Canberra's new light rail stops might not be as distinctive as the city's famous bus stops, but they've taken inspiration from one of the ACT's most iconic sites.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The design of 12 stops, from the Gungahlin Place terminus to Eloura Street in Braddon, was unveiled for public comment on Friday.
Their underside was inspired by the "undulation of the Brindabellas", transport minister Meegan Fitzharris said.
"That was very specific as I understand from the designers for people to be able to see Canberra's light rail reflected in these light rail stops," Ms Fitzharris said.
"These stops will form a very critical part of the light rail network but they are of course also on our major gateways so they're also on the entry way to the nation's capital so the National Capital Authority have been deeply involved with working through this design phase. They will be doing the works approval and I understand they're also very happy with the designs."
The weather screens include design work from Canberra artist Hannah Quinlin.
But there's more to the stops than just the aesthetics. Key elements of the designs include seating, ticketing machines, digital signage, accessibility ramps, level boarding to the trams hearing induction loops, over-the-speaker announcements and tactile indicators.
Security was a factor in the design of the lighting and there will be CCTV and help points as well.
'One of the really exciting parts about the light rail network is this stage one route will be highly accessible so they'll be highly accessible for people with a disability," Ms Fitzharris said.
"They'll be great for people with prams, they'll be great for people with bikes, you'll be able to wheel your bikes on and off the light rail vehicles and be ale to access the stops really easily and that's always been a part of the design feature of light rail."
A works approval for the stops has been lodged with the NCA and will be open for comment until June 2.
Ms Fitzharris would not say if they would go back to the drawing board if the public rejected the design.
"We're really confident the Canberra community will respond really well to the look of the light rail stops but also all of the thoughtfulness about Canberra's natural landscape that's gone into the design ...They will become iconic," Ms Fitzharris said.
Further information on the designs and details on how to provide feedback are available on the NCA website.
