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Motion · 26 March 2026

Rapid bus services review

Wording in the final text came from Chris SteelLabor · Minister (1), James MilliganLiberal · Opposition (1), Andrew BraddockGreens · Crossbench (2), Thomas EmersonIndependent · Crossbench (1)

In short

Proposed
Mark Parton brought this motion on 26 March 2026.
Changed
5 changes proposed by 4 MLAs; 5 agreed, from Chris Steel, James Milligan, Andrew Braddock and Thomas Emerson.
Decided
Agreed as changed. No individual votes were recorded, so this doesn't show who supported it.
Final wording
Compared with the original, 107 words taken out and 373 words put in. See every difference
  1. What was proposedMark PartonLiberal · Opposition
    Read the original wording (340 words)

    That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) Rapid buses are an integral part of the public transportation network of Canberra; (b) the Network 2026 changes, caused by the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works, have resulted in a serious reduction to buses along key north-south routes such as the R2, R3, R4 and R5; and (c) ACT Labor’s Transport Plan stated that “ACT Labor will also increase the frequency of existing Rapid Services”; (2) further notes that: (a) since the discontinuation of the Xpresso services, many growing areas of Canberra have been left without a fast connection between Town Centres, particularly in Gungahlin and the Molonglo Valley; (b) ACT Labor previously committed to introducing an additional three Rapid services in this term of government; and (c) Network 2026, combined with the protracted MyWay+ saga, has damaged the public’s confidence in Canberra’s public transport network; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) undertake a detailed review of the existing Rapid Bus Network, including all Rapid bus routes; (b) as part of this review, identify: (i) service gaps in the frequency of Rapid routes across the network; (ii) instances of overcrowding on Rapid routes, including the specific times of day and days of the week when overcrowding occurs; (iii) instances of low patronage on Rapid routes, including the specific times of day and days of the week when low patronage occurs; and (iv) potential new Rapid routes based on demand or projected demand in line with Treasury’s population projections; (c) outline plans for the introduction of any new Rapid routes based on demonstrated demand or projected demand, including demand projections aligned with population forecasts produced by Treasury; (d) investigate establishing new bus routes connecting Gungahlin Town Centre with: (i) Woden Town Centre; (ii) Fyshwick Commercial Area; (iii) Brindabella Business Park; and (iv) the Canberra Airport; (e) provide an infrastructure plan identifying existing and proposed bus priority measures to be implemented along Rapid routes to improve travel times for buses; and (f) commit to tabling the results of this review in the Assembly by 24 September 2026.

  2. Proposed changeChris SteelLabor · Minister26 March 2026

    Replaced a detailed review with continuing progress, an infrastructure plan by the end of 2026 and consultation on three new Rapid routes. Our summary, review in progress

    Before

    (a) Rapid buses are an integral part of the public transportation network of Canberra

    After this change

    (a) light rail, Rapid and local bus services are all integral parts of the public transportation network of Canberra;

    The exact wording of this change

    together: 1. Omit paragraph (1)(a), substitute: “(a) light rail, Rapid and local bus services are all integral parts of the public transportation network of Canberra;”. 2. In paragraph (2)(b), insert: “(i) a new Rapid service between Lanyon and the City to replace an existing peak bus service; (ii) a new Rapid service from Ginninderry, West Belconnen and other Belconnen suburbs through to the City; and (iii) a new Rapid service for the Molonglo Town Centre;”. 3. Omit all text after paragraph (2)(c), substitute: “(3) also notes that: (a) the supply and confidence agreement between the ACT Greens and ACT Labor commits to the following being delivered in the 11 th Assembly: (i) progressively increasing bus service frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays through the term starting in 2025; (ii) increasing bus frequency on weekends starting in 2025 (hourly) and making further improvements subject to future engagement with the workforce; and (iii) increasing frequency on key Rapid bus services and introducing new Rapid bus services before the end of the term; (b) the Assembly resolution of 5 December 2024 regarding bus frequency improvements called on the Government to provide progress reports on bus frequency improvements, including the introduction of new Rapid services, to the Assembly every six months until October 2028; and (c) the Assembly resolution of 16 September 2025 regarding South Canberra buses called on the Government to, amongst other things, release a future bus network which outlines the proposed Rapid bus network, including interchanges between Rapid bus services and light rail, and connections between light rail and Rapid and local bus services across Canberra’s south; and (4) calls on the Government to: (a) continue to progress the work needed to meet the Assembly resolutions of 5 December 2024 and 16 September 2025; (b) table an infrastructure plan identifying existing and proposed bus priority measures to be implemented along Rapid routes by the last sitting day of 2026; (c) undertake community consultation on the preferred routes for the three new Rapid services outlined at paragraph (2)(b) and update the Assembly on the outcomes in the bus frequency updates tabled from March 2027 onwards; and (d) include a refresh of the light rail network plan as part of the new integrated Planning and Transport Strategy.”.

    Agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded. Its wording is in the final text.

  3. Change to Chris Steel's changeJames MilliganLiberal · Opposition26 March 2026

    Grouped by key words as: added a new call or point.

    The exact wording of this change

    to Mr Steel’s amendments: Add: “(e) investigate establishing new bus routes connecting Gungahlin Town Centre with Woden Town Centre, Fyshwick commercial areas, Brindabella Business Park and the Canberra Airport.”.

    Agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded. Some of its wording is in the final text.

  4. Change to James Milligan's changeAndrew BraddockGreens · Crossbench26 March 2026

    Grouped by key words as: added a new call or point.

    The exact wording of this change

    to Mr Milligan’s amendment to Mr Steel’s amendments: Omit “investigate establishing new bus routes”, substitute: “review public transport”. Debate continued.

    Agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded. Its wording is in the final text.

  5. Change to Chris Steel's changeThomas EmersonIndependent · Crossbench26 March 2026

    Put back service gaps, overcrowding and demand-based new routes from the original motion, which the minister's rewrite had replaced. Our summary, review in progress

    The exact wording of this change

    to Mr Steel’s amendments, as amended: After all text in paragraph (4)(a), insert: “(b) as part of this work, consider: (i) service gaps in the frequency of Rapid routes across the network; (ii) instances of overcrowding on Rapid routes and the light rail, including the specific times of day and days of the week when overcrowding occurs; and (iii) basing new Rapid services on demand or projected demand in line with Treasury’s population projections;”. Paper: Mr Steel presented the following paper: Canberra Liberals—ACT Government planning to invest in electric buses despite serious reliability problems—Copy of social media post, dated 9 October 2019. Debate continued.

    Agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded. Some of its wording is in the final text.

  6. Proposed changeAndrew BraddockGreens · Crossbench26 March 2026

    Grouped by key words as: added a new call or point.

    The exact wording of this change

    Add: “(5) further calls on the Government to make serious considerations on how it can provide the funds for expanding the bus fleet to the extent needed to meet the expectations of the Canberra community in the 2026-2027 budget and in future budget cycles”.

    Agreed on the voices. No individual votes were recorded. Its wording is in the final text.

  7. What the Assembly decidedAgreed

    Decided on the voices: no individual votes were recorded, so this doesn’t show that every MLA agreed.

    Final agreed wording, with changes marked

    That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) light rail, Rapid and local bus services are all integral parts of the public transportation network of CanberraSteel; (b) the Network 2026 changes, caused by the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works, have resulted in a serious reduction to buses along key north-south routes such as the R2, R3, R4 and R5; and (c) ACT Labor’s Transport Plan stated that “ACT Labor will also increase the frequency of existing Rapid Services”; (2) further notes that: (a) since the discontinuation of the Xpresso services, many growing areas of Canberra have been left without a fast connection between Town Centres, particularly in Gungahlin and the Molonglo Valley; (b) ACT Labor previously committed to introducing an additional three Rapid services in this term of government: (i) a new Rapid service between Lanyon and the City to replace an existing peak bus service; (ii) a new Rapid service from Ginninderry, West Belconnen and other Belconnen suburbs through to the City; and (iii) a new Rapid service for the Molonglo Town CentreSteel; and (c) Network 2026, combined with the protracted MyWay+ saga, has damaged the public’s confidence in Canberra’s public transport network; (3) also notes that: (a) the supply and confidence agreement between the ACT Greens and ACT Labor commits to the following being delivered in the 11 th Assembly: (i) progressively increasing bus service frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays through the term starting in 2025; (ii) increasing bus frequency on weekends starting in 2025 (hourly) and making further improvements subject to future engagement with the workforce; and (iii) increasing frequency on key Rapid bus services and introducing new Rapid bus services before the end of the term; (b) the Assembly resolution of 5 December 2024 regarding bus frequency improvements called on the Government to provide progress reports on bus frequency improvements, including the introduction of new Rapid services, to the Assembly every six months until October 2028; and (c) the Assembly resolution of 16 September 2025 regarding South Canberra buses called on the Government to, amongst other things, release a future bus network which outlines the proposed Rapid bus network, including interchanges between Rapid bus services and light rail, and connections between light rail and Rapid and local bus services across Canberra’s south; and (4) calls on the Government to: (a) continue to progress the work needed to meet the Assembly resolutions of 5 December 2024 and 16 September 2025; (b) as part of this work, consider: (i) service gaps in the frequency of Rapid routes across the network; (ii) instances of overcrowding on Rapid routes and the light rail, including the specific times of day and days of the week when overcrowding occurs; (iii) basing new Rapid services on demand or projected demand in line with Treasury’s population projections; (c) table an infrastructure plan identifying existing and proposed bus priority measures to be implemented along Rapid routes by the last sitting day of 2026; (d) undertake community consultation on the preferred routes for the three new Rapid services outlined at paragraph (2)(b) and update the Assembly on the outcomes in the bus frequency updates tabled from March 2027 onwards; and (e) include a refresh of the light rail network plan as part of the new integrated Planning and Transport Strategy; (f) review public transportBraddock connecting Gungahlin Town Centre with Woden Town Centre, Fyshwick commercial areas, Brindabella Business Park and the Canberra Airport; (5) further calls on the Government to make serious considerations on how it can provide the funds for expanding the bus fleet to the extent needed to meet the expectations of the Canberra community in the 2026-2027 budget and in future budget cyclesBraddock.

    Original and final wording compared

    That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) [put in: light rail,]Rapid [taken out: buses][put in: and local bus services]are [taken out: an][put in: all]integral [taken out: part][put in: parts]of the public transportation network of Canberra; (b) the Network 2026 changes, caused by the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works, have resulted in a serious reduction to buses along key north-south routes such as the R2, R3, R4 and R5; and (c) ACT Labor’s Transport Plan stated that “ACT Labor will also increase the frequency of existing Rapid Services”; (2) further notes that: (a) since the discontinuation of the Xpresso services, many growing areas of Canberra have been left without a fast connection between Town Centres, particularly in Gungahlin and the Molonglo Valley; (b) ACT Labor previously committed to introducing an additional three Rapid services in this term of government: [put in: (i) a new Rapid service between Lanyon]and [put in: the City to replace an existing peak bus service; (ii) a new Rapid service from Ginninderry, West Belconnen and other Belconnen suburbs through to the City; and (iii) a new Rapid service for the Molonglo Town Centre; and](c) Network 2026, combined with the protracted MyWay+ saga, has damaged the public’s confidence in Canberra’s public transport network; [taken out: and](3) [taken out: calls][put in: also notes that: (a) the supply and confidence agreement between the ACT Greens and ACT Labor commits to the following being delivered in the 11 th Assembly: (i) progressively increasing bus service frequency to every 20 minutes]on [put in: weekdays through]the [put in: term starting in 2025; (ii) increasing bus frequency on weekends starting in 2025 (hourly) and making further improvements subject to future engagement with the workforce; and (iii) increasing frequency on key Rapid bus services and introducing new Rapid bus services before the end of the term; (b) the Assembly resolution of 5 December 2024 regarding bus frequency improvements called on the]Government to [taken out: (a) undertake a detailed review][put in: provide progress reports on bus frequency improvements, including the introduction]of [put in: new Rapid services, to]the [taken out: existing][put in: Assembly every six months until October 2028; and (c) the Assembly resolution of 16 September 2025 regarding South Canberra buses called on the Government to, amongst other things, release a future bus network which outlines the proposed]Rapid bus network, including [taken out: all][put in: interchanges between]Rapid bus [taken out: routes;][put in: services and light rail, and connections between light rail and Rapid and local bus services across Canberra’s south; and (4) calls on the Government to: (a) continue to progress the work needed to meet the Assembly resolutions of 5 December 2024 and 16 September 2025;](b) as part of this [taken out: review, identify:][put in: work, consider:](i) service gaps in the frequency of Rapid routes across the network; (ii) instances of overcrowding on Rapid routes [taken out: including the specific times of day]and [taken out: days of]the [taken out: week when overcrowding occurs; (iii) instances of low patronage on Rapid routes,][put in: light rail,]including the specific times of day and days of the week when [taken out: low patronage][put in: overcrowding]occurs; [taken out: and (iv) potential][put in: (iii) basing]new Rapid [taken out: routes based][put in: services]on demand or projected demand in line with Treasury’s population projections; (c) [taken out: outline plans for the introduction of any new][put in: table an infrastructure plan identifying existing and proposed bus priority measures to be implemented along]Rapid routes [taken out: based on demonstrated demand or projected demand, including demand projections aligned with population forecasts produced]by [taken out: Treasury;][put in: the last sitting day of 2026;](d) [taken out: investigate establishing][put in: undertake community consultation on the preferred routes for the three]new [put in: Rapid services outlined at paragraph (2)(b) and update the Assembly on the outcomes in the]bus [taken out: routes][put in: frequency updates tabled from March 2027 onwards; and (e) include a refresh of the light rail network plan as part of the new integrated Planning and Transport Strategy; (f) review public transport]connecting Gungahlin Town Centre with [taken out: (i)]Woden Town Centre, [taken out: (ii)]Fyshwick commercial [taken out: Area; (iii)][put in: areas,]Brindabella Business Park and [taken out: (iv)]the Canberra Airport; [taken out: (e)][put in: (5) further calls on the Government to make serious considerations on how it can]provide [taken out: an infrastructure plan identifying existing and proposed][put in: the funds for expanding the]bus [taken out: priority measures to be implemented along Rapid routes][put in: fleet]to [taken out: improve travel times for buses; and (f) commit][put in: the extent needed]to [taken out: tabling][put in: meet]the [taken out: results][put in: expectations]of [taken out: this review][put in: the Canberra community]in the [taken out: Assembly by 24 September 2026.][put in: 2026-2027 budget and in future budget cycles.]

    Compared word by word by computer, ignoring punctuation. It shows what differs, not which change made each difference; the steps above show that.

Check the official record

  • Minutes of Proceedings No 55, 26 March 2026, item 12

Find these on the Assembly’s chamber documents page. Wording is quoted from the Minutes, © ACT Legislative Assembly, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Our reading is automatic and may contain errors; agreeing to a motion is not the same as doing what it asks. Report a problem

Rapid bus services review · Public Matter