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
OperatorACTION
Began service29 April 2019
PredecessorsBlue Rapid
Route
StartCohen Street Bus Station
ViaWestfield Belconnen
University of Canberra
Calvary Hospital
Australian National University
City Interchange
Albert Hall
Tuggeranong Pool (southbound services only)
EndTuggeranong Interchange
Service
LevelDaily
TimetableRoute R4

History

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

City Interchange

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Northbound services stop at platform 1 and southbound services at platform 4 with connections to CDC Canberra 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

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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

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

References

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  1. ^ a b 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