ACT Transport Strategy 2020

Our vision for transport is for a world class system that supports a compact, sustainable and vibrant city.

This means providing flexible, reliable and sustainable options for Canberrans to make their journeys. Convenient and connected public transport; high quality environments for walking and cycling; and a road network that allows us to move people and goods safely and reliably across the city. Canberra’s future transport system will give people greater choice over how and when they travel and contribute to our city’s status as one of the most liveable in the world. It will operate as one connected transport network, where people can move between transport modes seamlessly and access transport easily, regardless of where they live, disability or background. It will create a compact liveable city by supporting the delivery of new homes, jobs and services in accessible locations across the city.

At a strategic level, we will employ four main avenues to bring about the transport system of the future.

A future-focused investment framework which supports long-term sustainable benefits of transport to the ACT. This will involve the continued rebalancing of investment towards public transport, cycling and walking while we will continue to invest in the safety and maintenance of our road network.

Refocused network planning and design which will focus on building a single transport network where movement will reflect location and better integrated with land use.  Canberra’s transport network will be structured through local, central, orbital and regional links. Different links will prioritise the most efficient and appropriate movement type for that link and surrounding land uses. This will encourage people to make appropriate transport choices depending on their destination, purpose and time of day. In this way, our network will operate to reduce congestion, reduce emissions and support a more liveable city.

We will collaborate with partners across Government and the community to employ the Movement and Place framework to weave transport and places together; improving the social and urban fabric of our city. Importantly, we will work to improve safety on our roads for all road users by employing the Safe Systems Approach. This will support people through any transport choice to make the most of what Canberra has to offer by ensuring road environments are safe for all.

Optimising our infrastructure by embracing the opportunities created through new technology to better manage our network and increase capacity to accommodate future demand and emerging transport modes.

ACT Transport Recovery Plan (PDF 6MB) will lead our efforts to set transport once again on a healthy and sustainable path as we manage the impacts of COVID-19 and transition beyond. The plan will focus on harnessing this opportunity to adapt, improve and innovate, so that we can make the most of this period, for the benefit of all Canberrans, now and in the future.

The reimagining of our transport network which begun through Transport for Canberra 2012-31 has provided Canberra with a once in a generation opportunity to recast expectations of how transport and land use planning can shape the future of our city. Through this strategy, the ACT Government will now build on that foundation, delivering world-class public transport, attractive and viable options for cycling and walking, and a safe and efficient road network to allow Canberrans to connect with a vibrant, liveable and exciting future.

Vision and principles

Canberra's future public transport network

World class public transport network for a compact, efficient city

Walking and cycling for a liveable city

Movement and place

Download PDF (8 MB).
Download PDF (6 MB).