ACT Light Rail - is a community based, not for profit public transport lobby group comprised of members, (both individuals and representatives of other community groups) who share the common goal of promoting and achieving the ideal of Light Rail as the primary mode of mass public transit in the Capital Region.
The case for Light Rail for the ACT and Capital Region...
The Capital Region’s roads are increasingly congested, especially during peak hours and the entire road network is becoming increasingly unsuitable for the volume that is currently commuting every day just to get to work...
Light rail will provide a transport system attractive enough to encourage people out of their cars in all areas of the ACT and Capital Region. The ACT Government (with the assistance of the Federal Government) needs to commit resources to undertake an initial comprehensive feasibility study that will explore possible routes and establish accurate costing for a Light Rail network. A proposed Light Rail network could initially utilise the existing Tuggeranong, Kingston, Queanbeyan/ Bungendore rail lines and ultimately be expanded to include all ACT town centres and significant areas of employment.
The above map illustrates only one of many options for a possible staged implementation of a light rail network for the Capital region. The initial line leverages the existing rail track running down the ACT/NSW border. The network then could be expanded in stages (numbered 1 through 4). Park and Ride facilities are strategically placed around the network to minimise reliance on the car as a primary transport mode.
Map Key: Red Hatched: Exisiting heavy rail line; Dark Blue - Possible 1st built stage (based on NCA upgrades to Constitution Avenue); Green - Possible 2nd built stage (major Park & Ride Facilities); Pink - Possible 3rd built stage (connection to Town Centres); Light Blue - Possible 4th built stage (completion of network circuits).
Note that the concept map has been designed to promote interest and discussion only - the actually phased implementation should be determined by a proper unbiased feasibility study and cost benefit analysis.
Today ACT Light Rail welcomed the inclusion of a bid by the ACT Government to implement Light Rail in the Capital Region as part of the Infrastructure Australia’s national shortlist of projects.
“In these troubled economic times, there is no doubt that a significant project to implement Light Rail will help keep the ACT economy buoyant. It will provide ongoing economic stimuli through related development, urban design and investment, as well as addressing the longer term public transport infrastructure and environmental issues”, stated Mr. Reynolds.
The project is listed in the Infrastructure Australia report as a single line item at $2.95billion, however very little is actually known about what was contained in the bid from the ACT Government to Infrastructure Australia as the final document has not been released to the public.
“According to a response to a question without notice in the Assembly the Chief Minister admitted that neither the previous or current Ministers for Transport or the Chief Minister himself had actually scrutinized or assessed the bid before it was submitted. Furthermore the submission on behalf of the ACT Government was only a draft and not the final report due to timeline constraints,” continued Mr. Reynolds.
“Whilst the finer details of the submission are hazy, we remain supportive of the project and look forward to working with the Government to bring the project to fruition”, concluded Mr. Reynolds.
ACT Light Rail maintains a comprehensive web-site on which information about light rail is available at www.ACTLightRail.info
This is footage of a question without notice in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday 09 December, 2008.
The Question was from Ms. Amanda Bresnan MLA (ACT Greens) to Mr. Jon Stanhope MLA (ALP) the ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Transport. The question is in relation to the study undertaken by Price Waterhouse Coopers for the development of a submission and business case for ACT light rail to be submitted to Infrastructure Australia.
ACT Light Rail will be pursuing the ability to scrutinise copies of the aforementioned business case, both the original first draft (as initially submitted to Infrastructure Australia) and the final report.
Note: copyright of the material in this clip resides with the Australian Capital Territory. Usage permitted in accordance with the Australian Copyright Act 1968, Section 42: Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news. Source: ACT Legislative Assembly, http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/
ACT Light Rail - is a community based, not for profit public transport lobby group comprised of members, (both individuals and representatives of other community groups) who share the common goal of promoting and achieving the ideal of Light Rail as the primary mode of mass public transit in the Capital Region.