Burnside Council may approve 12-month free community bus trial for Mt Lofty walkers from September
Walking from Waterfall Gully up to Mt Lofty is part of many people’s weekend – but getting a park is a big problem. A new bus service trial may solve that.
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- Burnside Council considers community bus for Mt Lofty walkers
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A 12-month trial of a free weekend community bus ferrying walkers to the base of Mt Lofty could begin as early as September.
The $60,000 service could run from Burnside Council’s civic centre in Tusmore to the Waterfall Gully car park, servicing nearly 100 walkers a day.
The council says there are “continued traffic safety and parking issues on Waterfall Gully Rd”, as bushwalkers flock to Mt Lofty every weekend.
It has proposed to run a 19-seater bus from 7am to midday during summer and 8am to 1pm during winter – with up to five pick up and return times per day – with mornings the most popular time for walkers.
The service would run every Saturday and Sunday of the year except for days of extreme weather.
Elected members will consider the trial at a meeting of council on Tuesday night.
A council survey of 267 local walkers in February revealed more than half said they park at the base of Mt Lofty, while a further 38 per cent parked along Waterfall Gully Rd.
An overwhelming 85 per cent of respondents said they would use a council shuttle bus to avoid parking congestion.
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Burnside Cr Henry Davis said it was a “nightmare” for locals and tourists to access the “iconic” Mt Lofty walk.
“The bus service could transport up to 10,000 people a year, making it easier to access and reduce the impact on local residents,” Cr Davis said.
“Congestion at Waterfall Gully is nightmarish, this new service would help alleviate these issues.”
Local walker Avril Tajnikar said parking at the end of Waterfall Gully Rd had put her off tackling Mt Lofty more regularly.
“I think it is a really great idea,” Ms Tajnikar said.
“It can be really difficult getting a park at Waterfall Gully so this would make me want to go back again.”
If approved, the council would require State Government permission to install a bus stop in the Waterfall Gully car park.
