Bus services across Canberra will be upgraded from July 20, with increased frequencies, improved capacity on key routes and the return of Rapid services to West Belconnen following a network review, Transport Canberra said.

The changes come after Transport Canberra assessed network performance during the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project and the temporary “construction bus network” introduced in February.

Under the new timetable, several Rapid bus routes will see significant changes. The R2 and R3 will be extended back through to West Belconnen, reinstating their original corridors. This will restore direct Rapid connections between Fraser and Fyshwick, and between Spence and Canberra Airport, replacing the temporary R12 and R13 services.

Capacity will also be boosted across other high-demand routes. The R4 and R5 will run more frequently to and from Canberra’s south, while the R6 will also see increased frequency on services to and from Woden. Transport officials say the changes respond directly to sustained passenger demand and crowding identified over recent months.

Executive Group Manager Jeremy Smith said the network update reflects a clearer understanding of traffic conditions following the bridge works.

“With travel impacts of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works now known, Transport Canberra is increasing the frequency and capacity of key bus routes across the network as early as possible,” Smith said.

He said the return of the R2 and R3 to West Belconnen was a key priority, while extensions of the R5 and R6 had proven popular since their introduction earlier in the year.

“Transport Canberra is also responding to crowding on the R4 and R5 services by providing additional services to increase the frequency and capacity to carry the load,” he said.

Alongside Rapid service changes, a range of regular and school services will also be adjusted to better reflect travel patterns. This includes updates to routes such as 19, 26, 56, 63, 66 and 81, as well as multiple dedicated school services serving campuses including Alfred Deakin High School, Campbell High School, Marist College, Merici College, and Mount Stromlo High School, among others.

Transport Canberra said updated timetables and school information packs will be released before the end of Term 2 in June, with passengers encouraged to review changes ahead of the first day of Term 3.