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Public transport in Canberra is provided by bus (for travel within the city), while rail, air, and long-distance coach services operate for travel beyond Canberra.
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Transport Canberra
In October 2015, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr announced the formation of Transport Canberra from 1 July 2016. It combined the Public Transport Division with the light rail planning department, the Capital Metro Agency. Transport Canberra manage all public transport operations within the Australian Capital Territory.
Ticketing
Canberra does not have an integrated ticketing system, although in 2011 ACTION introduced the MyWay smartcard system.
ACTION
The largest public transport operator is the ACT Government owned ACTION. In July 1926 the Federal Capital Commission commenced operating bus services in Canberra. With the opening of Parliament House in May 1927 and the associated relocation of Commonwealth Government Departments to Canberra, the frequency of service offered by the Canberra City Omnibus Service increased as the population of the new city grew.
During the early 1950s bus services were expanded to Narrabundah, Yarralumla and O'Connor. These routes were extended further in the late 1950s with the development of Dickson and Campbell.
In August 1963 the first Woden Valley services were introduced. Similar early services were provided for other areas. From 1961 the new Russell Offices complex demanded a growing number of additional peak services, including feeders from the City. The Canberra fleet grew from 25 buses in 1942 to over 90 in 1966.
In March 1968 a reformed bus network was introduced. This involved new bus timetables and driver schedules, based on regular services on all routes throughout the day with synchronised movements through the main centres. In February 1977, a new system was unveiled and the operation renamed Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION).
Today ACTION operates routes throughout the Australian Capital Territory with a fleet of about 420 buses.
ACTION began operating regular bus services to Canberra Airport's passenger terminal from the city on 20 March 2017. This service provides 64 services each week day, 26 services on a Saturday and 24 on Sundays between the terminal and the city.
Qcity Transit
Qcity Transit operates bus services from the neighbouring city of Queanbeyan into Canberra City. As well as these services it also has services that can run to the town of Yass It is owned by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge, who purchased the business in August 2012.
Qcity Transit is permitted to carry passengers within the Australian Capital Territory, with the previous restriction being lifted in June 2012.
Transborder Express
Transborder Express operates weekday services between Canberra and Yass via Hall and Murrumbateman. It is a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Cabcharge and operates under the same management as Qcity Transit.
Airport Express
Royale Limousines operate the Canberra Airport shuttle service with regular daytime services operating seven days a week.
Coach
Canberra is serviced by a number of long distance coach operators.
Heavy
Walter Burley Griffin's masterplan for Canberra included a railway that was to run from Queanbeyan to the current Canberra railway station in Kingston then north along the causeway and over the Molonglo River to Russell, along Amaroo Street to Civic and then north out of the city along Lonsdale and Ijong Streets. But aside from the current section, the only other part constructed was the line as far as Civic, albeit to temporary standards to carry construction materials, this was removed in 1940.
Canberra has been serviced by trains from Sydney since March 1927 with the Federal City Express, Canberra Monaro Express, Southern Highlands Express and Canberra Express all having provided this link, the latter being operated by an XPT from August 1983 until February 1990. An overnight service was provided with a carriage detached from the Cooma Mail at Queanbeyan. From April 1962 until March 1975 a through carriage was detached from the Spirit of Progress at Goulburn providing a connection with Melbourne.
Today Canberra is serviced by three daily NSW TrainLink Xplorer services to Sydney.
Light
A light rail project serving Canberra's northern suburbs is under construction. It will operate between Gungahlin Town Centre and Canberra City, travelling along Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue.
High speed
Canberra has been on the map of various high-speed rail proposals since 1984. The last serious attempt with government backing was terminated in December 2000.
Air
Canberra is serviced by Qantas, QantasLink and Virgin Australia with daily services to Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Albury and Newcastle. In September 2016, Singapore Airlines commenced operating international flights to Singapore and Wellington.