Walking in Canberra

Yes the ‘Canberra Transport Plan’ was due in the first quarter of 2010, ie six months ago. Ive been advised that a draft has been in the CM’s in tray for some months. Also that the ‘Canberra Talks 2030’ program of ‘consultation’, also being run out of the CM’s office, wants to do more ‘consultation’ on transport matters before the ‘Canberra Transport Plan’ is released.

Although Mr Walker proclaims transport mode agnosticism, he is being paid by a pro-bus department, in a city where public transport policy is run out of a bus company. What do you think would happen to future work for his firm if he came out and said, replace buses with light rail on the rapid route where the demand warrants this modal change.

I have heard the TAMS policy people report on their long term plans based on the ‘Canberra Transport Plan’. They only refer to buses. One wonders why they engage in public/community consultation at all.

Damien Haas
Chair, ACT Light Rail

Not to mention the ridiculously-sized footpaths here in places that are not right in the middle of a shopping precinct. I don’t want to have to know someone “intimately” if I want to walk side-by-side on a footpath with them.

Looks like Mr Walker has been busy here in Canberra….from his blog (sorry, I don’t know how to do links etc…) –

long term transit plans: asking the real questions

“two years I’ve been working on a Strategic Public Transport Network Plan for Australia’s national capital, Canberra…the most important single idea in the plan (as in much of my long-term planning work) is the Frequent Network, which consists of services that will run every 15 minutes or better all day, every day of the week.”

And goes on to say:

“The plan is intentionally silent on questions of bus vs. rail. The red lines on this map could eventually be light rail, and the orange lines could even be trams (streetcars). The crucial point is that long-term planning must proceed without waiting for those decisions.”

So, it seems we have Mr Walker to thank for the REDEX buses. Well, I for one would like to thank him for his forward thinking… its about time Canberra woke up to frequent rapid public transport! Thank you Mr Walker!

Canberra has always tried to be a friend to China, maybe we’re just trying to catch up.

http://www.chinahush.com/2010/09/17/pedestrian-crossing-runs-through-grass-and-trees-walkway-for-the-blind-leads-into-river/

Walking? What, was his car broken down or something?

Well, with his surname I wouldn’t expect him to drive a car.

This sounds like a job for our transport minister.

Really it’s good that he walked, but how much of need is there for this particular path ?

And did he get mugged or tread on a syringe ? In the end it’s entry level parkour

His entry on pedestrian malls is quite interesting, http://www.humantransit.org/2010/09/on-pedestrian-malls-look-to-australia.html

They’re probably a terrorist.