ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher recently launched the first of 20 new accessible, articulated, large-capacity and environmentally friendly buses for the ACTION fleet.
“Between now and March 2013, twenty easy access articulated buses will be progressively delivered replacing ACTION’s ageing articulated fleet, some of which are now up to 24 years old.” Chief Minister Gallagher said.
Chief Minister Gallagher pointed that new buses will assist in meeting demand on ACTION’s most highly patronised routes, such as the Blue and Red Rapid services.
The Chief Minister went on to explain that since the bus replacement program began in January 2004, 191 new buses have been added to ACTION’s fleet, replacing older non-DDA compliant buses. The 20 new articulated buses have been funded as part of the $75 million allocated in and since the 2008-2009 ACT Budget. The 2012-2013 ACT Budget provides a further $48.527 million to replace 90 buses over the next five financial years.