The State Government will today release the tender for the supply of Adelaide Metro buses over the next 10 years.
In September the Marshall Government cancelled the previous tender released by the former Labor Government because it was rigid and would not result in the best value for money or service delivery outcomes for South Australians.
Today a new tender will be released that will provide greater flexibility in Adelaide Metro's bus network and help deliver better bus services for South Australians.
"This tender provides an excellent opportunity to look at new, innovative and efficient buses as we look to improve South Australia's public transport network," said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.
"The Marshall Government is in the process of establishing the South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) which will help shape the future of public transport delivery in our state.
"The supply of new buses for the Adelaide Metro network is a key component in that reform process.
"The Marshall Government is committed to delivering better, more reliable and customer focused public transport services for South Australians.
"Technology in the public transport space is moving at a rapid pace.
"We need a bus contract that can keep pace with these changing technologies, so we can provide the best service possible for South Australians.
"South Australians need a contract that has the flexibility and responsiveness to ensure we have the opportunity to access the latest, most efficient and cost-effective public transport service options.
"It would have been negligent to proceed with Labor's tender and lock South Australian taxpayers into a rigid 10-year contract that wouldn't deliver the best possible service for South Australians."
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) manages 990 buses in Metropolitan Adelaide as part of the Adelaide Metro Public Transport system.
New buses are purchased each year to replace existing buses, which are no longer fit for purpose or have reached the compulsory retirement age of 25 years, as required under the Passenger Transport Regulations 2009.
