2024-08-27
The ACT Greens announced their plans for light rail at last night’s Public Transport CBR election forum, saying a city-wide network will need a rolling program of planning and construction.
“Transport is central to the way we live our lives in Canberra. It’s how we connect with our friends, our jobs, education and our communities,” said Jo Clay MLA, recontesting her seat in the Belconnen electorate of Ginninderra.
“But in a climate crisis and a cost of living crisis, transport is letting Canberrans down.
“Infrequent and inconvenient bus services lock most people into the expense of having to own a car, and with so much private car travel, transport is the number one source of climate pollution in the ACT.
“We must improve public transport, and give Canberrans the light rail that they love.
“The Liberals want to axe light rail, and Labor is saying 2033 is the best they can do. Only the Greens will push harder so today’s 9-year-olds can ride light rail to Woden before they turn 18,” said Ms Clay.
The ACT Greens will:
- Make light rail a government priority with more ambitious deadlines, a bigger project team and the budget funding required to get Stage 2 to Woden moving sooner
- Develop and keep hold of a skilled and stable light rail workforce by switching to a rolling program of planning and construction, which will also provide better value for money and quicker delivery of future stages
- Make commuting more comfortable and convenient with more frequent light rail services between Gungahlin and the city during the morning and afternoon peaks, on Friday nights and on weekends
- Investigate longer platforms at existing and new stops to accommodate more carriages, in anticipation of more passengers using light rail once the line runs all the way from Gungahlin to Woden
- Build more homes and maximise convenience for Canberrans with more dense housing permitted along the Stage 2B route and near future light rail stops
- Continue to plan for a short extension of Stage 2 to Mawson and begin early planning for future stages of the light rail network to Belconnen, the airport and Tuggeranong.
Greens MLA Emma Davidson, who is recontesting her seat in Murrumbidgee, says light rail will be transformative for people in her electorate.
“The Greens are proud to have delivered the first stage of light rail and of how popular it has proven to be.
“We’re going to do the work so more people can enjoy the benefits of light rail sooner.
“Investing as a community in public transport removes the cost burden of transport from individuals, paying all the costs associated with owning a car.
“The Greens are still the only party promising an extension of Woden’s light rail to Mawson, which would be fast to deliver alongside the construction of the woden line and expand the benefits of light rail to many more people in the Woden community.”
More information on the Greens plans for light rail is available on the ACT Greens website, alongside our other plans for more buses more often, more electric vehicles and a great path network.