Election '08: Transport Pledges

[Buzz Killington]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/election-pledges-for-gde-upgrade/1263905.aspx

What would you do to fix the increasing congestion on Canberra's roads?


The ACT Labor Government pointed to a $250million budget injection over the next five years for transport issues, including nearly $50million for ACTION buses and the $87million widening of the controversial Gungahlin Drive Extension. Transport Minister John Hargreaves' office produced a list of spending on projects such as the widening of Athllon Drive, realigning the Kings Highway at Bungendore and upgrades to Tharwa Drive. The Government has also committed to a $2million cycleway for the Cotter Road.

The Australian Motorist Party promised to ''take direct control'' over Canberra's transport and road planning. The party would immediately widen Gungahlin Drive and construct a grade-separated intersection near the airport. It would also provide bus slipways on arterial roads while roads with high speed or heavy traffic would have separate cycle lanes.

The Liberals also promised to finish upgrades to the Gungahlin Drive Extension, while ''rapidly'' moving to widen other roads.

Urban Services spokesman Steve Pratt said the Liberals would increase the frequency of ACTION buses, upgrade the park-and-ride access and tighten security on buses and at interchanges. It would also investigate other transport ''futures''.

The Greens called for more investment in public transport, saying Canberra needed a plan focused on transport, cycling and walking rather than car usage.

Brindabella candidate Amanda Bresnan said public transport was ''the weak link'' in Canberra's transport system.


The Community Alliance Party said it would develop public transport in the form of light rail and a privatised bus system.

Molonglo candidate Norvan Vogt said the party would also expand the park-and-ride program.

This is the first in a series of questions The Canberra Times will be asking candidates in the forthcoming ACT Assembly election. Readers can submit their questions through questiontime@canberratimes.com.au


 

[Buzz Killington]

this was posted as a comment on the ACT Bus news blog:

The ACT Democrats will act to implement an overarching transport plan that includes a full-service bus system - one that is easy to catch, gets you where you want to
go quickly - that includes more night time and weekend buses to help cater for shift-workers and social travel; reduced congestion on roads; improved bicycle network; better park-and-ride facilities; and commencement of planning a light rail system.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
Candidate for Ginninderra
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

[Irisbus Rider]

DE-MO-CRATS!!!

Labor looks interesting, but Labor do have a bad track record with empty promises though.

[Sir Pompously]

I sure know the communist alliance party (yeah, community I know) are not getting my vote with a privatised bus system. At the moment the democrats look the best bet for transport, with liberals and labor coming in a tied second place. Liberals did not do too badly last time they had Government, I would like to see the return of the SSTS but that is a dream.

[Buzz Killington]

Another article...

Transport takes front seat
15/09/2008 12:00:00 AM
How will you improve Canberra's public transport system?


Transport Minister John Hargreaves said the Government had committed itself to spending $50million on 100 new buses to be bought over the next four years.


Mr Hargreaves said ACTION would also receive an increase of nearly $13million over four years to implement ''Network 08'' which would provide additional and more frequent bus services.


He said announcements of further enhancements to the system would be made closer to the election.


The Australian Motorist Party's Geoff Develin said providing quality transport in Canberra was difficult but his party would ''increase the number of medium and mini-buses picking up passengers from low-volume suburban stops''.


He said the party was not in favour of the introduction of light rail, but said it might be feasible if used for heavily populated areas.


The Opposition's Steve Pratt said the Liberals would improve the frequency and safety of public transport. He said the party was ''investigating future options'' and would issue further policy before the election.


Independent Val Jeffery said he did not have a specific policy on public transport.


He said he was focusing on ''bringing back good governance. If you have good governance, it takes care of everything,'' Mr Jeffery said.


''I'm not counting the potholes or anything prior to the election because there's a lot you don't know about before getting to the Assembly.''