The federal government has committed $50 million to support the design of an extension to Canberra's light rail network to Woden, signalling strong backing for the project. The Federal Infrastructure Minister has also criticized the ACT opposition's plan to cancel the extension, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing Canberra's public transport infrastructure.
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00:00From empty lot to future light rail stop, the Commonwealth is getting behind the ACT
00:09Government's vision.
00:10As part of the upcoming budget, we are investing $50 million into the planning of light rail
00:16stage 2B.
00:19This will create an easier connection between the city and the lake.
00:23While it's already chipped in for stage 2A to Commonwealth Park, it's the first time
00:27they've pledged funding for the rest of the route to Woden.
00:31The ACT Government will use the money for planning as it seeks approvals and continues
00:36community consultation.
00:38To get an understanding about how we can maximise the benefits for the community, how they're
00:43going to visualise going down to the stops, do they need extra active travel connections
00:47to the stops.
00:48We want to make sure that this is really accessible for people of all abilities to use.
00:53To make sure we've got a really clear-eyed view about what the costs are going to be.
00:58We still, we still have no understanding about the true cost of the entire project.
01:04The opposition's estimate of a $4 billion price tag is one reason it's pledged to ACT
01:09stage 2B if elected in favour of more buses.
01:13It's pretty clear that only Labor cares about public transport, cares about making sure
01:18we actually have those transport routes.
01:21We're getting on with the job of building Canberra.
01:23The Liberals just, frankly, are the most negative I've ever seen.
01:26It is absolutely clear that Ms King has not even bothered to look at what we have planned.
01:32Advocates who are paying close attention aren't satisfied with either major party's offering.
01:38We've seen recently the Greens step up and match the Liberals' commitment to run buses
01:41frequently seven days a week.
01:43We think it's time that ACT and Labor stepped up and offered to provide more frequent bus
01:47services in addition to their plans for mass transit.
01:49The public transport debate will likely roll on through to the October election.