R4 (Canberra)

Route R4 is a main cross-city bus route in Canberra, Australia operated by ACTION between Belconnen, City, Woden Town Centre and Tuggeranong.[1]

R4
Overview
Operator	ACTION
Began service	29 April 2019
Predecessors	Blue Rapid
Route
Start	Cohen Street Bus Station
Via	Westfield Belconnen University of Canberra Calvary Hospital Australian National University City Interchange Albert Hall Tuggeranong Pool (southbound services only)
End	Tuggeranong Interchange
Service
Level	Daily
Timetable	Route R4

History

The origins of the route can be traced back to the introduction by ACTION of bus services between Canberra City Centre and the growing Woden Valley and Tuggeranong regions in the 1970s.[2] In January 1989, the Intertown brand was introduced on cross-city route 333 between Belconnen and Tuggeranong. In 1998 route 333 was split into six separate routes with each operating beyond Tuggeranong to different termini.[3]

The Blue Rapid brand was introduced in November 2010.[4][5] Route 300 was introduced on weekends on 7 October 2017.[6][7] It had a sister service known as the Red Rapid with a further seven originally planned to be introduced by 2018.[8][9][10] The Blue Rapid branding was discontinued on 29 April 2019 and it was rebranded as route R4 to coincide with the addition of eight rapid bus routes and the light rail.[11]

On weekdays, route R4 operates at a 5 to 10 minute frequency between 07:00 and 19:00 with a 15 minute frequency until midnight. On weekends, it operates at a 15 minute frequency from first to last service.[1]

Bus Stations

R4
Cohen Street Interchange Westfield Belconnen Belconnen Interchange Emu Bank CISAC University of Canberra Radford College CIT Bruce Calvary Hospital Barry Drive Australian National University City Interchange Legislative Assembly Commonwealth Park Albert Hall Phillip Ice Skating Centre Phillip Oval Woden Interchange SkyPlaza Shea Street Parramatta Street Southlands Mawson Beasley Street Farrer Wanniassa Park & Ride Learmonth Drive Lakeside Leisure Centre Tuggeranong Interchange

Route R4 serves the following bus stations which are located in different districts.

Cohen Street Interchange

Northbound services stop at platform 6 and southbound services at platform 3.[12] The bus station is located adjacent to Belconnen bus depot.

Westfield Belconnen

Northbound services stop at platform 2 and southbound services at platform 1.[13] The bus station is located on the Lathlain Street entrance of Westfield Belconnen.

Belconnen Interchange

Northbound services stop at platform 4 and southbound services at platform 1.[14]

City Interchange

Northbound services stop at platform 1 and southbound services at platform 4 with connections to Qcity Transit and Transborder Express services to Queanbeyan and Yass.[15]

City Interchange is located on East Row and Alinga Street. Connection is available to the Canberra Light Rail to Gungahlin.

Woden Interchange

At Woden Interchange, northbound services stop at platform 6 and southbound services at platform 4 with connections to Qcity Transit and Transborder Express services.[16]

Tuggeranong Interchange

At Tuggeranong Interchange, northbound services stop at platform 8 and southbound services arrive at platform 2.[17]

References

1. Route R4 Transport Canberra
2. The first buses to Tuggeranong ACT Bus 7 June 2014
3. Intertown ACT Bus 7 April 2012
4. All Buses to Belco Australasian Bus & Coach 11 November 2010
5. New bus timetable running smoothly ABC News 15 November 2010
6. What changes are there to the ACT's bus timetable from October? Canberra Times 31 August 2017
7. Rapid Services for Canberra Australasian Bus & Coach 23 October 2017
8. ACT government announces seven new rapid bus routes in network overhaul Canberra Times 26 August 2016
9. More Rapid Buses for Canberra Australasian Bus & Coach 29 August 2016
10. Canberra's getting faster bus trips - two year early Canberra Times 20 October 2017
11. Rapid Routes Transport Canberra
12. Cohen Street Interchange Transport Canberra
13. Westfield Belconnen Transport Canberra
14. Belconnen Interchange Transport Canberra
15. City Interchange Transport Canberra
16. Woden Bus Station Transport Canberra
17. Tuggeranong Interchange Transport Canberra