Following one year of operations, the ACT Government has released its 12 month review of the benefits from Light Rail Stage One to help inform planning, design and delivery of future city-shaping infrastructure projects, including the next stage of light rail to Woden.

“From the very beginning of operations light rail has proved itself as a huge success, with the project coming in under budget and seeing an immediate jump in public transport patronage,” Minister for Transport Chris Steel said.

“Comfortable, reliable and frequent services has seen a sustained increase in people using public transport, with more than 4.2 million boardings over the year.”

The review confirms wider economic benefits including increases in land value along the corridor. Based on census data, population growth in the suburbs along the light rail corridor has exceeded what was initially expected in the business case by nearly 2,500 people. Living and working next to light rail has proved popular, with an average increase in the unimproved value of blocks growing by 35.2%, which was significantly greater that the Territory average of 21.7% for the same period.

“Canberrans can already see the broader economic and social benefits that light rail has brought to our city,” Minister Steel said.