Canberra Busway with Bays Instead of Light Rail

A report from Bob Nairn for the Liberal Party is reported to estimate the cost of a light rail project for Canberra at $915 million, 50% more than previous estimates.

Infrastructure Australia also did not support light rail in its "National Infrastructure Plan". The alternative I suggest is bus transit lanes on existing streets. The existing bicycle lanes can be moved to parkland and the road space freed up used for bus bays. This will allow express buses to overtake local stopping ones, which would not be possible with a light rail system.

Infrastructure Australia Supports Canberra Busway

In its "National Infrastructure Plan", Infrastructure Australia recommends bus transit lanes between Civic and Gungahlin in Canberra, not support the ACT's government plan for Light Rail. In my view, bus transit lanes are the better option, being cheaper and quicker to build then tram tracks.
 The ACT Government previously investigated a light rail line from Civic to Belconnen, but chose the better option of a bus lane, which is now working well, including a new addition routing the buses through ANU.

Bus lanes on Northbourne Avenue: Low-cost public transport measures such as bus transit lanes along Northbourne Avenue connecting the high-growth area of Gungahlin with the Canberra central business district. This will provide greater access and connectivity to activity centres and support the Australian Capital Territory Government’s plans for redevelopment along Northbourne Avenue.

The project needs to be accompanied by a change in the pricing of parking in Civic and other centres in Canberra. This is also in line with the Australian Capital Territory Government’s existing plans.