Parents should be concerned that school students are being left stranded at bus stops due to Canberra's bus network changes, deputy Chief Minister Yvetter Berry has said.
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However, Ms Berry said the government is taking student safety very carefully, despite students waiting for long periods of time due to full commuter buses not stopping at designated stops.
"It's a significant change to the public transport system in the ACT and it will take some time to get used to it," Ms Berry told ABC radio on Friday morning.
![The new bus network has caused controversy since it was introduced this week. Picture: Jamila Toderas The new bus network has caused controversy since it was introduced this week. Picture: Jamila Toderas](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc754p2hfv9l1m7f18833.jpg/r0_483_5576_3630_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Even more children have been catching buses than previously.
"Children seem more adaptable than adults to change and are able to navigate the system more easily than parents can."
Ms Berry defended the controversial network changes, saying more people were using public transport than ever before.
However, Transport Canberra and Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris were accused on Thursday of "fabricating" passenger data to spruik the bus network changes.
In a statement, Ms Fitzharris said MyWay data showed there were 90,000 boardings in one day on Tuesday, a record for the ACT.
![Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry defended the bus network changes. Picture: Jamila Toderas Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry defended the bus network changes. Picture: Jamila Toderas](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc72bz0vtuog11i50gmcga.jpg/r0_0_5000_3333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
However, the Canberra Liberals' transport spokeswoman Candice Burch said the numbers were higher due to some passengers having to catch two buses to get to work instead of one.
Despite the claims, Ms Berry said overall passenger numbers were up.
"Even with the boarding numbers and people catching more than one bus, there's been a record increase of passengers on public transport in the last couple of days and that's great," she said.
"Seeing photos of really full bus and light rail is much better than seeing empty buses and light rail."
While the minister said there were many people who were negatively impacted by the network changes, issues were being worked through.
She said a review of the overhaul would be carried out by the end of the year.
"Towards the end of the year if there are big significant changes, they will be considered," Ms Berry said.
"We'll keep listening to feedback on the situation.
"New people are catching public transport that have never had the chance before."
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