O-Bahn extension feasibility study handed to international experts McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and ARUP
The Marshall Government is pushing ahead with a proposal by the previous Labor government to expand the O-Bahn to Golden Grove, handing a top-level study to international experts.
North & North East
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Northeastern residents are being urged to have their say about the future of public transport, including the possible extension of the O-Bahn to Golden Grove.
The State Government has embarked on a community consultation program for the North East Public Transport Study, which will assess the potential to extend O-Bahn services from Tea Tree Plaza to Golden Grove.
This includes options such as priority bus lanes similar to those installed along Hackney Road and a dedicated off-road corridor like the existing one along the River Torrens.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the O-Bahn Extension Feasibility Study was part of detailed planning work to improve public transport for north-eastern suburbs including Golden Grove, Wynn Vale, Redwood Park, Surrey Downs, Modbury Heights and Ridgehaven.
Mr Knoll said O-Bahn bus services were the most popular public transport services in Adelaide, carrying almost twice as many passengers on average each day than the most popular rail services.
Funding was provided in the State Budget for a new park ‘n’ ride facilitiy at Paradise and expanded parking at Golden Grove.
Mr Knoll said the transport study would explore other opportunities to provide more parking at Paradise, Golden Grove and Klemzig to cater for increasing passengers on the service.
The study will also consider how improved travel times, reliability and access can be achieved for northeastern users of public transport
This will involve analysing how the three existing interchanges at Paradise, Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig operate.
The study is being undertaken by the Public Transport Project Alliance, a partnership between the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) and three international construction and engineering companies — McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and ARUP.
The study started last month and will finished towards the end of 2019.
Mr Knoll said the Marshall Liberal Government had created the South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) to reform Adelaide’s public transport network.
“Through SAPTA and the reform process we want to make public transport, faster, more efficient and more customer focussed,” he said.
“We’re launching the North East Public Transport Study to investigate how we can provide better public transport services for the people of the northeastern suburbs.”
Mr Knoll said the O-Bahn already provided an excellent service.
“This study will explore how we can build on or even extend that service to Golden Grove,” he said.
Local Liberal MP Paula Luethen said people wanted improved public transport in the northeast.
“I encourage my local community to get involved and have a say about their views on better public transport solutions,” she said.
This included whether they wanted the O-Bahn expanded to Golden Grove and suggestions on expanding the Golden Grove park ‘n’ ride.
Tea Tree Gully mayor Kevin Knight said he was a regular user of public transport, especially the O-Bahn.
“I welcome more and better travel opportunities for residents living in the City of Tea Tree Gully,” he said.
Mr Knight said the extension of the O-Bahn and expansion of park ‘n’ ride facilities at Golden Grove and Modbury were key election promises for the Marshall Government. “I am keen to see them deliver on these promises,” he said.
Mr Knight said anything which improved convenience, travel times, reliability and access to public transport was welcome.
“The value of improved mobility on social inclusion and community wellbeing should not be underestimated,” he said.
Mr Knight said council staff were working closely with DPTI and its consultants.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the study progresses and discussing the final report,” he said.
Mr Knight encouraged all residents to have their say during the consultation period.
The launch of the study last week came as community information sessions were held by DPTI on the $20 million upgrade of Golden Grove Rd between Surrey Downs and Golden Grove.
More information about the North East Public Transport Study can be found here or complete the public survey
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