THE Canberra Liberals’ half-baked transport scheme demonstrates just how clueless they are, say two ministers in a combined response of Greens and Labor to Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson’s plan for more buses.

“Is this amateur-hour policy all they have to show for almost three years in opposition? What have the lazy Liberals been doing?” say Greens’ Shane Rattenbury and Labor’s Mick Gentleman.

“The Libs have no clue how to pay for this, either. Their flyover would cost well over $50m, not the $30m proposed. Buses need somewhere to park and be maintained: a new depot costs $25m, which they haven’t even considered, let alone funded. No wonder they have already had to admit they don’t know when they will actually do any of this.”

Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Transport Reform, Shane Rattenbury, said: “The short-sighted Liberal scheme does not consider the realities of our growing city. If their ‘express’ buses are really to avoid traffic and be express, they need priority or separation, which the scheme does not fund.

“The Liberals are playing catch-up on public-transport planning. For years they stuck their head in the sand and opposed public transport spending. Now they have finally realised the value of buses, but don’t understand the need for a 21st century integrated transport strategy.

“Under the Government’s integrated plan, the completion of the light rail corridor will improve the whole transport network, including by freeing buses to provide connections elsewhere.

“The Liberal scheme ignores the unique benefits of high-quality light-rail corridors, which accommodate growth, attract more people to public transport, and are a key element of truly sustainable and convenient transport future.”

And Minister for Roads and Parking Mick Gentleman said: “The ACT Government will start work this year on its fully-funded plan to improve peak time traffic on the Barton Highway with new traffic signals. This will help Gungahlin residents heading towards Belconnen in the morning and help them get home sooner in the evening.”