FOLLOWING changes to the bus network in April, elderly residents living in Tuggeranong have said they feel as though they’re losing their independence, according to Canberra Liberal Member Mark Parton. 

Mr Parton, alongside other Canberra Liberal Member’s Nicole Lawder and Andrew Wall have spoken and met with numerous Tuggeranong residents who are angry about the changes to the network.

The Canberra Liberals, who are calling for changes to the network, say other residents with health or mobility issues have said they can no longer safely access a bus stop or manage the extended travel times and frequent transfers.

“Labor and the Greens have effectively forced Tuggeranong residents off buses and sent them to the back of the queue,” Ms Lawder says.

Mr Wall says that many families on the south side have been forced back in to their car because the new routes are impractical.

“The cancellation of many dedicated school bus routes has also compounded the problems of the new network increasing congestion in peak periods,” he says.

The Canberra Liberals say this issues is not unknown to the government and point out an interview on ABC radio where Transport Minister Chris Steel admitted fewer people in Canberra’s south are using public transport since the upheaval of the bus network.

Canberra Liberals say it will keep calling for changes to the network and, in June, Shadow Transport Minister Candice Burch presented to the Assembly several petitions with more than 7000 signatures from people who are also calling for the bus network to be fixed.