The Marshall Government has announced that a number of bus services across metropolitan Adelaide will be upgraded with the changes coming into effect on Sunday 14 October.
The acquisition of Light City Buses by Torrens Transit in May this year has resulted in efficiencies that will see the re-linking of bus routes, service frequency upgrades and better access to some of South Australia’s major metropolitan hospitals.
The proposed service enhancements will commence from 14 October 2018 and will include:
- Direct services from Elizabeth to the Airport and from Rostrevor and Athelstone to the City via the Adelaide O-Bahn by re-linking of the J1 and C1 services. The de-linking of these services was a major issue for passengers following the splitting of the contract areas in 2011;
- Major frequency upgrades along Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Magill Road throughout the day and additional capacity along Prospect Road in the AM peak;
- An increase in services to the Royal Adelaide Hospital compared to what is currently provided;
- Better access to the Lyell McEwin Hospital by altering the C1 route, addressing ongoing feedback from northern suburbs communities regarding lack of access to this facility; and,
- Reduction of over 1,000 bus movements per weekday along Currie and Grenfell Streets due to the ability to re-link services.
"This is a great outcome for the many South Australians who will benefit from these upgraded bus services," said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.
"Ultimately, these changes mean that some bus services will be better connected so that passengers on certain routes don’t have to change buses to get to where they want to go.
"It also means some routes will benefit from increased frequency of services while some routes will be expanded to better service important public places, like hospitals.
"Getting a large number of buses off Currie and Grenfell Streets will also help reduce traffic congestion and make travelling through the CBD even smoother.
"The changes to services will coincide with the commencement of a new school term to minimise disruption to students and families.
"The Marshall Government is establishing the South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) to help deliver a better, more efficient and reliable public transport network for all South Australians."
