ACT Bus Update

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- The ACT BUS Team.
actbus@bur.st

Deanes' New AOA

Deanes have joined ACTION by having a new Aboriginal Cultural Livery on their Volvo Orana. The vehicle is seen here in City Interchange.

Special thanks to Irisbus Rider for the photograph!

990 back in Service

Bus 990 has finally re-entered service after being out of ACTION (lulz) since November last year. 990 was a PR100.3NGV vehicle, and had not been in service since being converted back to Diesel earlier this year.

990 was reported some months ago as the second of the new Aboriginal Cultural Livery buses, and was photographed at Belconnen Depot with a bike rack. However upon re-entering service this week, no bike rack is on the bus.

Thanks to Irisbus Rider for the photo of this fantastic new livery!

New AOA: Canberra Centre

969 joins the (lately) growing ranks of AOA buses, with this quite nice Canberra Centre wrap. It was first spotted earlier this week, and also has a bike rack.

Thanks to Irisbus Rider for the photo!

More Election Promises from Labor

The ACT Labor Party has pledged $10million over four years to improve ACTION if it is re-elected at next month's elections.

The funding will be spent on more frequent services, more shelters and seating. There are also plans to introduce a free tourist loop service and a lunchtime service from the Parliamentary Triangle into the city.

The Greens, meanwhile are saying that these latest pledges do not do enough to reverse the damage done by Network 06.

Brindabella candidate Amanda Bresnan points out there is no mention of any additional buslanes - something that is lacking in Canberra. "We have three major roads into Tuggeranong, not one of them has a busway".

Ms Bresnan did welcome the additional infrastructure "I guess one of the things we would say in regards to that is that people are waiting for up to an hour for a service so they will need something to wait under," she said

"So it's good to see they are actually going to put in some bus shelters for these people."

Source and Photo: ABC News Online

Election Promises - Transport

The ACT Election isn't too far off now, so here's a quick rundown on what the parties are promising, transport wise:

Labor Party $250m over five years for transport, which includes $50m for ACTION Buses, $87m for widening Gungahlin Drive and Athllon Drive (both of which have begun), realigning the Kings Hwy at Bungendore, duplicating Tharwa Dr, upgrading Lanyon Drive and $2m for Cycle Lanes on Cotter Road.

Australian Motorist Party Immediate widening of Gungahlin Dr, construction of a grade-seperated intersection near the airpot, bus slipways on arterial roads and separate cycle lanes on heavy traffic roads.

Liberal Party Finish Upgrading Gungahlin Dr whilst moving "Rapidly" to widen other roads. They would also increase the frequency of ACTION buses, upgrade Park n Ride and tighten security on buses and at interchanges.

Community Alliance Party Developing public transport in the form of light rail, privatised buses and expanded Park n Ride.

The Greens have not specifically stated any promises, but called for a plan focused on transport, cycling and walking rather than on cars.

Based on that, where would your vote go this October? Let us know!

Source: Canberra Times

ACTION Bus Crashes Soar 18%

ACTION Buses were involved in 272 accidents in the 2007-08 financial year, which is an increase of 18 percent on the previous year. (231 in the 2006-07 financial year). Of the 272 accidents, seven resulted in injuries to the driver or passengers.

ACTION General Manager Tom Elliott admitted that while drivers were responsible for many accidents, motorists were also responsible, causing 38 rear-end collisions in the 06-07 financial year.

Mr Elliott reminded motorists that a bus leaving a bus stop has right of way, something that many motorists forget, or ignore.

Photo: ACT BUS Collection

New ACTION Scania Model

This awesome new model is available now from TransitGraphics for $49.00 plus postage.

It's the "retooled" version, correct to the smallest detail - handrails are all in the correct places and the ACT Government logo is present. The model carries fleet number 371 and is a 1:76 scale.

More on 982 and 990's New AOA's

The Canberra Times recently had a good article about the new AOA's on Buses 982 and 990.

It reveals that the artwork was organised by the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre. The artwork represents country and creation stories from the ACT region.

Five senior artists and eight children were involved in designing the artwork, which was Launched by TAMS Minister John Hargreaves. The Minister said "What these buses represent is a very tangible expression of the journey that the non-indigenous and the indigenous peoples in Canberra are actually going through at the moment towards true reconciliation and a true embracement of each other"

Read the full article here

754's Unofficial AOA

Some time ago now, Bus 754, a Renault PR100.2 used for driver training, was given an unofficial AOA.

Whilst parked at the TISC driver training centre at Sutton overnight, grafitti artists struck.

While there was speculation that the vehicle would be repainted by ACTION into the newer "orange over blue" colour scheme, the grafitti was cleaned off at ACTION's Belconnen Depot, leaving a few tell-tale signs to the keen-eyed observer.

Visit our forum to see the grafitti artwork in our Multimedia section.

374 out and about

Bus 374, ACTION's brand new MAN, was spotted out and about this week, parked on London Cct in what appeared to be a media briefing.

Items of note include the logo on the right hand side of the vehicle, which despite obvious "white space", has been placed over the orange swish.

The vehicle is still on driver training.

Thanks to Todd Milton for the photograph.

New Service Numbers for Raiders Routes

The Raiders Shuttle services, formerly known as 980 and 981 have now been changed to 986 and 987 respectively. Obviously, the numbers had to be changed as 981 is currently a weekend Tourist Loop, and 980 is allocated to the weekend route to the new prison.

One would expect that the Brumbies Shuttle Service 982 will be renumbered too.

New Aboriginal Livery on 982 and 990

Bus 982 and Bus 990 now feature new Aboriginal livery. Bus 982 was for the majority of its life, in a hand-painted livery, but following accident damage the decision was made to give it a new look.

990 also features a bike rack, and its AOA differs to that of 982's.

Thanks to Renault Rider for the photo.

Special Services for WYD Canberra

ACTION are providing special shuttle services to Days in the Diocese Festival and Commissioning Mass, at EPIC on 12 July. The event forms part of World Youth Day.

You can find a list of the shuttles and times here. The route numbers are 983, 989, 995, 996, 997 and 998.

BUS 374 at Belconnen

Thanks to Martin, we have our first photos of new MAN bus 374 at ACTION's Belconnen Depot.

While the bus will be based at Tuggeranong, the bus was spotted there today, likely for the installation of equipment.

Visit our forum to see the photographs.

iTunes for Belconnen

Interchange, that is.

ACTION is conducting a two week trial of playing music and announcements in Belconnen Interchange. The two main aims of this exercise are to provide commuters with a more pleasant environment as well as discouraging anti-social behaviour.

The playlist includes Delta Goodrem, Sting, Nat King Cole and Arethra Franklin.

If successful, the initiative will be extended to other interchanges.

Fatal Accident on Yarra Glen

A man has died following a single vehicle collision this morning.

The car left the road around 3.30am on Yarra Glen, hitting a tree.

The ACT road toll for 2008 now stands at seven.

Espresso with your Xpresso?

ACTION have called for tenders for Coffee Cart operators for the four interchanges (presumably for operation in peak times)

General Manager Tom Elliott said that the carts would initially run on a six month trial, and stated that consuming food on drinks on ACTION buses was still not permitted.

A great idea, particularly in Tuggeranong, Woden and Belconnen interchange where there's a bit of a walk to the nearest cafe. If they can get this up and running during Winter, they'll surely do a great trade while everyone freezes their asses off waiting for the next bus.

Four More Buses Going Your Way

Word has it that Buses 758, 948, 977 and 978 have joined 899 and 947 in ACTION's "Going Your Way" AOA.

In other fleet news, 979 has been transferred from Tuggeranong to Belconnen.

Canberra Times Poll

A Poll currently running on the Canberra Times website asks "How Regularly Do You Use Public Transport in Canberra?"

At the time of writing, 296 votes had been cast:

41.2% - Never
27.7% - On The Rare Occasion
21.3% - At least once a day
09.8% - At least once a week.

Canberra Times

68% of Canberrans Drive: Survey

A survey by insurance company AAMI has revealed that 68% of Canberrans drive their Car to get around town. We came in second only to Darwin (74%). Sydney had 57%.

The survey, conducted at the start of 2008 shows that public transport use in Canberra has risen 3 percentage points to 10%.

John Crommie from AAMI said that fifty percent of those surveyed indicated that public transport in Canberra is unreliable.

"One third says that it takes too long to get to their destination,"

"And a similar number, 35 per cent, said that they can't use public transport because it's not available where they live, work or go to school."

ACTION General Manager Tom Elliot refused to comment on the survey, repeating his claim from the previous week that more Canberrans were taking ACTION than ever.

ABC News

New Network Sees 8% More Passengers

According to the ACT Government, More people are taking ACTION as a result of high petrol prices.

Passenger loadings since the start of Network 08 are up by 8% against the same period in 2007, a figure, according to Acting TAMS Minister Andrew Barr, means that Canberrans are backing the new timetables.

The Minister did admit that some people were not happy with the changes and ACTION was working to satisfy their concerns.



ABC News

New ACTION Ads

With Network 08 now launched, ACTION are pimping their service with some new ads. Special thanks go to Locki from Act Bus Forum for the video!

2008 ACT Road Toll now at Six

An ADFA Cadet died this morning following a single car accident on Constitution Avenue, Russell.

Ben Taylor of Queensland was a passenger in a Lexus when the driver lost control, colliding with a concrete barrier just past Reg Saunders Way.

Police believe the car may have been speeding. Two other passengers remain in criticla condition in Canberra Hospital.

Greyhound Increases Passengers by 16%

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Greyhound Coaches experienced a 16% rise in patronage on the Canberra-Sydney route in the year to April 2008.

Higher Petrol Prices appear to be the main cause for the increase. Greyhound CEO Robert Thomas said that "it (Greyhound) experienced customer growth in the past 12 months well beyond any figures recorded over the past decade"

Loadings on the Sydney-Byron Bay route increased by 18% for the same period.

Source: SMH

Free Travel for Over 75's Starts 1 July

Put down your needlepoint, grandma. Switch off that talkback radio, grandpa. Pop in your hearing aid and listen up.

From 1 July 2008, all over 75's are entitled to an ACTION Gold Card - this will entitle them to free travel on any ACTION service.

Visit the ACTION website to download the application (ask the grandkids), then get down to the shopfront to receive your pass.

Bless!

Raiders Shuttle Services

ACTION are again providing free travel to the Raiders vs Broncos game, this Sunday 15 June 2008.

Routes 980 and 981 depart from the Interchanges around midday for a 2pm kickoff.

For those enthusiasts who havent caught a bus to the footy before, get out there and take your camera - more than half of ACTION's PR180.2 Artics are usually out there, and it makes for a great photo opportunity.

Buses depart Bruce Stadium to the interchanges 20 minutes after fulltime.

Check the timetables at ACTION's website, and chuckle at the fact that they STILL can't spell the word "Route" correctly

Canberra-Goulburn Service In Trouble

The Goulburn Post reports that Bowman's Canberra to Goulburn service is under threat, due to low patronage. The service has been running for less than three months.

Ken Bowman of Bowman's Coachline told the paper that while they were hesitant to end the service, it could not remain financially viable in the longterm.

"We need more people to use it. It needs more support" he said.

Source

Got a Spare $27,500 (plus GST)?

Transborder Express are currently selling off their Mercedes Benz LO 81

It features a custom coaches body, seats 29 and has clocked up 580,000k's

If that doesnt tickle your fancy, then how about a Volvo B12B, for a cool $365,000 (plus GST)

Check them out on the TBX website

Christmas Route Numbers

Last year saw ACTION use single digit route numbers on Christmas Day. But with these route numbers now allocated to regular route services, "what numbers will be used for the Christmas Services now?" we hear you ask.

Well, ACT BUS can exclusively reveal that this year, the 90 series of numbers will be allocated to christmas day services.

Well, that answers that, then.

Full back ads return

A familiar site on the PR100.2 buses in the 90's and earlier part of this decade, full rear ads have returned to ACTION, this time gracing the PR100.3

A number of buses are now sporting the ad for the Incredible Hulk. Only time will tell if we get more of this type od advert in the future.

Photograph: Todd Milton

Change to Route 25/225

ACTION's website advises that Route 25/225 has now changed to service Namatjira Dr, Weston. It will now travel past the Mirinjani Retirement Village and Nursing Home.

Commuters can check the new timetable and map here, yet despite claiming to be, the map is clearly not updated to show the travel on Namatjira Drive. Not to mention Brewer St is curiously mislabelled as Neptune Street, which is actually on the other side of Westfield...

ACT BUS Updates

A number of updated sections on the website this weekend. They include:

- Route Listing: Christmas Routes Added
- Interchange Guides: All updated for new network
- Visiting Enthusiasts: Guide updated and tourist attractiond added
- Network 08: Small changes and corrections made
- From the Past: June edition added to History
- Fleet Lists: Transborder List updated

Enjoy!

New Network Causes Confusion

The introduction of Canberra's new bus network last Monday reportedly saw commuter confusion across the board. Whilst ACTION placed customer support staff on duty in the interchanges this week to assist commuters, many were still having a hard time adjusting to changes in timings, frequency, route direction, route numbers and departure platforms.

The Canberra Times reports that there was frustration from commuters along routes where frequencies have been dropped, or routes changed entirely.

Les Gallagher, ACTION's service operations manager said that 90 to 95 percent of passengers had no problems adjusting to the new network as they had researched the changes to their service and planned accordingly

ACTION service planning manager Tim Swift said it had been one of the smoothest ever introductions for a new network.

Tell us about your experience with the new network in the comment box below.

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