Weston Creek public transport users have won changes to bus timetables in the area, as the ACT Government moves to add an additional express service to the city from next week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said a new ACTION route 725 service from Weston Creek to the City Bus Station would commence from Monday, September 15, after it was left off the new timetables accidently.
The move follows criticism of timetables and routes introduced as part of the new Network 14 system, introduced on September 1.
Weston Creek Community Council complained to ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher that as part of the changes, all of the popular express buses from Weston Creek departed before 7.20am.
Chair Tom Anderson said the early departure times would force some commuters back into cars and further disadvantage Weston Creek and Molongolo residents.
Ms Gallagher wrote Mr Anderson on Tuesday to inform him the express bus service changes had been made in error, and from next Monday an Xpresso route 725 service will depart from Cooleman Court at 7.46am, then Holder shops at 7.58am.
She said the number of express services from Weston Creek to the city had increased from two to six as part of the latest timetables, and services from the area to Woden had increased to 93 each day.
Mr Rattenbury confirmed on Tuesday the service had been left off timetables accidently.
"There are a few areas where driver feedback and GPS data from the MyWay system, some adjustments will be made to the overall timetable as necessary.
"That will really be just about getting the timings right and making sure people are getting accurate information about when they can expect the bus to arrive," Mr Rattenbury said.
He said complaints and questions about the timetable and route changes had already reduced and staff from ACTION and the TAMS directorate were continuing to monitor the network's performance.
The Canberra-wide changes were introduced after weeks of promotion by ACTION and the ACT Government, but some bus passengers have complained to drivers, a special information line and social media about daily experiences on Canberra's buses.
Last week drivers were told to stop distributing flyers asking passengers to call Mr Rattenbury's office rather than complain to them, and the Transport Workers Union said unrealistic run times put increased pressure on ACTION staff.
"We have redone the whole network and there have been some major adjustments," Mr Rattenbury said. "That's where we have had some frustration in the past week or so as people are getting used to some of those changes.
He said there had been positive feedback received about the network's operation.
"Overall we have put on 300 extra bus runs a day, and that is improvement right across the network that a lot of people will benefit from.
"Unfortunately we can't deliver to everybody's specific needs but we are confident we have developed the best, most effective and most efficient network that we can with the resources available, and we have been able to provide those 300 extra trips on weekdays as well as significant numbers of new trips on the weekends and I think the community overall will benefit from that," Mr Rattenbury said.
Timing for other services could be modified in coming weeks as ACTION officials review daily run times as part of Network 14.
