Future of City Connector bus route under a cloud in a bid to improve the city’s public transport
The free City Connector bus could lose more than half of its stops, with North Adelaide residents expected to cop the brunt of the changes. SEE THE PROPOSED ROUTES
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More than half the stops on the City Connector free bus route face the axe as part of a State Government push to improve public transport in the CBD and North Adelaide.
Adelaide City Council will discuss the South Australian Public Transport Authority’s proposed changes, which includes cutting 35 of 65 stops, on Tuesday night.
Many stops would be removed in North Adelaide, as well as King William St and North Tce where the free tram service runs.
Under the proposed changes, it would cost the government and the council $630,000 per year to operate the service, used by up to 18,000 people per week, rather than $923,000 .
North Adelaide ward councillors have disagreed with the planned route, and wanted the “much-loved” service to continue its presence in the area.
Cr Phillip Martin said the authority’s proposed changes amounted to an “emasculation” of the free service.
“It is a slap in the face to people who thought we cared about them,” Cr Martin said.
A council report proposed lobbying for stops to remain along MacKinnon Parade, Jerningham St and Kingston Tce, to service the Melbourne St, precinct, and Hill, Ward and Buxton streets retained to service western areas of North Adelaide.
The authority’s proposal would have a “single, out-and-back service” through the centre of North Adelaide to Victoria Sq.
Cr Mary Couros said the community risked losing a convenient transport option to get from the south of the city.
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“It is predominantly needed in the north because we do not have a tram and we don’t have anything else down that way,” Cr Couros said.
She said she was working on another route proposal to put before council, which could possibly go closer to the Aquatic Centre.
Consultation about the service’s future is expected to start this month.
Last month, the council supported Cr Franz Knoll’s push to ask the government to consider all bus and tram services to be free within the CBD and North Adelaide.