SHANE Rattenbury says residents of Banks, Conder and Gordon will receive free travel on all ACTION bus services in the Lanyon Valley during the morning peak from Friday 9 January 2015.

Bus services impacted by the closure of Tharwa Drive include 18, 19, 318, 319, 718, 719 and 775. Passengers will not be required to tag on or off or pay cash to travel until road works have completed. Normal fares will apply on transferring to connecting buses.

“We recognise that ACTION passengers in Banks, Conder and Gordon have experienced significant delays and slower bus journeys during the morning peak following the closure of Tharwa Drive for essential works for the new South Tuggeranong Fire & Rescue station,” Shane said.

“In an effort to alleviate some of the traffic congestion in south Tuggeranong and to thank existing bus passengers for their patience, ACTION will provide free travel on services originating in the Lanyon Valley from the first service of the day to 9.30 am on weekdays. This arrangement will remain in place until Tharwa Drive is reopened.

“ACTION passengers who travelled from the Lanyon Valley this week who incurred a default fare or extra charges will also automatically have this amount refunded onto their MyWay card as soon as possible.”

Mr Rattenbury said the ACT Government has implemented a number of measures to help alleviate the traffic congestion caused by the closure of Tharwa Drive.

“We brought in more traffic controllers, temporary traffic lights and one-way northbound traffic on a section of Woodcock Drive in the morning peak period which has helped improve the traffic flow in the area,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“The ACT Government would like to thank residents of the Lanyon Valley for their patience while the works for the new South Tuggeranong Fire & Rescue station are underway,” Shane concluded.

Holiday timetables are still in place tomorrow, with normal weekday bus services resuming on Monday. For more information go to action.act.gov.au