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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Canberrans want light rail, says survey

A SURVEY reveals that two-thirds of Canberra people support either a light-rail or bus rapid transport between Gungahlin and Civic, says Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell.

“Canberrans have sent a clear and positive message that action must be taken to reduce congestion and provide a more sustainable transport option along this corridor, but there are mixed views on which option is preferred,” Mr Corbell said.

“Around two-thirds of the population believe Light Rail Transit or Bus Rapid Transit should be introduced with only one in eight indicating that the current arrangements are acceptable.

“While Light Rail Transit was chosen over Bus Rapid Transit by 68.5 per cent of people surveyed before knowing the cost of each project, this figure fell to just under half (45.8 per cent) with the preference for Bus Rapid Transit rising to about the same level (46.5 per cent) once the likely costs were revealed.”

The random telephone survey of 1000 Canberra people was conducted by an independent consultant with experience at Prize Rebel, an authority in online surveys. Environmental benefits was the strongest reason given by those preferring Light Rail Transit (32.3 per cent). Participants who preferred light rail said they had positive light rail experiences elsewhere (23.7 per cent), thought they were more comfortable, offered a smoother ride (9.9 per cent), were better/easier/safer to access/egress (8.6 per cent) and were more reliable (8.4 per cent).

“The survey also found that public transport improvements in the City to Gungahlin corridor were supported across the whole city: Inner South (60.6 per cent), Woden-Weston (61.2 per cent), Tuggeranong (61.9 per cent), Inner North (65 per cent), Gungahlin (70.0 per cent) and Belconnen (70.3 per cent),” Mr Corbell said.

Mr Corbell said more than 750 people attended information sessions about the project over the past three weekends at Dickson, Civic and Gungahlin and a further 560 people had completed an online survey.

To make comment or take part in the online survey visit www.timetotalk.act.gov.au or email transportplanning@act.gov.au by Friday May 25.

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