But for Chris Steel, Ms Fitzharris' successor as the ACT's Transport Minister, the role and responsibility appears to sits comfortably.

At least for now.

"I think it makes natural sense for me to have this portfolio," says Mr Steel, speaking with The Canberra Times as he sips on a coffee inside Curtin's Red Brick café.

That's not an insignificant claim. Mr Steel is 33. He would blend in comfortably with the café's hipster coffee crowd, was he not dressed in a suit befitting a senior politician.

He's a first-term parliamentarian. His rise from the backbench to Cabinet was an accomplishment in itself.

As far as political careers go, he might still be considered a P-plater. Yet, following Ms Fitzharris' shock resignation late last month, he's been handed the keys to the shiniest vehicle in the Barr government's garage.

He knows that challenges await - bumps on the road, if you will - but is confident he can safely steer the government's transport agenda.

That confidence, he insists, won't translate into stubbornness. He's a strong advocate for the government's controversial new bus network, but is open to making further tweaks where necessary.

His assuredness that he's the man to drive Canberra forward sprouts, in part, from his roots.

Born in the steel city of Newcastle, but raised in Torrens and elected in the seat of Murrumbidgee, Mr Steel refers to Woden as his "home town".

Just as Ms Fitzharris, a Gungahlin local, was considered the right woman to deliver light rail to Canberra's north, Mr Steel firmly believes he is the right man to steer it over the lake, through the parliamentary triangle and down to Woden - and possibly beyond.

Unlike Ms Fitzharris, he won't have to juggle the challenging health portfolio while attempting to bring light rail to his doorsteps of his constituents.

"People are now clamouring for us to come to Tuggeranong and I think that shows a real change in the conversation since stage one, now that it's running and we're seeing huge numbers of people," Mr Steel says.

"It's changed from 'should we do this?' to 'bring it closer to me', which is a great conversation to have."

Mr Steel was seen as a logical appointment as Transport Minister, given he already held the roads portfolio.

But in his short parliamentary career, it is the policies he's helped develop and champion as City Services Minister for which he has become best known.

Under his watch, the government has started consultation on banning single-use plastics - including straws and disposable coffee cups - in the ACT.

Earlier this year, he introduced laws to recognise pets as "sentient beings with intrinsic value", as part of a major overhaul of animal welfare legislation.

The laws, which included measures to fine owners if they failed to "appropriately" exercise their pets, attracted some criticism, with the opposition labelling them a "massive overreach".

But whatever scrutiny or adverse publicity he has received thus far, it's likely to pale in comparison to what he can expect to face in the pressure-cooker transport portfolio.

Save for a few minor technical glitches and instances of heavy-handed treatment of minors by ticket inspectors, the launch of light rail has gone smoothly.

But it has been a far bumpier ride for the territory's redrawn bus network. The new streamlined network has removed routes and stops, sparking anger and confusion among commuters and school children.

The government has already agreed to some concessions, and Mr Steel says he is willing to make further adjustments - so long as they don't compromise the wider network.

"I appreciate that [some commuters] are worse off and I understand that," he says.

"If there are tweaks that can be made to accommodate them that benefit the system as a whole, then we will look at that. But the whole purpose of this transport system was to encourage more people to use it - and that is what we have been seeing."

On the topic of buses, Mr Steel speaks enthusiastically about the opportunity to eventually phase out the government's diesel fleet in place of electric, or even hydrogen-powered vehicles.

There is excitement, too, about the emergence of new transport options, such as share bikes and e-scooter services, although he is alert to the problems which have plagued similar schemes interstate.

He's pro-public transport and active travel, but says cars will remain a "legitimate" options for Canberrans into the future.

In the first few weeks of his tenure as the ACT's Transport Minister, Chris Steel is trying to keep everyone happy.

It appears to be working.

At least for now.