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Mount Barker declaresUber-style bus trials a winner

They’ve been hailed as the Ubers of the bus business and Hills residents are already jumping on-board on-demand transport trials.

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An Uber-style bus service trial is being used four times more than expected, the State Government says.

The On-Demand Bus Service trial in the Barossa Valley and Mount Barker has been embraced by communities, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll told the Sunday Mail.

State Government figures show that in the fourth week of the trial in Mount Barker, there were more than 1000 trips a week – four times more than the initial target.

Bus driver Bob Evans behind the wheel of an On-Demand Bus Services at Mount Baker Park & Ride.
Bus driver Bob Evans behind the wheel of an On-Demand Bus Services at Mount Baker Park & Ride.

Mr Knoll said that in the Barossa Valley, there continued to be steady growth, week on week, with 165 trips in the last week – double the average for an existing Dial-a-Ride service already operating in the region.

Mr Knoll said the Liberals went to the election with a promise of delivering better public transport services.

“On-Demand Bus Service is delivering just that,” Mr Knoll said.

“Both local communities have given the On-Demand Bus Service almost a perfect score out of five when they’ve rated their experience.

“So far we’ve seen demand grow week on week in both trial areas, which is a clear sign these On-Demand buses are providing a better service for passengers.”

In both trial sites, passengers are waiting on average just over 10 minutes for the bus to arrive.

In Mount Barker, passengers are having to walk an average of 101m for a pick-up location. In the Barossa, the average distance is 88m.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/adelaide-hills/mount-barker-declaresuberstyle-bus-trials-a-winner/news-story/c9563435cc617068dd46dc5b60790bcf