ANU student Skye Predavec petitions ACT Government to solve campus bus ‘deadzone’

As the cost of living skyrockets, and a recent study suggested ANU students experienced some of the highest rates of sexual assault, a petition is demanding the government to address a public transport “deadzone”.

ANU Student Skye Predavec is petitioning the ACT government to bring back the Daley Rd bus. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

A university student is taking on the ACT Government and calling for a bus route to be established through a student housing hub again to address safety fears and cost of living concerns.

Third year student Skye Predavec has kickstarted a petition addressed to the ACT government asking for a “public transport deadzone” to be solved, and in a week it has received more than 370 signatures.

Ms Predavec said the lack of public transport on Daley Rd made her feel unsafe while living on campus especially after a 2022 report suggested ANU students experienced some of the highest rates of sexual assault and harassment in the country.

“I don’t think it helps if you’re someone who works late, had a night out, having to walk home in a very poorly lit campus back to where they live,” she said.

Skye Predavec is petitioning the government to bring back a bus route down Daley Rd. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

An ACT Government spokesperson said the Barry Rd and Rimmer St bus stop outside ANU was serviced by six routes and said the route 53 bus went through Liversidge St in the campus.

However, Ms Predevic said these bus stops were not convenient to students living on Daley Rd.

“To get affordable groceries you need to go to Civic, or even further afield,” she said.

“Realistically this means an hour or more of travel to be able to do that (because you’re) carrying groceries.”

The Yukeembruk student accommodation recently opened on Daley St. Picture: ANU

Prior to 2019, the former route 3 bus traversed Daley Rd but an ACT spokesman said the route was scrapped due to low demand.

Ms Predavec said since 2019 circumstances had changed, citing the return of more students on campus and the opening of the 731 bed Yukeembruk student accommodation complex on Daley Rd.

Most ANU accommodation is on the west side of campus. Picture: Transport Canberra.

The petition is sponsored by Greens MLA Jo Clay who said the issue brought up broader problems with Canberra’s bus network.

Ms Clay said since the new ACTION bus timetable was introduced last month she had heard more concerns about Canberra’s bus network than ever.

“We’re actually running fewer buses now than we did 30 years ago,” she said.

“We’re making good efficient decisions that service people who work at peak hours in city centres (so those people) find their bus service is working well.

“We’re not making decisions that encourage everybody else.”

Greens MLA Jo Clay is sponsoring the petition. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Ms Predavec said most students living on campus could not afford to own a car, bike infrastructure was lacking on campus and share e-scooters and ride-share services were too expensive for many students.

Ms Predavec said she also wanted to see the university bring back its shuttle bus service which closed in 2020.

An ANU spokesman said the university was “looking at options” for a new shuttle bus , but added that if it was brought back it would only travel within the campus.

He said the campus was “extremely well serviced by affordable and frequent public transport” and said students could access “other affordable travel options including e-scooters and ride share services.”

The spokesman also said students living on campus had access to escorted travel provided by security guards on request — however Ms Predavec said she and other students didn’t always feel comfortable calling security for transport concerns.

An ACT Government spokesman said the government was considering the petition and would provide a position after it closes.

Canberrans can sign the petition until March 20.