How can the transport system best support (1) the ACT economy; (2) the environment; and (3) a socially inclusive community?

People avoid buses because buses don't provide flexibility. For instance on some days you need to drop the children to school, get to the doctor, go to Fyshwick and then come home. It takes much too long on buses. That's where I think buses should be integrated with the taxi system. I think each ten ride ticket on the bus should entitle you to $5 of taxi fares, once your ten ride ticket is stamped as used by the bus. That way people can supplement their bus rides with taxi rides and avoid taking their cars more often. It also rewards those who save the environment by taking the bus.

I also think there should be more flexi buses where a computer system allows buses to pick up a range of people and drop them to their homes along the way. This is important for shopping where people need to get right to their doors with lots of bags of shopping. Taxis are not very good with shopping as they arrive after the ice cream has melted and some taxi drivers are rude and impatient. Others are nice however.

Buses could help the environment by carrying slogans like "This bus carries enviro ACTION figures" with a picture of passengers on the bus, or "Take ACTION to help our environment" with a picture of clear air and lovely mountains.

It's the connections that are so inconvenient on public transport so it's good to have long sweeps of bus trips. I really used to like it when the bus from Palmerston usually went past the CIT where I work and many Gungahlin students study and on to Kingston where my son works. Getting off the bus in the cold or heat and waiting for the next connection is not fun. That is why light rail is not a good idea. It needs more connections and is inflexible as the population changes.

1.Attract more commuters with lower travel fares.

2.Lightrail options - Buses not to charge bike riders.

3.More services at night, especially the weekend. With more transport options there is possibly less drink driving which is safer for the commnunity.

You can't just isolate "transport" like this to answer these questions. You have to look at how and where people live in order to understand what they do. So for example, you need to be serious about increasing the urban density of Canberra, particularly inner Canberra and along major transport routes. People living in walking distance to shops, public transport and amenities will naturally start walking more, driving less, living "in" their local neighbourhood more--increase these people and you will get your answer to number 2 and number 3. Local businesses will benefit, people can put their petrol money into other things, and there you have your answer to number 1.

We need more transport options at night. Currently it is almost impossible to stay for a drink after work or meet friends and still get home promptly. Hence people drive to work just so they can get home if they decide to stay a bit longer after work.

There should be more pay parking to encourage people out of their cars. Are current pay parking rates even as much as the market value of the land it is taking? This land could then be used as higher density housing or commerce.

More cycle facilities (racks) scattered around urban centres. A more…

LIGHT RAIL! Between the town centres, then buses can target the suburbs a little more. Do something now before Canberra gets bigger. Integrate with the Bus system.

Weekend/night services (say 1AM) that allow you to have a night out and then get home quickly and easily.

GPS/Real time information

Cycling "advantages" such as BIKE 'n' RIDE (Pre July 09), rebates

All taxi's/buses are required to run gas (this to an extent has been implemented already yeah?)

Cheaper taxi's.

The already mentioned fast train between here and Sydney also should be considered long term.

Transport should move people and goods effectively between their source and destination. In an ideal world most people live close to their work but it doesn't work out that way.

We shouldn't be trying to also move large lumps of metal & rubber for every person, plus providing at mostly zero cost large swathes of useful land at which the lumps can sit for hours at a time, unless absolutely necessary.

By aiming for this the economy benefits by permitting the easier movement of goods on less congested roads, land is put to better use, and the amount of energy expended per more…

1) the ACT economy

* Get people to work on time e.g. to start work before 9.00 a.m. on Sundays

* Encourage free/lower cost parking for short parking stays e.g. shopping where I need to carry stuff. This way the less mobile have a chance to access shops.

* Use rail to bring items in, not big trucks to save on roads.

* High-speed links interstate. Maintain good routes to the ports (air and rail). I would like one to Jervis Bay, ACT but realise that this is only wishful thinking.

2) the environment

* help those living a long way from there workplace by having more…

For a socially inclusive society have stops near cultural, recreational and educational entries (e.g. Fyshwick CIT, not just universities) as lack of access to education is exclusive.

Unlike the 2009 map, the 2031 map <http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/158479/09370_Strategic_Plan_Map_2032_services.pdf> does not link the bus/other transport to the train station in Kingston. With a view to encouraging tourists, reduce CO2-e emissions and encourage social inclusion, surely this rail port will need to have very close access to public transport so that train/coach users can connect to affordable local public transport users, with the smallest distance for moving their luggage please.