Getting Around

This has been put together to help you find your way around the transport system in Canberra. There is information about accessing:
• buses
• trains
• light rail
• community transport
• taxis
Where possible, we have listed the numbers you can ring (and places you can go) to get information in hardcopy as well as on the internet.

If you need to know more, call:
Transport Canberra 6207 7711
Access Canberra 13 22 81
COTA ACT Seniors Information Line 6282 3777
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Bus 6205 3555 

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Taxi services

There are several taxi services available in Canberra

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Canberra Elite

• Phone 13 22 27
• You can ask at the time of booking to be sent an SMS on your mobile phone
to advise that a taxi has been dispatched, and when it is about to arrive (usually, about 1km from your point of departure).
• The service uses an automated voice recognition system.

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Cabxpress

• Phone 6181 2700 for standard bookings (from interstate number you need to press Canberra code 02 before the phone number)
• A real person (rather than a voice recognition system) will take your booking.

ACT Cabs

• Phone 6280 0077 for standard bookings (from interstate number you need to press Canberra code 02 before the phone number)

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Silver Service

• Phone 13 31 00
• This service advertises accredited silver standards (including enhanced
driver training), and guaranteed delivery times for bookings. The rates are the same as for other taxi services, but an additional booking fee applies.
• A real person (rather than a voice recognition system) will take your booking. 

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Getting around by bus:

Transport Canberra is the provider of public transport in the ACT, which includes Action buses and light rail. Public transport services in Canberra include:

Rapid routes

Rapids are frequent direct bus and light rail routes that run between town centres and other key destinations. Rapids operate at least every 15 minutes on weekdays between 7am and 7pm, and frequently at other times.

Regular bus routes

Local bus services that are designed to get people to their town centre and other destinations in their area. Regular routes generally run every 20 to 30 minutes in peak times, and at least hourly during the day, on evenings and on weekends.

Peak bus routes

Peak bus routes are designed to get passengers travelling longer distances to and from the City and Parliamentary Triangle during the commuter peak on weekdays.

Holiday timetable

During some holiday periods, Transport Canberra routes may operate on a reduced timetable. Contact Transport Canberra for more information.

Red Explorer Loop Bus

A one-hour bus loop with running commentary on all major attractions including Lake Burley Griffin, Cultural Attractions, Embassies & Prime Minister’s residence.

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For further information:
• Check the website at www.transport.act.gov.au
• Call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10
Information in hardcopy may be available at Bus Stations and MyWay Recharge Agents. 

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MyWay Ticket for Buses and Light Rail

MyWay is the prepaid ticketing system and a smartcard technology that enables money value and/or travel entitlements to be stored on the card. The card is used for travel on buses and light rail in Canberra.
Depending on your eligible concessions, your MyWay card can be purchased at a MyWay Recharge Agent or Access Canberra Service Centre.

Call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10 or the Transport Canberra website www.transport.act.gov.au to find your nearest location.
Note: Due to COVID-19, cash fares may not be accepted on ACT buses and light rail or at Access Canberra Service Centres.

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Planning your trip

Route maps and timetables are available from the Transport Canberra website www.transport.act.gov.au and Access Canberra Service Centres. You can also call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10 for information.

Transport Canberra’s Journey Planner is a useful online tool for getting around. You can choose from multiple journey modes including bus, light rail, bicycle and walking.

The Journey Planner gives information on times, connections and how much walking is involved.

You can use the Journey Planner by going to the Transport Canberra website www.transport.act.gov.au

Note - The routes servicing any stop can be looked up on the ACT
Transport website by stop number, or by calling Transport Canberra on 13 17 10

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NXTBUS

You can see real time bus information on NXTBUS. All buses in Canberra are
fitted with screens and audio systems that tell you where you are on the route, but you can also use NXTBUS to find out:
• which buses are passing your stop and when
• how far away (in minutes) your bus is right now
• whether the next bus is easy-access and/or fitted with bike racks
• what routes are departing your stop around a specified time 
To find out more visit www.nxtbus.act.gov.au or call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10.

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Park & Ride

Park & Ride is a Transport Canberra program that allows bus and light rail users to park a car in a designated car park/space and then use public transport to complete the journey. Park & Ride facilities are available at selected group centres to allow easy
connections with buses and light rail. Some Park & Ride facilities require a permit to park there.
To Park & Ride you need to:
• find your nearest Park and Ride location
• apply for a Park & Ride permit – if required
• check your MyWay card meets the Park & Ride conditions

Go to www.transport.act.gov.au and select the Public Transport Options under the About Us menu item or call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10.
To be eligible to use Park & Ride, you must hold a MyWay card that has:
• $90 or more travel credit on a standard/adult MyWay card, or
• $40 or more travel credit on a concession MyWay card (note, no balance is required for seniors over the age of 70 years), or
• an active autoload direct debit payment.

Note: The prices and rates may change time to time and it is advised to all visitors to contact Transport Canberra or visit their website for the latest and accurate figures and information.

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How to Pay

If you are over 60, you can get a MyWay card via the Transport Canberra website, by calling 13 17 10 or from an Access Canberra Service Centre or MyWay Recharge Agent. If you’re 60 or over you may be eligible for a Seniors/MyWard Card – see below).
You can pay on the bus by tagging your MyWay card on the scanning machine. Remember to scan your card when you are getting on and off public transport as this makes travelling significantly cheaper. If you want to catch the Light Rail, you can tag your MyWay card on the scanning machine on the platform before boarding the light rail vehicle. 

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Note: Remember: MyWay machines are located on board Action buses and on the platforms of light rail stops. If you are 70 or over and live in the ACT, travel on public transport is free. However, to travel free you need a Seniors/MyWay card. You can add money to your MyWay card (and Seniors/MyWay Card) by:
• Autoload – set up a direct debit from your bank account/credit card when the balance falls below $10. You can choose the top up amount.
• Visiting a MyWay Recharge Agent
• Using a Ticket Vending Machine – at major bus stations and light rail platforms
• Going online to transport.act. gov.au and select Top up my MyWay from the Tickets & MyWay menu item
• Calling 13 17 10 and make payment with your Visa or Mastercard
• BPAY – using the biller code and customer reference number on the front of your MyWay card.

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Concessions

You are entitled to concessional fares on public transport if you hold:
• A combined ACT Seniors/MyWay Card, a Health Care Card issued by the Department of Human services (eligible for a concession MyWay card or concession cash fares).
• Pension Card issued by the Department of Human services (eligible for a concession MyWay card or concession cash fares).
• DVA Gold Card – concession fares apply at all times.

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Getting around by light rail:

Transport Canberra is the provider of public transport in the ACT, which includes light rail. A light rail system that provides a quick, direct way to travel between Civic and Gungahlin. In peak times, the light rail runs every six minutes with 13 stops along Northbourne Avenue and Flemington Rd.

Light rail services operate between Gungahlin and the City up to every 5 minutes. Detailed light rail frequency can be found at www.cmet.com.au
Use a MyWay card which gives you 90 minutes to tap on and off for your whole integrated trip across light rail and buses. You can purchase a paper ticket, or top up your MyWay card, at ticket vending machines which are located at light rail stops. Find out more: MyWay and Ticketing page.
For your security, all stops have 24/7 CCTV cameras installed. Remember to
stand behind the yellow safety line and wait for passengers alighting the light rail vehicle before getting on board. Don’t forget to tap on with your MyWay card on the platform validator before boarding.

When the Light Rail Vehicle arrives, press the yellow button to open the doors. There are dedicated areas at stops and on board for mobility aid users, and red priority seating for elderly people, pregnant women and people who have impaired mobility. When travelling with a bicycle, use the bicycle rack.
Please remain seated or hold onto a handrail or strap until the light rail vehicle comes to a complete stop. Once the Light Rail Vehicle has come to a stop, press the yellow button to open the doors.
Remember to tap off with your MyWay card on the platform.
Use the designated crossing points to cross the tracks and road when leaving the stop. Pay attention to traffic signals and don’t cross the tracks unless the signal indicates it is safe to do so.

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Walking:

It is worth thinking about the walking distance to the local shops and bus stops. 
The Walkscore website at www.walkscore.com/AU-ACT/Canberra gives information about how walkable and accessible different neighbourhoods are.
If the condition of footpaths, or any obstructions, make it hard to get around in your area, you can contact Fix My Street (call Access Canberra on 13 22 81).
If you want to walk for fitness or pleasure, there are many walking groups in the ACT including Walking for Pleasure, the Heart Foundation
Walking (13 11 12), CanWalk (www.canwalk.org.au) – or pick up a brochure from COTA ACT (6282 3777).

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Cycling:

Over 80% of Action buses are equipped with bike racks to combine bus and bike travel. The ACT Government also provides free bike cages, bike lockers and bike rails at bike and ride locations so you can lock your bike up and continue by bus. To find out more, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
There are also electric bikes on the market, which can make cycling much more appealing. Pedal Power ACT (6248 7995) can provide advice and suggestions. They also have courses for older cyclists.