The following letter was posted on ACTION’s website as part of the consultation period prior to the introduction of Network 98. We have retained the original text and formatting as shown below.

To: Canberra residents

ACTION staff

This is to say thank you for your input into planning the new ACTION Network to be introduced in July this year. ACTION received 500 written submissions from residents, attended eight community meetings and visited a number of community groups during October and November last year during the first round of community consultation. We incorporated as many of your requests as we could and we now seek your comments on a new network proposal as the second stage of our public consultation.

The new network proposal has a simpler network structure. It significantly reduces the need for transfers, most suburbs have one route 7 days a week, and there is greater access for passengers to the intertown route.

With your help we have developed the first step toward a vastly improved public transport system for Canberra. We encourage you come to our public meetings to enable us to explain the network in greater detail.

This proposal is the first major step in encouraging greater patronage of ACTION and providing more options for passengers. Revenue generated by increased patronage will be put directly back into improving services even further.

I look forward to seeing you on board.

Guy Thurston

Executive Director

ACTION

21 March 1998

THE 333 CHANGES INTO A NEW INTERTOWN ROUTE

PROVIDING MORE PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO KEY EMPLOYMENT DESTINATIONS ON A NEW INTERTOWN SERVICE

• Banks Student at UCAN will have just one bus to catch – 7 days a weekFraser resident employed at Centrelink, Tuggeranong will have just one bus to catch

THE 333 WHICH WE ARE ALL SO FAMILIAR WITH WILL REMAIN BUT IT WILL BECOME THE INTERTOWN ROUTE AND PROVIDE MANY MORE OPTIONS FOR PASSENGERS.

• THE INTERTOWN ROUTE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE BETWEEN BELCONNEN, CITY, WODEN AND TUGGERANONG INTERCHANGES.FREQUENCY WILL BE IMPROVED TO 5 MINUTES BETWEEN 7AM AND 7PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND 15 MINUTES AT OTHER TIMES
• MORE PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO STAY ON THEIR SUBURBAN BUS TO THEIR DESTINATION AS IT WILL CONTINUE ON TO THE INTERTOWN ROUTE. CHECK ROUTES OPERATING ON THE INTERTOWN ROUTE AND YOUR SUBURB DESCRIPTION OVER THE PAGE.
• MORE PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE UNIVERSITIES ON THE INTERTOWN ROUTE AS WE WILL NOW STOP AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA, CIT BRUCE CAMPUS AND ANU.
• PASSENGERS IN SOUTH WODEN WILL HAVE 3 NEW STOPS ALONG ATHLLON DRIVE ON THE INTERTOWN ROUTE

MORE 7 DAY ROUTES

80% of the new route structure will run 7 days a week.

Loop services are virtually eliminated. Most people will have just one route number to remember. Additional weekday peak hour services will also supplement the 7 day routes in well patronised areas.

LESS INTERCHANGING

ACTION will increase the number of routes which link to another route ie a through-route. Through routes will operate on the intertown route and also provide links between North Canberra and South Canberra. More passengers will be able to stay on the one bus that is taking them through to their destination. At the city interchange more passengers will pass through the interchange and on to their destination.

NEW AIRPORT SERVICE

A new airport service will also commence as part of the new network. The route will start at Belconnen interchange and travel past UCAN, CIT Bruce, AIS, down Northbourne Avenue, City Interchange, Russell to Canberra Airport. The service will operate 5 days a week.

NEW FYSHWICK ROUTE DIRECT FROM LANYON VALLEY

ACTION market research revealed that there was a very high percentage of people who travel from the Lanyon Valley to Fyshwick to work. Two services will be introduced early morning from the Lanyon Valley suburbs of Banks, Conder and Gordon through Calwell and Chisolm shops direct to Fyshwick and return in the afternoon.

ACCESSIBLE TO MIDI BUSES

Midi Buses will operate on the current routes 234 and 434 which will be linked together in the new network. Passengers will therefore be able to connect between Woden, Canberra Hospital, John James Hospital, Garran, Hughes,Deakin, City, Acton, Turner, Calvary Hospital, Bruce and Belconnen on a midi bus.

COMMUNITY ROUTES

An special Monday to Friday off peak day route will operate in Woden and Belconnen which will make connections for residents to the local Senior Citizens Centre, Shopping Centre, medical centre and hospital. We will present details of these proposed routes at public meetings.

See details on the back page for how you can find out more information about ACTIONs new network.

TIMETABLE INFORMATION AT BUS STOPS

As a major attractor to use ACTION services bus stops are being equipped with timetable information. 55 bus stops have now received timetable information and by 20 July an additional 500 key bus stops will also receive information.

TIMETABLES

Individual timetable leaflets are being designed to replace the Bus Book. This will make timetables even more accessible as they become easier to carry.

ROUTE NUMBERS

A simplified route numbering system will more easily identify the route destination. The new network of route numbers and new timetable leaflets will be available well before introduction of the new network on 20 July 1998.

AREA BUS SERVICES

Area buses will be reintroduced with set down on request after 8pm to midnight on Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Area services will operate in Belconnen, Weston Creek, Woden and Tuggeranong.

PARKES BARTON RUSSELL

Direct peak services will operate from some suburbs direct to Parkes Barton Russell and all other suburbs will need only one connection.

There have been an increased number of direct connections from Weston Creek, Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Gungahlin, North Canberra and South Canberra.

PEAK SERVICE FREQUENCY

All suburban services will have between 15 and 30 min peak hour services during peak periods.

Generally the 700 Commuter Express services have been amalgamated with the local suburban services and these services continue direct to the City and/or Parkes, Barton and Russell.

For suburbs without direct connection to the Parkes, Barton and Russell area there will be an approximate 5 minute frequency of service from Woden Interchange and from the City Interchange during peak hours.

FARES

The Government is currently considering a range of fare options. No matter which option is selected the Government?s objective is to remove the inequitable arrangement where-by passengers who change buses are required to pay another fare.

The new fare structure will be introduced prior to or in conjunction with the new network.

New Intertown routes operating seven days

Fraser – Charnwood – Scullin – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong – Conder – Banks

Fraser – Flynn – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong – Gordon – Banks

Spence – McKellar – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong – Tharwa Drive – Theodore.

Spence – Melba – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong – Downard Street – Theodore.

New Intertown routes operating five days

Kippax – Latham – Florey – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong.

Kippax – Hawker – Weetangera – Belconnen – City – Woden – Tuggeranong

New North Canberra – South Canberra Routes

Federation Square – Palmerston – Northbourne Avenue – City – Russell – Kingston – Fyshwick – Woden (on weekends, terminates at Fyshwick not at Woden)

Heritage Village ? Watson – Dickson – City – Parkes – Griffith – AGSO (On weekends, terminates at City, not at AGSO)

EPIC – Dickson – Northbourne Ave – City – Parliament House – Manuka – Kingston ? Causeway

Dickson – Ainslie – City – Russell – Kingston – Narrabundah – Woden

Dickson – North Lyneham – O?Connor – City – Reid – Duntroon – Campbell Park

Dickson – O?Connor – City – Russell – Manuka – Red Hill – Narrabundah

Belconnen – Bruce – Calvary Hospital – Turner – Acton – City – Parkes – Barton – Parliament House – Deakin – Woden Valley ? Woden
Midibus operation

Giralang – Kaleen – Northbourne Ave – City – Parkes – Forrest – Yarralumla – Curtin Centre ? Woden

Giralang – Kaleen – Northbourne Ave – City – Russell – Forrest – Curtin Centre – Throssell Street ? Woden

Giralang – Kaleen – Northbourne Ave – City – Yarralumla – Curtin Shops – Throssell Street ? Woden

Belconnen – Macquarie – City (during peak hours, extended to Campbell Park via Fairbairn Ave)

Belconnen – Bruce – University of Canberra – AIS – Northbourne Ave – City ? Airport
(on weekends, terminates at City, not at airport)

Listed below is a description of local bus services. There have been some changes to streets on which buses operate.

Details will be available from the Community Consultation Meetings, ACTION Interchanges or by phoning the ACTION Hotline on 62078095.

Ainslie; Direct services to Dickson, City, Parl Triangle, Kingston, Sth Canberra and Woden. Direct services from west Ainslie to Belconnen, Bruce and Mitchell.

Amaroo; Direct 7 day link to the City and to Belconnen. All services will travel via the new Gungahlin Town Centre when it is opened.

Aranda; Direct service to City and Belconnen, and direct peak extension to Campbell Park Offices during peak hours.

Banks; Direct 7 day service to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on the inter-town route; direct early morning service to Fyshwick and afternoon return.

Barton; Increased services to Barton from the City and other areas in the peak periods.

Belconnen; Access to services at Interchange.

Bonython; Direct 7 day service to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on the inter-town route; direct links to Lanyon Valley area instead of Calwell.

Braddon; Increased frequency to business areas of Braddon from the City and other areas. Direct links to Woden and South Canberra from Braddon.

Bruce; Direct five-day service to Russell and the airport, and 7 day services to Belconnen and the City. Check the Intertown route for improved service options.

Calwell; Direct 7 day service to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on the intertown route; peak express services to Parkes, Barton and Russell. Change at Tuggeranong for Erindale.

Campbell; Direct 7 day service to the City, Dickson and areas west of Northbourne Avenue.

Causeway; Direct 7 day services to City, North Canberra and Dickson. Change at City or Kingston for Woden and Fyshwick.

Chapman; Direct peak service to the City; direct services to Woden; serviced by the same routes 7 days a week. Fast link from Cooleman Court to Woden Interchange.

Charnwood; Direct service to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on the intertown route 7 days a week.

Chifley; Same routes seven days a week. All routes service Southlands and Woden.

Chisholm; Direct service to Parkes, Barton, Russell and City via Woden during peak periods; express service during peak periods to the same areas; direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden

Conder; One route 7 days to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on the inter-town route; direct early morning service to Fyshwick and afternoon return.

Cook; Direct peak service to Campbell Park Offices; direct 7 day service to City and Belconnen

Curtin; Direct services to Woden, Parkes, Barton, Russell, City, Northbourne Avenue and Kaleen/Giralang.

Deakin; Direct services to Woden, City, ANU, O?Connor, Bruce and Belconnen; change at City or Woden for Manuka and Kingston.

Dickson; Direct services to City, Mitchell, Bruce, Belconnen, Parkes, Barton, Russell, Campbell Park and South Canberra.

Downer; Direct 7 day services to City, Parl Triangle and South Canberra; direct 5 day services from east Downer to Mitchell, Bruce and Belconnen.

Duffy; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Canberra College (Weston Campus); fast link from Cooleman Court to Woden Interchange, direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Dunlop; Direct peak services to City and Parl Triangle; direct 7 day services to Belconnen.

Evatt; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Fadden; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Tuggeranong; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Farrer; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands. Access to intertown route on Athllon Dr.

Fisher; Direct 7 day services to Woden, fast link from Cooleman Court to Woden Interchange; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Florey; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen; direct 5 day services to Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Flynn; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong via the intertown route.

Forrest; Direct 7 day services to City and Dickson. Melbourne Ave area has direct services to ANU, Bruce, Belconnen and Woden.

Fraser; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong

Fyshwick; Direct peak services to Tuggeranong, 7 day direct services to City, Parl Triangle, Mitchell and Gungahlin; 5 day direct services to Woden.

Garran; Direct 7 day services to Woden, City, ANU, Bruce and Belconnen; direct peak express to City. Change at Woden or City for Manuka and Kingston.

Gilmore; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden; direct peak services to Parkes, Barton, Russell.

Giralang; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, City, Parl Triangle, South Canberra and Woden.

Gordon; One route 7 days to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on the inter-town route; direct early morning service to Fyshwick and afternoon return.

Gowrie; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden, direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Greenway; Access in Learmonth Dr to direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden; access at Interchange to intertown route and direct peak services to Fyshwick.

Griffith; Direct 7 day services to City, Woden, Parkes, Barton, Russell, North Canberra and Dickson.

Hackett; Direct 7 day services to City, Parl Triangle, South Canberra and Woden. West Hackett has 5 day direct services to Bruce, Belconnen and Mitchell.

Hawker; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen; direct 5 day services to Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Higgins; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen; direct 5 day services to Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route; direct peak services to Parkes, Barton, Russell.

Holder; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Cooleman Court; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Holt; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen and Kippax; north Holt has direct 7 day services to Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route; other areas have direct 5 day services to Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route; South Holt has direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Hughes; Direct 7 day services to Woden, City, ANU, Bruce and Belconnen; direct peak express to City. Change at Woden or City for Manuka and Kingston.

Isaacs; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands.

Isabella Plains; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen on intertown route; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Kaleen; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, City, Parl Triangle, South Canberra and Woden.

Kambah; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden; direct peak services to City.

Kingston; Direct 7 day services to Woden, Russell and City. All services travel Giles St. Change at City for Deakin and Yarralumla.

Latham; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Lyneham; Direct 7 day services to City, Dickson, Campbell Park, Parl Triangle and South Canberra.

Lyons; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Cooleman Court.

Macarthur; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Tuggeranong; direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Macgregor; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen; direct peak services to Parkes, Barton, Russell.

Macquarie; Direct peak service to Campbell Park Offices; direct 7 day service to City and Belconnen

McKellar; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Mawson; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands; direct peak service to City. Access to intertown route on Athllon Dr.

Melba; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Mitchell; Direct 7 day services to Gungahlin, City, Russell and Fyshwick; direct 5 day services to Dickson, North Canberra, Bruce and Belconnen.

Monash; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Tuggeranong, direct peak services to Parl Triangle

Narrabundah; Direct 7 day services to Woden, Russell, City, North Canberra and Dickson.

Ngunnwal; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen; Wanganeen Ave has 7 day direct services to City, Parl Triangle, Fyshwick and 5 day direct services to Woden; other areas have direct peak services to City. All routes will service new Gungahlin Town Centre when it is opened.

Nicholls; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, City, Parl Triangle and Fyshwick, direct 5 day services to Woden. All routes will service new Gungahlin Town Centre when it is opened.

O’Connor; Direct 7 day services to Dickson, City, Parl Triangle, Campbell Park, South Canberra, Woden, Bruce, Belconnen and ANU. Direct 5 day services to Mitchell.

O’Malley; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands.

Oxley; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong and Woden.

Page; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route; direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Palmerston; Direct 7 day services to Belconnnen, Mitchell, City and Fyshwick; direct 5 day services to Woden.

Parkes; Increased services to Parkes from the City and other areas in the peak periods.

Pearce; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands.

Phillip; Direct 7 day services to Woden and City; access to intertown route at Phillip pool and Phillip Service area. Direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Red Hill; Direct 7 day services to City, North Canberra and Dickson.

Reid; Direct 7 day services to City, Campbell Park and Dickson. Increased services along Constitution Avenue between from City, Russell and other areas.

Richardson; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Tuggeranong; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and Fyshwick.

Rivett; Direct 7 day services to Woden; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Russell; Increased services to Russell from the City and other areas in the peak periods.

Scullin; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route; direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Spence; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen, Bruce, City, Woden and Tuggeranong on intertown route.

Stirling; Direct 7 day services to Woden; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Theodore; Direct 7 day services to Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Bruce and Belconnen; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Torrens; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Southlands. Access to intertown route on Athllon Dr.

Turner; Direct 7 day services to City, Dickson, Bruce, Belconnnen, Parkes, Barton, Russell, Campbell Park, South Canberra and Woden.

Wanniassa; Direct 7 day services to Woden and Tuggeranong, direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Waramanga; Direct 7 day services to Cooleman Court and Woden; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City.

Watson; Direct 7 day services to City, Dickson, Parl Triangle and South Canberra; east Watson have direct 5 day services to Bruce, Belconnen and Mitchell.

Weetangera; Direct 7 day services to Belconnen and Kippax; direct peak services to Parl Triangle.

Weston; Direct 7 day services to Coolman Court and Woden; direct peak services to Parl Triangle and City;

Yarralumla; Direct 7 day services to Woden, Parl Triangle, City, Northbourne Ave and Giralang/Kaleen.

Community Consultation – Stage 2

ACTION will once again be holding meetings across Canberra, at which residents will have a chance to see what the new routes will look like and find out how the changes might affect them.

ACTION will also be asking Canberra residents for comments about the proposed community routes – these will be used to adjust the routes to better reflect the community’s needs.

The dates and locations of the public meetings are:

Belconnen
Belconnen Churches Centre
Benjamin Way, Belconnen
Mon 23 March 1998 ? 6.45pm

North Canberra
Majura Community Centre
Rosevear Place, Dickson
Tues 24 March 1998 ? 6.15pm

Weston Creek
Royals Football Club

Liardet St Weston
Wed 25 March 1998 ? 7.30pm

Tuggeranong
Tuggeranong Library
Cowlishaw Street, Tuggeranong
Thurs 26 March 1998 ? 6.30pm

Woden
Woden Churches Centre
4^th Floor Woden Centre, Woden Town Square
Tuesday 31 March 1998 – 6.45pm

Gungahlin
Palmerston Primary School
Kosciusko Crescent, Palmerston
Wed 1 April 1998 – 6.30pm

South Canberra
Haydon Centre Boardroom
Franklin Street, Forrest
Thurs 2 April 1998 ? 6.15pm

If residents can’t make it to one of the public meetings, information will also be available at ACTION interchanges or by phoning the HOTLINE on 62078095.

HOW TO CONTACT ACTION

You can call us on the HOTLINE -telephone 6207 8095 to speak to a Planning Officer

You can write to us by mail – ACTION, Network ?98

PO Box 1155, Tuggeranong ACT, 2901

You can fill out the Comments Form below and leave at an ACTION Interchange, or post to ACTION, Network ?98, PO Box 1155 Tuggeranong 2901

And you can email us at action@netinfo.com.au

Actual frequencies will be determined following further consideration of
patronage levels of existing services, demand from other areas and
customer feedback from Stage 2 public consultation.