly at other times
- 17 – ACT Election Day. Andrew Barr returned as Chief Minister, Chris Steel remains as Transport Minister
November
- 7 Renault PR100.3 buses auctioned by Pickles
- Tender issued for replacement tow truck; truck to be in service by July 2021
- Ticketing system replacement project revealed to be delayed indefinitely
- Park & Ride carparks at North Weston and Wanniassa expanded
- Belconnen Bikeway (which re-uses the former busway) fully opened
December
- Remaining withdrawn Dennis Darts (stored at Fyshwick) sent to scrap
- New Park & Ride locations opened in Lyneham and Evatt
- Design for CIT Woden/Woden Interchange redevelopment released
- 9 – construction starts on new Mitchell Light Rail stop; partial track shut down to occur in January 2021
- 21 – announcement of “market sounding” for procurement of 90 electric buses over 4 years and of intention to issue tender for lease of 34 buses to replace Renault PR100.2s in 2021.
Timeline sources include Media Releases, Facebook posts and ACT Bus Fleetwiki and Forum. If we have missed something important or made a mistake, please let us know – click on Contact Us and send us a message.
This page was last updated on 9 March 2024
