Canberra’s light rail is due to start taking passengers this Saturday and Transport Canberra is looking forward to welcoming Canberrans aboard this world class addition to our public transport network.
Following Thursday’s first loop, Saturday’s community launch event has been carefully planned to ensure the large numbers of people expected to attend the event are safe as they wait to ride light rail. The ACT Government also wants Canberrans to have a fun day out with their families as we celebrate this milestone for our city.
The ACT Government will put in place a number of security, traffic management and infrastructure measures to ensure the event is safe for the community. There may be waits, but live music and roving entertainment at either end of the line will keep Canberrans entertained.
Community Launch of Light Rail – Saturday 20 April
Light rail will start this Saturday 20 April, with a community launch event to run from 9am to 4pm in the City and Gungahlin.
Light rail services will run for free all weekend, with increased frequencies on Saturday and timetabled services from then on.
Passengers riding the light rail will have to get off the light rail at either the Gungahlin or City terminus to give people waiting there a chance to board.
In the City and Gungahlin there will be entertainment for people to enjoy while they wait at either end, including bands, street performers and activities for the kids such as face painting.
To make more room for passengers, bikes won’t be allowed on board on launch day, but wheelchairs and prams are welcome as normal.
Support our charity partner through a gold-coin donation or by visiting their barbecue in the city.
Leave the car at home and take advantage of free buses across the network to get you to and from the event or one of the many Park and Ride options available including at GIO Stadium, CIT Bruce and the Treasury Building in Parkes. The GIO park and ride will run buses to both Gungahlin and Civic, so you can take the bus to one terminus, ride the light rail one way and get the bus back to your car. Other Park and Rides will connect to the ordinary Transport Canberra bus network.
Traffic controllers will be on site to guide motorists, cyclists and pedestrians through the area and there will be barriers as well as warning and detour signs to alert people to the road closures and changed traffic conditions.
Light rail will also run for free when the new network launches on Monday 29 April and there’ll be no charge for public transport on Easter Sunday 21 April, so there are plenty of opportunities to ride light rail.
Share your photos on social media using #cbrlightrail.
Light Rail – making Canberra better connected
Canberra’s light rail is due to start taking passengers this Saturday and Transport Canberra is looking forward to welcoming Canberrans aboard this world class addition to our public transport network.
After this weekend’s launch, light rail will run in parallel to the current network for a week before the new public transport network kicks off with a month of free travel for anyone with a MyWay card from Monday 29 April.
“This is the biggest change to public transport since our city was founded. It will make Canberra better connected and we want Canberrans to try it out, so we’re offering a month’s free travel across buses and light rail from Monday 29 April,” Minister for Transport Meegan Fitzharris said.
“Under the new network, light rail will integrate seamlessly with buses – one ticket, one fare, one network. The only difference is unlike buses you’ll need to tap your MyWay card against the readers on the platform before you board and after you get off light rail, rather than tapping on board.”
Across the transport network, changes will be supported by customer service staff at interchanges and along the light rail route. The new vehicles themselves are modern, clean and quiet, which means a comfortable journey for all.
“You can plan your trip across the network with the new , or if you’re using light rail without a bus transfer, just turn up and go. Light rail will come every few minutes during peak times. At other times of the day you’ll never wait more than 15 minutes for a ride.
“There’s easy access for prams and wheelchairs and after launch day you’ll be able to bring your bike with you on light rail.”
Minister Fitzharris said additional light rail features will be phased in over the coming weeks. This means the finishing touches to landscaping and road surfaces will continue, final permanent balustrades will be installed at intersections and any other minor issues that need work will be fixed by Canberra Metro at no cost to the Territory.
“The passenger experience will keep getting better as drivers get used to taking passengers and journey times and frequency continue to improve,” said Minister Fitzharris.
