Canberrans have an addiction - to their cars.
About 9 per cent of Canberrans take advantage of the capital’s public transport network, half the national average.
Yet the ACTION Buses network receives a government subsidy of about $100 million each year.
The territory’s car dependence also causes problems including road congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
While the goal of increasing the number of people on public transport seems universal, the way to achieve this is a matter of contention among political aspirants at the October 20 territory election.
The Sunday Canberra Times asked the major political parties where they stand on public transport in the capital.
Bullet Train for Canberra only has one policy, to get high-speed rail from Canberra to Sydney and then eventually the whole east coast of Australia.
Party president Tim Bohm said the policy would include a rail station in either the heart of the city, at Mitchell or at Canberra Airport.
He said a bullet train would have benefits for public transport in the capital as the increased number of travellers would encourage better transport infrastructure and greater competition among providers.
The Canberra Liberals said buses should remain the main mode of public transport in Canberra, but commuter numbers needed to increase. They said they would announce a transport policy in the coming weeks, which would include methods to address ACTION’s deficiencies.
Liberals Urban Services spokesman Alistair Coe said patronage would only improve by building confidence in the network.
”Changes must be made that will increase the efficiency, reliability and accessibility,” Mr Coe said.
The ACT Greens said their vision for a future transport system would include light rail and improving the frequency and coverage of the bus network.
Greens transport spokeswoman Amanda Bresnan said the cross-benches would soon release a major public transport initiative.
Ms Bresnan said the Greens wanted the Red Rapid express model replicated for more runs, with a focus on increased frequency and also on direct routes.
ACT Labor said its Transport for Canberra strategy, launched in March, would break Canberra’s car dependence over the next 20 years.
Labor said its key aims were to reduce congestion on our roads and increase public transport use.
Transport Minister Simon Corbell said Labor was investigating a mass transit system along Northbourne Avenue, which would utilise either high-capacity articulated buses or light rail.
