Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Canberra will welcome more electric buses plus improved safety measures for bus drivers and commuters.
In brief:
- The 2025–26 ACT Budget invests in the city’s public transport system.
- Thirty new electric buses will be added to Canberra’s bus fleet, and more services added.
- There will be new measures to improve the safety of bus drivers and commuters.
2025–26 ACT Budget funding will see more electric buses added to the city’s public transport network.
The ACT Government will also invest in measures to improve safety for bus drivers and commuters.
Strengthening Canberra’s public transport network
The Budget will fund the addition of 30 new battery electric buses.
These will join the city’s growing public transport network. This now includes Australia’s largest purpose-built zero-emissions bus depot in Woden.
The new buses are part of the ACT Government’s plan for a truly integrated transport system.
The plan sees light rail forming the spine of the city with electric buses connecting the suburbs.
More Sunday bus services
The Budget sets the foundation for bus service changes on Sundays.
Funding will support more frequent Sunday services, increasing public transport options for Canberrans.
This will begin during Term 3 this year.
This is part of the ACT Government’s broader plan to deliver more public transport services more often, including:
- 20-minute local services
- future new Rapid services.
Making bus travel safer for all
The Budget includes funding for measures to improve safety on ACT buses. This will include:
- a dedicated bus safety team with new frontline staff
- expanded training for bus drivers
- upgraded cabin protection screens across the Transport Canberra bus fleet.
This supports practical measures to improve safety. It also recognises and supports bus drivers’ important role in the community.
Extra transit enforcement and network officers will be deployed across the bus network.
This will increase the visibility of staff and help deter violence and anti-social behaviour.
Expanded specialist de-escalation training will help empower bus drivers.
The addition of upgraded protective screens in all buses will provide a better physical barrier for drivers. This will help protect them from abuse or assault.
Fare compliance activities will be similar to those in place on light rail.
This commitment will help ensure a better, safer public transport system, with more services, more often.
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