A Canberra resident has criticised the National Capital Authority's decision to create a dedicated bus lane instead of a transit lane during major works on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, arguing the alternative would get more commuters into the city faster.
Transit lane vs bus lane: The commuter maths
In a letter to the editor, Downer resident Leon Arundell contends that the authority has prioritised "inanimate buses over Canberra's commuters." The criticism follows the NCA's announcement that parts of the bridge will close for up to a year from late November 2025, causing significant disruption.
Arundell's argument centres on capacity. He states that a second northbound lane converted to a T2 transit lane – carrying vehicles with two or more occupants, like those on Adelaide Avenue – could move approximately 1000 vehicles per hour. In contrast, he claims a bus lane would rarely carry forty buses per hour, even during the morning peak.
"A T2 lane would carry an extra 400 people per hour, in 200 cars, with minimal impact on bus travel times," Arundell writes. He further calculates that the transit lane would also remove 200 cars from the remaining general traffic lane, speeding up the journey for another 1000 people in that lane.
Historical perspective on Northern Australia
In another letter, Richard Johnston of Kingston reflects on historian Henry Reynolds' new book, "Looking From The North - Australian history from the top down." Johnston notes Reynolds' research reveals a remarkably multi-national northern Australia prior to Federation, where Europeans were in the minority and relations with Chinese, Japanese, Islander, and Indigenous populations were largely harmonious.
Johnston points to the White Australia Policy, pushed by southern politicians after 1901, as the catalyst that dismantled this society through deportation and repression. He ends with a poignant question about whether the region could ever return to that state, expressing concern that current anti-immigration sentiment echoes that dark historical chapter.
A mix of community concerns
The day's correspondence covered a wide range of issues. Mario Stivala of Belconnen expressed scepticism about Finance Minister Katy Gallagher's promise of no public service cuts, citing a "long history of broken promises" from the Albanese government.
From Campbell, Evelina Brighty shared a powerful anonymous account from a Muslim woman arguing the hijab is not a free choice when social and familial pressure to wear it is immense, stating "it will never be a choice" until there is no risk of punishment or ostracism.
Environmental concerns were also prominent. Dr Amy Hiller from Kew highlighted the hypocrisy of Australia, as the world's second-largest fossil fuel exporter, leading global climate negotiations. Meanwhile, Murray May of Cook criticised a letter-writer's support for a waste incinerator in Tarago as a classic case of "not in my backyard" thinking, dismissing community health concerns.
Other letters touched on:
- Summer safety: Bill Thompson of Scullin labelled baseball caps "foolish" sun protection, urging better headwear to prevent skin cancer.
- Emergency station security: Christopher Ryan of Watson called for improved patrols after a baby was left overnight at a fire station.
- Simple pleasures: Jill Sutton of Watson lamented the declining popularity of pears, a "simple joy" that requires no recipe.
- Cultural imports: David D'Lima of Sturt, SA, questioned the adoption of American Black Friday sales, preferring the US's Thanksgiving holiday as a better export.
The collective correspondence paints a picture of a community engaged on issues from local traffic planning and environmental policy to social norms and cultural identity.
