ACT minister for transport and city services Meegan Fitzharris has launched the Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) Directorate, to bring together public transport and local services in the nation’s capital.
TCCS will bring together Canberra’s public transport services including bus, light rail and “active travel” under one umbrella.
“Over the last few months, there has been extensive work to prepare for the start of TCCS,” Fitzharris said.
“The directorate will continue this work to further improve customer services, including through the use of emerging technology.”
Emma Thomas, the former director general of the light rail project director Capital Metro Authority, will lead the TCCS team as its director general.
“TCCS will continue to manage and deliver the essential services Canberrans rely on each day, including our public libraries, recycling and waste services, road management, graffiti removal, shop and playground upgrades, maintenance of open public spaces including shopping centres, animal welfare and grass mowing,” Fitzharris explained.
“Through providing these vital city services and an integrated transport network, the new directorate will ensure Canberra remains a great place to live, work, study and relax.”
Australasian Railway Association boss Danny Broad said the new body represented a modern approach to transport.
“An efficient, affordable, reliable, safe and integrated public transport network is the beating heart of a city,” Broad said.
“It contributes to a city’s health and happiness, creates jobs and advances innovation and economic development initiatives.”
Broad stressed the importance of cities planning for future growth if they are to reduce congestion and enhance liveability.
“There must be an affordable and reliable alternative to driving and the establishment of Transport Canberra is a significant step in implementing this long term vision for the nation’s capital,” he continued.
“Although we recognise there are divergent views on public transport in the community, the ARA believes the debate should not be one about light rail versus bus, but rather how the two can best work together to provide the most efficient public transport system for Australia’s capital city.
“Concentrating investment in one mode of transport creates an unbalanced, inefficient transport system that cannot meet the growing needs of the population.”
Yes, build the infrastructure, but why borrow? The Reserve Bank could just create the funds. How is it more financially virtuous to create debt, when the increase in money supply would be exactly the same?
If the Reserve Bank creates money, that is an increase in the money supply. If TCCS borrows money, it uses money already in existence. There is then no money creation. It is not exactly the same.