ACTION Totally Explained

Everything about Action totally explained

ACT 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	Belconnen Gungahlin North Canberra South Canberra Woden Valley Weston Creek Tuggeranong
Corporate Colours	Orange and blue
Slogan	Going Your Way.
Depots	Belconnen Tuggeranong
URL	(External Link)

ACTION is a public transportation service in Canberra, Australia. It is operated by the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services. The name ACTION is an acronym of Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network.
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, finally settling on ACTION on 14 February 1977.

Buses

ACTION's corporate colours are orange and blue, and its buses are traditionally painted orange with blue and white trim. The typical orange and blue bus is a familiar sight in Canberra. The newer Irisbus Agoralines and Scania L94UBs adopted a new livery of white, green and orange symbolising change, and a newer, 'greener' fleet. 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 regular service fleet comprises approximately 370 buses, divided into the following models:

Renault PR100.2 (Ansair "Metro" MkI, rigid) - 89
Renault PR180.2 (Ansair "Metro" MkI, articulated) - 26
Renault PR100.2 (Ansair "Metro" MkII, rigid) - 112
Renault PR180.2 (Ansair "Metro" MkII, articulated) - 7
Renault PR100.3 (Austral Denning "Starliner", rigid) - 42
Dennis Dart SLF (Wright "Crusader", medium rigid) - 25 (all wheelchair accessible)
Irisbus Agoraline (Custom Coaches (External Link) "CB60", rigid) - 20 (all wheelchair accessible)
Scania L94UB (Custom Coaches "CB60", rigid) - 53 (all wheelchair accessible, CNG powered)

There are an additional 2 Renault PR100.2 (MkI) which are exclusively used for driver training and a fleet of mini buses (Hino and Mitsubishi Rosa) used for special needs transport.
ACTION also operates a single MACK tow truck which is used when a bus breaks down and can't be repaired on the spot.
ACTION have ordered 16 MAN 18.310 CNG Buses, the first of which is expected to be delivered in May 2008.

Services

ACTION offers many different types of services, from Route to Peak and School services.
   The current network was commenced 4 December 2006 and was named "Network '06". This network reduced off-peak services and re-introduced separate weekend services to reduce running costs. After widespread criticism about the new network, further changes were made on 30 April 2007 to reinstate some routes which were withdrawn during weekday off-peak.
   ACTION's current route and timetable information can be found at http://www.action.act.gov.au/routes.cfm
   Network '08 is due to commence on 2 June 2008. The route changes (including route numbers) have mainly occurred in Gungahlin, North Canberra and South Canberra with minor changes in the other regions. The new network was intended to operate the same routes 7 days a week, but initially ACTION will introduce the new services for Monday to Friday services only. A slightly modified version of the Network '06 weekend routes will continue to operate until ACTION is able to recruit sufficient weekend drivers.
   Details of the new network can be found at http://www.action.act.gov.au/improvements_to_network.cfm

Route Services ACTION's regular route services operate either as feeder services to a single interchange or connect two or three interchanges via suburban streets. During weekday daytime (and for some routes on evenings and weekends), these services are recognised by a two-digit route number (the leading number generally identifies the region the route is travelling in). During evenings and weekends, most bus services use a three-digit route number in the 9** range. These services generally don't provide the same level of service as the weekday daytime services by being less direct services and operating less frequently.

Intertown The Intertown provides a regular service between Canberra's 3 town centres and the City. Prior to Network 1998 it operated as route 333 between Tuggeranong, Woden, City and Belconnen Interchanges. Network 1998 replaced the single route 333 with the "100" and "300" series routes. "300" series routes operate along the full length of the Intertown trunk route - from Belconnen in the North-West to Tuggeranong in the south and vice versa. "100" series routes don't travel the full length of the Intertown trunk route but will always travel through (or to) City Interchange.
   During weekday daytime, Intertown routes travel from suburbs in Belconnen or Tuggeranong then continue along the Intertown trunk route and may then service further suburbs (depending on the route and timetable). These services are supplemented by Route 300 which operates between Belconnen, City and Woden Interchanges only.
   During evenings and weekends Route 300 operates between the all interchanges as well as Erindale Centre. Some 300 services on Saturday travel only between Woden and Belconnen interchanges.
   The 7 main Intertown routes are as follows:
116 - Woden, City, Belconnen, Florey, Latham, Kippax 117 - Woden, City, Belconnen, Weetangera, Hawker, Higgins, Kippax 300 - during evenings and weekends: Tuggeranong, Erindale, Woden, City, Belconnen
- weekday daytime (and some Saturday daytime services): Woden, City, Belconnen 312* - Theodore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen, McKellar, Evatt, Spence Terminus 313* - Banks, Bonython, Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen, Page, Scullin, Charnwood, Fraser West Terminus 314* - Lanyon Marketplace, Gordon, Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen, Flynn, Fraser 315* - Theodore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen, Florey, Melba, Spence * - please note that these routes may not always service suburbs at both ends of the route.
   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. These services may also operate just the suburban component of the route in which case the route number will be the last two digits.
   Other "100 series" routes only operate during peak and are discussed below.

Xpresso Xpresso services are routes which operate during peak hours to provide the suburbs with direct links to the City Centre and Parliamentary Triangle or direct services between Interchanges bypassing the City. These services are designed to reduce the travel time for commuters to get to and from work. Xpresso services are numbered 7**. The exception to this is route 170, which is classed as an Xpresso Route but travels along the Intertown trunk route between Woden and City Interchanges. 170 - Monash, Gowrie, Fadden, Wanniassa, Woden Interchange, City Interchange, City West 701 - Spence, Melba, Evatt, Northbourne Ave, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 702 - Fraser East, Charnwood, Flynn, Northbourne Ave, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 703 - Fraser West, Dunlop, Macgregor, Belconnen Way, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 705 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Belconnen Interchange via Drakeford Drive & Tuggeranong Parkway 720 - Farrer, Mawson, Garran, Hughes, City Interchange via Adelaide Ave & Commonwealth Ave 729 - Cooleman Court, Rivett, Duffy, Holder, City Interchange via Tuggeranong Parkway & Parkes Way 749 - Woden Interchange, Belconnen Interchange via Tuggeranong Parkway 768 - Theodore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, Chisholm, Barton, Parkes, Constitution Ave, City Interchange, City West via Monaro Highway 769 - Theodore, Calwell, Richardson, Gilmore, Chisolm Shops, Barton, Parkes, Constitution Ave City Interchange, City West via Monaro Highway 785 - Conder, Banks, City West, City Interchange, ActewAGL House via Tuggeranong Parkway & Parkes Way 787 - Lanyon Marketplace, Gordon, City West, City Interchange, ActewAGL House via Tuggeranong Parkway & Parkes Way, 788 - Gordon, Banks, Conder, Barton, Constitution Ave, City Interchange, City West via Monaro Highway,

Other peak services Other peak hour services operate as an extension to existing route services. These routes are numbered as 1** and 2** where ** represents the two numbers of the regular route service. The 100 series routes listed below travel along the Intertown trunk route between Woden and City Interchanges. The 200 series routes will travel via Barton, Kings Ave, Constitution Ave and the City - services to/from the North will terminate or commence at Barton; services to/from the South will terminate or commence at City West. 126 - Chapman, Stirling, Cooleman Court, Woden Interchange, City Interchange, City West 160 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Kambah West, Woden Interchange, City Interchange, City West 161 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Oxley, Wanniassa, Kambah, Woden Interchange, City Interchange, City West 162 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Kambah East, Woden Interchange, City Interchange, City West 216 - Kippax, Latham, Florey, Belconnen Interchange, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 217 - Kippax, Hughes, Hawker, Weetangera, Belconnen Interchange, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, 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 Ave, Constitution Ave, City Interchange, City West 243 - Dunlop, Charnwood Shops, Macgregor, Kippax, Belconnen Interchange, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 244 - Kippax, Holt, Higgins, Scullin, Belconnen Way, Belconnen Interchange, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton 256 - Belconnen Interchange, Gungahlin Town Centre, Palmerston, Mitchell, Northbourne Ave, City Interchange, Constitution Ave, Kings Ave, Barton AM peak only 265 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Isabella Plains, Richardson, Gowrie, Fadden, Wanniassa, Phillip, Woden Interchange, Barton, Kings Ave, Constitution Ave, City Interchange, City West 267 - Tuggeranong Interchange, Richardson, Gilmore, Chisholm Shops, Fadden, Woden Interchange, Barton, Kings Ave, Constitution Ave, 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 staff, and are not used by the general public. They are not listed on timetables at bus stops. These are numbered between 401 and 899.
Details of school services can be found at http://www.action.act.gov.au/schoolservices.cfm

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.
Details of ACTION's fares can be found at http://www.action.act.gov.au/fares.cfm
Fares come in three types, adult, concession and student. Adult and concession fares can be used on any day, at any time. Student tickets can only be used on School days, not on Public Holidays, weekends or School Holidays. All magnetic tickets include a 90 minute transfer period, this allows only one ride deduction on the ticket whether pre-purchased or purchased on board.

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 - $1.30

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, as well as 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 school services. These have since been removed.
   Due to numerous breakdowns of the Wayfarer machines the ACT Government is investigating a replacement program. The type isn't 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 1972, second stage opened 1982) serves Woden Valley and Weston Creek;

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

City Interchange (opened 1982 and remodelled 2000), in the City Centre, serves North and South Canberra;

Tuggeranong Interchange (opened 1991), serves the Tuggeranong district. Tuggeranong was originally called a Bus Station, and the signage still indicates that, however ACTION now refers to it as a Bus Interchange. City bus interchange is unique because it allows delivery vehicles to access part of the interchange and is built on the normal street outlay. The others only allow buses and emergency vehicles. City, 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 termini, 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 bus stops around the ACT. Yellow and black signs and posts mark bus stops in the ACT. Most stops consist of a steel pole with a rectangular "Bus Stop" sign, however there remains some stops with a wooden post with the words "Signal Bus".
In 2007, Adshel (External Link

) were awarded a contract to install and maintain bus shelters with advertising in the ACT. Construction of the new shelters commenced in August 2007.

Depots and Headquarters

ACTION has 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 are now located in Macarthur House (corner of Macarthur Ave and Northbourne Avenue) which houses a call centre, and various departments relating to the operation of the bus service in the ACT.

Further Information

Get more info on 'Action'.

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