As you may be aware, Transport Canberra has proposed a new bus network for schools, as well as changes to other regular services.
The school services planned as part of this new network have been designed based on a new School Bus Policy. This draft policy relates to the provision of school bus services as part of Canberra’s broader public transport network, view the ACT Government draft School Bus Policy here.
The proposed bus network will greatly reduce the current number of ACTION buses to and from Merici College and will come into effect in January 2019. Our current number of buses in the morning is 9 which will be reduced to 4 in 2019; We currently have 13 afternoon buses but this too will be reduced to 4 under the proposed changes.
Under the proposed changes, all existing ACTION bus runs to/from Merici College will be abolished. These are Routes 414, 425, 431, 574, 654, 813, 849, 850, 883, 405, 472, 566, 570, 575, 577, 624, 810, 819, 838, 875, 885, 890.
New ACTION school bus routes proposed for 2019 are: 1210 and 1213 to provide access to and from Dickson, Lyneham, Crace, Palmerston, Giralang, O’Conner and Belconnen. School routes 1211 and 1212 provide access to and from Dickson, Giralang, Nicholls, Ngunnawal, Lyneham, Franklin, Harrison, Casey and Gungahlin. Students will be required to connect to these bus routes at Belconnen Bus Stations, Gungahlin Place, Dickson Interchange and City Interchange. There are no designated ACTION buses to/from South Canberra to the College. Please click here proposed bus routes and map, view the proposed bus route and map for Merici College in 2019 here
A public consultation phase has commenced and will conclude on 12 August 2018. We urge our families to share your views on the proposed new Bus Network and complete the survey at https://yoursay.act.gov.au/rapid-bus-network and attend a Regional Roadshow session at one of six locations around Canberra. You can also email Transport Canberra with your views.
We are concerned about the proposed changes and will be expressing our views to Transport Canberra that these changes are significantly affecting all or most schools in Canberra. We will continue to update you on any new developments or further information that is forthcoming.
Mrs Loretta Wholley
Principal
