Canberra was to trial a "dial-a-bus" service, reported The Canberra Times on this day 47 years ago.
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The minister for the capital territory, Gordon Bryant, had approved in principle the introduction of the experimental scheme, telling The Canberra Times that he hoped the service would be introduced in the Woden Valley.
If the trials proved successful, the service would be extended to other parts of the city. The initial scheme was intended to provide "door-to-door" on-demand service between people's homes and the Woden bus interchange. People would be able to telephone a central depot to request a bus, and would be told when to expect the bus and what the fare would be.
It was intended that no one would have to wait more than half an hour.
The initial trial service was intended to cater for Woden Plaza shoppers as well as connecting with the city-bound express buses.
Mr Bryant said return journeys could be pre-booked. He said that if it were to be fully operational, the service would be supported by the Woden Plaza with delivery of parcels from stores to the "dial-a-bus" depot for delivery to householders.