ACTION

A.C.T Internal Omnibus Network
ACTION
'Mode'	Omnibus
'Type'	Government owned ACT Government
'Founded'	19 July 1926 'Trading name change to ACTION' 14 February 1977
'Area Served'	Canberra City Tuggeranong Woden/Weston Creek Belconnen Gungahlin
'Corporate Colours'	Orange and blue
'Slogan'	Take it easy, Take ACTION
'Depots'	Belconnen Tuggeranong
'URL'	[1]

The 'Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network', more commonly known by the acronym 'ACTION', is a public transportation company in Canberra, Australia. It is owned and operated by the ACT government.
The first government bus services available to the general public appeared in 1926, running from Eastlake to Ainslie. The first major expansion of public bus routes occurred in the 1950s. Canberra's bus service has borne many names since its founding in the late 1920s, finally settling on ACTION on February 14 1977.

Contents

Buses

Services

Ticketing and Fares

Public Infrastructure

Depots and Headquarters

See also

External links

Buses

ACTION's corporate colours are orange and blue, and its buses are traditionally painted orange with blue and white trim. The typical orange bus is a familiar sight in Canberra. The newer Irisbus Agoralines and Scania L94UB's adopted a new livery of white, green and orange. The new buses are comparatively environmentally friendly (hence "green"), more accessible to disabled patrons, and air conditioned. All new Scania and Irisbus buses have been fitted with bike racks for a program called Bike 'n Ride. A number of ACTION buses are painted into special liverage to promote ACTION and for paid advertisements.
ACTION's fleet comprises 378 buses, divided into the following types: (Source: http://actbus.bur.st/fleet_action.html)

★ Renault PR100.2 (Ansair "MkI", rigid) - 91

★ Renault PR180.2 (Ansair "MkI", articulated) - 25

★ Renault PR100.2 (Ansair "MkII", rigid) - 113

★ Renault PR180.2 (Ansair "MkII", articulated) - 7

★ Renault PR100.3 (Austral/Denning "Metro", rigid) - 42 (7 are wheelchair accessible)

★ Dennis Dart SLF (Wright "Crusader", medium rigid) - 25 (all wheelchair accessible)

★ Irisbus Agoraline (Custom Coaches "CB60", rigid) - 20 (all wheelchair accessible)

★ Scania L94UB (Custom Coaches "CB60", rigid) - 53 (all wheelchair accessible, CNG powered)
ACTION also operates a single MACK Tow Truck which is used when a bus breaks down and cannot be repaired on the spot.

Services

ACTION offer many different types of services, from Route to Express and School services.
The current Network was introduced in December 2006 and thusly named 'Network 06'. The network will change again in 2008, after much complaint from ACT Citizens regarding route timings, weekend route changes and other problems regarding intertown servces.

★ 'Route Services'
Route services are normal services which run between two to three interchanges via suburban streets. During the day (And with some routes on Evenings and Weekends), these services are recognised by a two number route number (The leading number identifies the region the route is travelling in). On Evenings and weekends, bus services change to Area style services with a 3 number route number in the 9
★
★ range. At times one route can replace 2-3 normal routes, said to cut running costs.

★ 'Intertown'
First introduced as a service between Woden, City and Belconnen Bus Stations, the 333 was extended to Tuggeranong Bus Station when it opened. In Network 1998, the 333 was replaced with 312, 313, 314, 315, 316 and 317 where these services serve the four Interchanges and suburbs at either end. Today, the services are the following:
'100' - Any combination of services between 'Woden, City, Belconnen'
'116' - 'Woden, City, Belconnen,' Weetangera, Hawker, Holt, Kippax
'117' - 'Woden, City, Belconnen,' Scullin, Florey, Latham, Holt, Kippax
'300' - 'Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen' (Via Erindale on Evenings/Weekends)
'312' - Theodore, Isabella Plains, 'Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen,' Melba, Spence
'313' - Banks, Bonython, 'Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen,' Scullin, Charnwood, Fraser
'314' - Lanyon, Gordon, 'Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen,' Florey, Flynn, Fraser
'315' - Theodore, Isabella Plains, 'Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen,' Florey, Evatt, Spence
Intertown Services travel via main roads only to create a fast service between the four Interchanges. Outside of the Intertown route, the services turn into route services and run through suburban streets.

★ 'Xpresso'
Xpresso services are routes which operate during peak hours to provide the suburbs with direct links to the Town Centres, The City Centre and Parliamentary Triangle. These services are designed so passengers don't need to transfer at local interchanges to get to and from work.
Xpresso services are numbered 7
★
★ . The exception to this is the 170, which is classed as an Xpresso Route and is the only such route not numbered in the 700's.
'Current Xpresso Services'
'170' - Monash, Gowrie, Fadden, Wanniassa, 'Woden Interchange, City Interchange,' City West
'701' - Spence, Melba, Evatt, Dickson, 'City Interchange,' Reid, Campbell, Parkes, Barton
'702' - Fraser, Charnwood, Latham, Dickson, 'City Interchange,' Reid, Campbell, Parkes, Barton
'703' - Fraser, Dunlop, Macgregor, Kippax, Higgins, Hawker, 'City Interchange,' Reid, Campbell, Parkes, Barton
'705' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' ''Tuggeranong Parkway,'' 'Belconnen Interchange'
'720' - Farrer, Mawson, Phillip, Garren, Commonwealth Ave, 'City Interchange'
'729' - Coolemon Court, Rivett, Duffy, Holder, 'City Interchange'
'749' - 'Belconnen Interchange', Aranda, Cook, ''Tuggeranong Parkway'', Chifley, Phillip, 'Woden Interchange'
'768' - Theodore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, Chisholm, ''Monaro Highway'', Kingston, Russell, 'City Interchange', City West
'769' - Theodore, Calwell, Richardson, Gilmore, ''Monaro Highway'', Kingston, Russell, 'City Interchange', City West
'785' - Lanyon, Banks, Conder, ''Tuggeranong Parkway, Parkes Way'', City West, 'City Interchange', ActewAGL House
'787' - Lanyon, Banks, Gordon, ''Tuggeranong Parkway, Parkes Way,'' City West, 'City Interchange', ActewAGL House
'788' - Gordon, Banks, Lanyon, ''Monaro Highway,'' Kingston, Barton, Russell, 'City Interchange', City West

★ 'Commuter Express'
There are also some services which operate in the same capacity as Xpresso services but not officially classed as Xpresso. These services are numbered in 1
★
★ and 2
★
★ where
★
★ represents the two number's of the normal route service. A 1
★
★ /2
★
★ is just the normal route service with an addition at its terminating interchange to the City, normally via Russell, Barton and Reid. The exception to this is the 170, which is classed as an Xpresso Route and is the only such route not numbered in the 700's.
'Current Commuter Express Services'
'126' - Duffy, Chapman, Cooleman Court,' Woden Interchange', ''Commonwealth Avenue,'' 'City Interchange,' City West
'156' - 'Belconnen Interchange', McKeller, Evatt, Gungahlin Market Place, Palmerston, Mitchell, Braddon, 'City Interchange,' Reid, Russell, Barton
'160' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' Geenway, Kambah West, Woden Interchange, ''Commonwealth Avenue'', 'City Interchange,' City West
'161' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' Wanniassa, Kambah, ''Athllon Drive'', Phillip, 'Woden Interchange,' ''Commonwealth Avenue'', 'City Interchange,' City West
'162' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' Kambah East, Woden Interchange, ''Commonwealth Avenue'', 'City Interchange,' City West
'216' - Holt, Lathamm, Florey, 'Belconnen Interchange,' Bruce, ''Belconnen Way'', 'City Interchange,' Reid, Campbell, Russell, Barton
'217' - Kippax, Holt, Scullin, Hawker, Page, Belconnen Interchange, ''Belconnen Way'', 'City Interchange,' Reid, Campbell, Russell, Barton
'225' - Cooleman Court, Stirling, Duffy, Holder, Weston, 'Woden Interchange,' Barton, ''Kings Ave,'' Russell, Reid, 'City Interchange', City West
'227' - Cooleman Court, Rivett, Fisher, Waramanga, 'Woden Interchange', Barton, Kings Avenue, Russell, 'City Interchange,' City West
'243' - Macgregor, Charnwood, Kippax, 'Belconnen Interchange, City interchange,' Reid, Russell, Barton
'244' - Kippax, Holt, Higgins, Hawker, 'Belconnen Interchange, City Interchange,' Reid, Russell, Barton
'256' - 'Belconnen Interchange', Gungahlin Market Place, Palmerston, Mitchell, 'City Interchange,' Reid, Russell, Barton
'265' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' Isabella Plains, Chishokm, Gowrie, Fadden, Wanniassa, Phillip, 'Woden Interchange', Barton, Russell, Reid, 'City Interchange,' City West
'267' - 'Tuggeranong Interchange,' Calwell, Gilmore, Chisholm, Fadden, 'Woden Interchange,' Barton, Russell, Reid, 'City Interchange,' City West

★ 'School Services'
School services are provided by ACTION to Public and private Primary Schools, High Schools and Colleges. These are normally three number route numbers which rarely ever change. These services can only be accessed by School students and Teachers, and not used by the general public. They are not listed on timetables at bus stops.
Previous services include the Downtowner 'Tram' free bus service, Flexi Bus and Sightseeing Services (These still exist, but in very limited form).

Ticketing and Fares

ACTION uses a Wayfarer (U.K) system to produce on bus paper/one way fares, to validate pre purchased tickets and to validate on board purchased magnetic tickets on their services.
Fares come in three types, Adult, Concession and Student. Adult and concession fares can be used on any day, at any time. Student tickets however can only be used on School days, not on Public Holidays, weekends or School Holidays! All magnetic tickets include a 1.5 hour transfer period, this allows only one ride deduction on the ticket whether pre purchsed or purchased on board (When purchasing onboard, the passenger must ask for an Adult/Concession Transfer otherwise they will get a paper ticket).

★ 'Adult'
'Ticket Colour' - Blue
'Cash (Magnetic and Paper)' - $3.00
'Faresaver 10 (10 Rides)' - $22.00
'Weekly' - $24.60
'Monthly' - $82.00
'Daily' - $6.60
'Shoppers Off-Peak Daily' - $4.10

★ 'Concession'
'Ticket Colour' - Orange
'Cash (Magnetic and Paper)' - $1.50
'Faresaver 10 (10 Rides)' - $11.00
'Weekly' - $12.30
'Monthly' - $41.00
'Daily' - $3.30
'Pensioner Off Peak Daily' - $1.40

★ 'School Student'
'Ticket Colour' - Green
'Cash (Magnetic and Paper)' - $1.50
'Faresaver 10 (10 Rides)' - $8.20
'School Term' - $56.00
There are over 100 ticket agents in the ACT, these range from local shops to newsagencies (And small kiosks at Bus Interchanges). Faresaver 10, Weekly, Daily, Monthly and School term tickets are all available at these locations.
The Wayfarer validator machines are located onboard each bus (One machine per bus) at the entrance (position varies per bus type) and on portable validators at Woden and City Interchanges to allow pre validation and rear door boarding. Articulated buses used to have a Validator fitted on the rear door stairwell area, this was to allow rear door boarding on schoo servics. These have since been removed.
Due to numerous breakdowns of the Wayfarer machines (Stuck tickets and just tempremental playing up) the ACT Government is investigating a replacement program. The type is not stated, but it could range anywhere from Laser Jet printing to Smartcard technology.

Public Infrastructure

ACTION maintains a number of bus stops throughout Canberra. It also operates 4 major bus interchanges, which act as hubs for the different districts of Canberra. Some stops are laid out as termini, a few of which have a small facility for drivers needs.
There are four interchanges:

★ 'Woden Interchange' (opened 1982) serves Woden Valley and Weston Creek;

★ 'Belconnen Interchange' (opened 1979), serves the Belconnen and Gungahlin areas;

★ 'Civic Interchange' (opened 1982), in the City Centre, serves North and South Canberra;

★ 'Tuggeranong Interchange' (Opened 9 August 1991), which covers the town centre of Tuggeranong.
Civic bus interchange is unique because it allows delivery vehicles to access two thirds of the interchange and is built on the normal street outlay. The others only allow buses and emergency vehicles. Civic, Woden, and Tuggeranong interchanges are all built at street level however the Belconnen Interchange is above street level.
ACTION's bus stops vary in many different ways. Some have drivers amenities at Termni, some have shelters, some have seats, and some have nothing at all. Canberra has Concrete Bunker shelters which have been since 1975, and various other designs of shelters have been installed at many bustops around the ACT. Yellow and Black signs and Posts mark bus stops in the ACT. The bus stop posts have two different colours, Yellow and Black for normal services and White and Blue for School Services (Previously used for Commuter Express services).
In 2007, Adshel have been awarded a contract to install and maintain bus shelters with advertising in the ACT. Construction on the new shelters has commenced as at August 2007.
The current Minister for Transport has planned a reduced use of interchanges, instead planning to opt for a series of bus stations interconnecting local services. This plan may not come to fruition.

Depots and Headquarters

ACTION also operate two bus depots to house their bus fleet, one in the southern region of Canberra, and the other in the northern region of Canberra.

★ 'Tuggeranong Bus Depot' (South Region) is home to a bus wash, workshop, undercover bus parking, CNG Refill and Diesel refill facilities, drivers amenities and is also home to ACTION House, which was previously ACTION’s headquarters, but is now used by the Australian Government for a department of Medicare Australia.

★ 'Belconnen Bus Depot' (North Region) is home to a bus wash, workshop, undercover bus parking, diesel refill, drivers amenities and the networks Radio Room.
Both depots’ sign on and amenities buildings house small offices for Special Services buses, Schools Liaison services and other services which are required in each region and depot. The Special Service division caters for aged care, and special school routes and services whilst operating with a fleet of Hino and Mitsubishi buses. The Schools Liaison service caters for all school routes, any damage on buses, monitoring school fare evaders and also runs an education program for school children.
ACTION's headquarters is now located in the Territory and Municipal Services building on Northbourne Avenue which houses a Call Centre, and various departments relating to the operation of the bus service in the ACT.

See also

★ Transportation

★ Mass transit

★ Public services

External links

★ Official website

★ ACT BUS

★ seat transport gallery- ACTION buses