Bus network improvements from Monday 20 July 2026 following network review


Rapid bus services to west Belconnen will return as part of a package of network improvements aimed at improving reliability and efficiency across the Transport Canberra bus network.

From Monday 20 July 2026, coinciding with the start of school term 3, Rapid 2 and Rapid 3 services will be reinstated to their pre ‘construction timetable’ routes.

Additional improvements include increased frequency on Rapid 4 and Rapid 5 services to and from Canberra’s south, Rapid 6 services to and from Woden, and refinements to several local and school services to better reflect actual travel conditions.

Transport Canberra will also keep the Rapid 6 and Rapid 5 running through to Belconnen to provide additional capacity in the network. These Rapid buses have been well utilised by Belconnen residents since these route extensions were introduced for the first time in February.

Updated timetables and school information packs now available

Updated timetables and school information packs for services commencing Monday 20 July 2026 are now available. Students and families are encouraged to check details before returning for school term 3.

View timetables commencing 20 July 2026
View school timetables commencing 20 July 2026

Summary of impacted services 

  • Rapids: 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
  • Regular services: 19, 26, 56, 63, 66 and 81
  • School services: 1019, 1022, 1023, 1031, 1041, 1054, 2030, 2032, 2046, 2048, 2049, 2054, 2090 and 2093
  • Schools impacted: Alfred Deakin High School, Campbell Primary School, Campbell High School, Canberra Grammer, Canberra High School, Daramalan College, Emmaus Christian School, Marist College, Melrose High, Merici College, Mount Stromlo High School, St Francis Xavier College, St John the Apostle Primary School, St Thomas More’s Primary School.

Changes to Rapid and local services

Rapid 2

  • Reinstate services between the Fraser terminus and Fyshwick.
  • Maintain existing frequency.
  • Reintroduce services departing Kippax at 5:36 am and Belconnen at 5:33 am.

Rapid 3

  • Reinstate services between Spence and the Canberra Airport.
  • Maintain existing frequency.

Rapid 4

  • Commence earlier from Tuggeranong at 5:31 am.
  • Additional services between Woden and Belconnen during the morning peak period.
  • Additional services between the City and Tuggeranong in the afternoon peak period.

Rapid 5

  • Additional service in the morning peak period to help to service demand on Athllon Drive.

Rapid 6

  • Additional services to support school-day transport in the morning peak period southbound and one additional northbound service from Woden in the afternoon.

Route 19

  • Additional afternoon service between existing services at 3:51 pm and 4:31 pm.

Route 26

  • Additional morning service to support student patronage, departing Casey Shops at 7:16 am.
  • Additional afternoon service commencing at John Paul College at approximately 3:43 pm.

Route 56

  • Reinstate travel along Kings Avenue Bridge (instead of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge).

Route 63

  • Service at 2:45 pm to leave later, allowing access for students of Arawang Primary School.

Route 66

  • Service departing Woden at 2:32 pm to be moved later, allowing access for students of Evelyn Scott School.

Route 81

  • Service departing Tuggeranong at 2:42 pm to be moved later, aligning with Gordon Primary School’s 3:00 pm bell time.

Changes to school services

School service 1019

  • Afternoon service moved 5 minutes later to 3:35 pm to align better with bell time.

School service 1022

  • Afternoon service moved 3 minutes later to 3:35 pm to align better with bell time.

School service 1023

  • Morning service moved 12 minutes later to 7:42 am to align better with bell time.

School service 1031

  • Morning service moved 4 minutes earlier to 8:04 am to align better with bell time.

School service 1041

  • Morning service moved 5 minutes earlier to 7:55 am to align better with bell time.

School service 1054

  • Morning service moved earlier to 8.08 am and 8:11 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2030

  • Morning service moved 14 minutes later to 8:14 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2032

  • Morning service moved 2 minutes earlier to 8:34 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2046

  • Morning service moved 7 minutes later to 7:24 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2048

  • Morning service moved 10 minutes later to 7:30 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2049

  • Morning service moved 8 minutes later to 7:49 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2054

  • Morning service moved later to 8:01 am and 8:13 am to align better with bell time.

School service 2090

  • Additional minutes have been included to allow sufficient time for the route to be completed.

School service 2093

  • Morning service moved to start 9 minutes earlier to 7:41 am to align better with bell time.

More information

Stay up to date

The best way to stay informed on all things public transport is to subscribe to our Transport Canberra weekly e-newsletter and like us on Facebook.

To learn more about the Commonwealth Bridge Renewal Project visit the National Capital Authority website.

Plan your journey

Although the impacts due to the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project are not as significant as first thought, there are still impacts to all bridge users and we encourage the community to plan ahead before you travel.

If possible, travel outside peak times, allow extra time for your trip or find other ways to travel. There are also many great platforms to check traffic conditions on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge before you get on the road, such as Waze Navigation and Live Traffic, Google Maps and Apple Maps.

Bus improvement

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.