Catching a bus from Modbury to Adelaide set for better ride if Tea Tree Gully Council gets its way with O-Bahn vision
CONSTRUCTION of the $160 million O-Bahn tunnel is already well underway but should more attention be given to the line’s three interchanges? One local council thinks so.
A MAJOR upgrade to Tea Tree Plaza bus interchange will form the centre of O-Bahn discussions between Tea Tree Gully Council, the Transport Department and three local MPs.
A planned meeting to discuss the service, which is used by more than 30,000 northeast residents every week, comes after the council’s two heaviest hitters called for a major upgrade at the busy interchange.
Council chief executive officer John Moyle said an upgrade was “vital to economic growth” in the region.
He said an upgrade of the bus terminal, built in the 1980s, as well as a planned $200 million redevelopment of adjoining Westfield Tea Tree Plaza would compliment the council’s vision for a major refurbishment of Modbury.
“We have been in recent talks with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure on working together to make this community gateway safer and more appealing for commuters,” Mr Moyle said.
“Current council priorities are to improve paths and reserves adjoining the interchange, including lighting.
“Meadowvale and Seymour reserves will both be upgraded as a result.”
Mayor Kevin Knight said the interchange needed “a bit of a tidy up”.
“It’s just a giant bus stop, it works and it works very well, but it’s a giant bus stop,” Mr Knight said.
“On a cold wet day, or when it’s really hot, it’s not a particularly pleasant place to be.
“I’m looking forward to the tunnel being built.
“It needs a bit of a tidy up. We need better interface with the Tea Tree Plaza. It also needs better signage.”
Mr Knight previously told Leader Messenger Modbury’s interchange should be undercover and have cafes and shops lining walkways joining the bus terminal to the shopping centre.
A State Government spokesman confirmed with the Leader Messenger last week the Transport Department has an upgrade of the interchange on its radar.
The spokesman said the department had been working closely with local members Labor MPs Tom Kenyon, Jennifer Rankine and Frances Bedford about “potential options to upgrade and increase capacity” of the interchange.
“We are eager to continue working with local MPs and the council on how best we can deliver future upgrades to this important public transport interchange,” he said.
The spokesman did not provide timelines or costings on any details on any specific plans discussed.
Member for Newland Tom Kenyon said he would “love to see a spruce up of the TTP interchange”.
“The Tea Tree Plaza interchange and surrounding suburbs will greatly benefit from the potential upgrade,” he said.
Commuters sureveyed on Tuesday morning bus services said they would welcome an upgrade.
Many said while the service was good overall, having an enclosed interchange and better pedestrian connections from carparks and reserves was needed.