ACT Light Rail Stage 2 Funding Bill and Travel Patterns in Woden and Mawson

The ACT Legislative Assembly is debating the Light Rail Stage 2 Funding Bill 2026, which sets out capital allocations and service changes for the 6.2 kilometre extension from Civic to Woden. The measure directly affects commuters in the Bean electorate who currently rely on the 4 and 5 bus routes between Woden and the city centre.

Why the bill is before the Assembly now

Passage of the bill follows the release of the 2025-26 ACT Budget papers, which identified a $1.4 billion shortfall in committed transport projects after federal infrastructure grants were scaled back. Assembly committees have scheduled public hearings for the week of 15 July to hear from Transport Canberra officials on revised operating costs.

Local transport analysts note that the bill requires the replacement of 14 existing bus services with feeder routes to new light rail stops at Mawson and Phillip. This change is projected to alter morning peak travel for an estimated 8,200 daily passengers who board between Woden and the city.

Effects on household budgets and daily routines

Residents in Mawson and Farrer would gain a direct tram service to Civic within 22 minutes, replacing current bus journeys that average 34 minutes during peak periods. The legislation states that fares will remain integrated under the MyWay+ system, with no immediate increase to the existing $2.50 single adult fare cap.

Community advocates in the Woden Valley have pointed out that construction traffic management plans attached to the bill will close sections of Hindmarsh Drive between 2027 and 2029. Parents dropping children at Mawson Primary School are expected to use temporary detours via Athllon Drive during those years.

The government says the policy will create 1,150 construction jobs based in the ACT, with priority given to local firms already contracted to the Stage 1 maintenance depot in Mitchell. Procurement rules in the bill require 70 per cent of subcontracted work to be awarded to businesses with an ACT headquarters.

Committee hearings are scheduled to conclude by 30 September, after which the bill returns to the Assembly for final debate. If passed, site works are listed to begin in the first quarter of 2027 with revenue service targeted for July 2028.