Transport Minister Chris Steel censured over disastrous MyWay+ rollout, as investigators slam project

Transport Minister Chris Steel has been censured in the ACT Legislative Assembly for overseeing a failed $64-million public transport project.

Transcript

00:01A debacle at every stop.

00:07Now nearly a year on from its bungled rollout,

00:10a damning report has confirmed unanimously negative feedback on MyWay Plus.

00:15The issues with the MyWay Plus rollout really damaged public trust in public transport.

00:20The inquiry found stakeholders had advised the government the system was not ready to launch,

00:25but it was given the green light anyway.

00:28I think we acknowledge that in hindsight that a further delay probably would have been beneficial.

00:34Access problems put the system out of reach for seniors and those with a disability.

00:39Using that system is impossible for some people, which obviously is extremely serious.

00:45More than 100 submissions were made to the inquiry,

00:48many scathing of MyWay Plus journey planning functions.

00:52The app suggests absurd trips such as walking 10 plus kilometres along a freeway

00:57rather than public transport.

00:59One submission said it will happily tell you to do, for example,

01:03an eight-hour walk from Tuggeranong to Kangalan over any practical option.

01:08But it also uncovered systemic shortcomings in the public service.

01:12We know that there's a need to improve the capability of the public service

01:16in delivering complex ICT projects.

01:19The condemnation of Minister Steele was so severe it prompted a censure motion,

01:24the first to be passed since 2011.

01:26It puts the Minister on notice that there needs to be effective management of government projects going forward.

01:32But the Minister stopped short of making an apology.

01:35Well, I take responsibility for this.

01:38Well, I acknowledge the impact that this has had.

01:40I take responsibility absolutely.

01:42I acknowledge the issues that have been raised.

01:44The government will respond to the inquiry and Sears improvements are in train.

01:49The government will respond to the sign.

01:50The government will respond to the inquiry and Sears improvements are in for the sun.