The ACT Government is building a temporary bus interchange at Woden and moving to a new bus timetable as work begins on major infrastructure projects in Woden and the city centre, including the new CIT Woden campus, raising London Circuit, and light rail – some of the biggest infrastructure projects in Canberra’s history.

“These changes to bus infrastructure and services will support this period of construction,” said Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport.

Lendlease Building, the construction company contracted for the campus, has begun building the temporary public transport interchange in Woden. The old interchange will be demolished to make way for the new CIT campus.

• New CIT Woden design features revealed (23 August)
• ACT government signs contract for Woden CIT campus (26 May)
• Lendlease selected to build new Woden CIT campus (4 May)

The interchange will be constructed on the bus layovers to the east of the Matilda Street carpark. To keep commuters safe, it will separate buses and passengers from the construction zone.

Buses will operate out of the existing Woden bus interchange until the temporary interchange is ready for use.

The temporary bus interchange will then allow bus operations to continue until the new light rail-ready public transport interchange is complete, Mr Steel said.

Most of the new interchange will be operational in 2024, and the final stops will come online in 2025 with the new CIT campus.

Infrastructure at the temporary interchange includes:

•           Temporary bus shelters and platforms

•           Secure CCTV monitoring equipment and Public Announcement speakers

•           Parking for Transport Canberra Operations vehicles

•           Storage space for Transport Canberra Operations emergency traffic management equipment

But Canberra Liberals Mark Parton MLA, shadow minister for transport, said: “For years this Labor-Greens Government has put customers last when it comes to public transport decisions, and this is another classic example. I’d love to know how long this temporary arrangement will be in place.”

New bus timetables next year

Bus timetables are also being updated for next year, replacing the current interim timetable that has been in place during the peak of COVID-19. The new timetable will be released before Term One next year. The full bus fleet and all available staff will be used, Mr Steel said.

Public transport changes from Term One 2023:

•           Adjustments to Belconnen routes to downgrade Fraser West terminus.

•           Adjustments to Gungahlin routes to service schools and provide better access to Amaroo shops.

•           Relocate pick up and set down from Brierly Street Cooleman Court to the main stops on Parkinson Street.

•           Refine school services based on school and community feedback.

•           Reduce bus layovers at Denman Prospect.

•           Extend Route 31 into Lawson; U-turn at the roundabout until the Stockman Ave extension is completed.

•           Adjustments to account for use of Turner bus layover.

•           Adjustments to the routing of all peak services that travel over Commonwealth Ave bridge to utilise the new Vernon Circle signals and Constitution Avenue.

•           Relocate bus services to new platforms in the temporary Woden Interchange.

•           Adjust routes coming into the Woden Interchange to accommodate new platforms.

But Mr Parton said: “For many months, we’ve been calling upon the government to re-institute the full bus timetable. I won’t celebrate until I actually see it happen.”

“These measures are just part of the extensive actions we are taking to enable us to build world-class education and public transport infrastructure and services for our growing city,” Mr Steel said.

“Light rail, the new Woden transport interchange, and CIT campus are ‘game changers’ for Woden’s regeneration, attracting people to study, work, and live in Woden; use public transport; access local shops, restaurants, and services; and meet up with others in new public plazas and green spaces.”

Mr Parton’s comment: “We still don’t know when the tram is arriving in Woden, or how much it’s going to cost.”

For more information on these projects, visit: www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

To stay up to date with public transport information, visit: www.transport.act.gov.au.