2026-02-26
The ACT Greens successfully passed a vote in Parliament which will see at least one rapid bus service restored to West Belconnen by Term 3 this year.
The move comes after almost 1,500 people, and counting, have signed a community petition backed by the ACT Greens to reinstate the R2 and R3 to its original route across the Belconnen region.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader and Member for Ginninderra, Jo Clay, said the region is home to almost one-in-ten Canberrans and the government’s decision has unfairly impacted people who cannot drive, people who have a disability, shift workers, and people travelling with bulky items like prams.
“The Greens will always back better outcomes for the community – and today’s vote does this,” Ms Clay said.
“It will see the rapid routes return to West Belconnen and shows that the ACT Labor Government made a poor decision which had real impacts on people’s everyday lives.
“The ACT Labor Government’s decision to cut the R2 and R3 bus routes from Spence, Kippax, and Fraser caused disruptions, and cut off rapid convenient travel and direct connection to other hubs where people work, study or be part of events and community.
“This decision was a betrayal to the 50,000 Canberrans who live in north and West Belconnen. Labor promised West Belconnen more rapids at the last election but instead cut their routes.”
ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport, Andrew Braddock, said the Labor Government knew about the upgrades to Commonwealth Avenue Bridge for years and failed to grow our fleet and workforce in preparation.
“This is yet more evidence of Labor’s lack of investment in public transport in anticipation of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works that the ACT Government knew was coming,” Mr Braddock said.
“Canberrans want more public transport options during major road disruptions, not less.
“Labor have disincentivised use of the public transport system for many Canberrans. Everyone has been impacted by these changes, and in West Belconnen they were hit hardest.
“Belconnen residents won’t see the benefits of light rail this decade – the very least this government can do is maintain the rapid bus routes people already rely on.”
The vote also saw amendments to increase other routes, like the R4 and R5, following the network changes which came into effect earlier this month.