ACT government rules out public transport passenger cap, increase in services

Transport Minister Chris Steel has instead asked Canberrans to avoid public transport, especially during peak hour, where possible.

Canberra's public transport lobby group wants the government to introduce its new timetable which would increase some services. It was put on the back burner when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

On Monday, NSW announced new coronavirus restrictions that would cap the number of people allowed on buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

But Transport Minister Minister Chris Steel said a similar move was not on the cards in the ACT.

"We won't be leaving anyone behind who needs public transport, especially school students," he said.

"It shouldn't be necessary to have caps on passenger numbers, if Canberrans continue to do the right thing and reconsider their need to use public transport during peak times."

He said more services to create room on public transport was also not necessary, instead asking people to avoid using it.

Mr Steel said he was worried about a long term increase in road congestion.

"The risk here is that after seeing a huge drop in traffic volumes, that we actually see more traffic in the long term than we did before the pandemic, as people seek to social distance themselves in private vehicles," he said.

"That would be a very bad outcome for all road users and the sustainability of the city."

He said Transport Canberra was preparing a recovery plan that would work on how to build the public's confidence in public transport, beyond hygiene measures, as the territory emerges from the pandemic.

"However, the ACT government is not yet encouraging Canberrans back on to public transport," he said.

Chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra, Ryan Hemsley, said it was key that overcrowding was avoided as people returned to work in the coming weeks and months.

He said people needed to remain confident in the system.

"If they don't feel safe on public transport they're not going to use it," Mr Hemsley said.

He said some services may have to increase in frequency, and called on the government to implement planned upgrades to the system "as soon as possible".

"Some of the more popular buses may be needed more frequently," Mr Hemsley said.

"The peak frequency may have to start little earlier and end a little later."

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Opposition transport spokeswoman Candice Burch said the government should move to ensure public safety on the public transport network.

"Such as; limiting the number of passengers, increasing service frequency, and installing sanitiser stations on bus entry and exits points," she said.

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