Time savings from $160 million O-Bahn extension might be lost

TIME savings from the $160 million O-Bahn extension might be eaten up by longer walks for passengers because of potential changes to the service’s bus stops.

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TIME savings from the $160 million O-Bahn extension might be eaten up by longer walks for passengers because of potential changes to the service’s bus stops.

The Transport Department is yet to decide where O-Bahn buses will stop when they get to the city, following the completion of a tunnel from Hackney Rd to Grenfell St in 2017.

O-Bahn buses currently follow three routes once they hit the city, covering North Tce, King William St, Frome Rd, East Tce and Grenfell St.

All the buses are set to arrive at the eastern end of Grenfell St once the tunnel is open.

Removing O-Bahn stops on North Tce and King William Rd might mean longer walks for thousands of workers and students.

The State Government claims the project will save the average O-Bahn user seven minutes a day.

O-Bahn buses at the Paradise Interchange. Pic: Naomi Jellicoe

But some passengers, including Sarah King, are not convinced.

“They need to have a stop (on North Tce),” Ms King, of Greenacres, said.

“I don’t know whether they’ve thought it through properly.

“If you’re working here on King William St, you’re going to have a far bigger walk.”

University student Jordan Belperio questioned if the O-Bahn Project was justified.

“You have to wonder, is it really going to get more (passengers) on?” Mr Belperio said.

The O-Bahn runs more than 1000 bus services, carrying 31,000 passengers, each weekday.

A Transport Department spokeswoman could not provide any details on where O-Bahn bus stops would be once the project was finished.

“Plans are still being finalised in conjunction with Light City Buses, Adelaide City Council and other stakeholders regarding improvements to bus routes,” the spokeswoman said.

“(Plans) will be released once the tunnel is operational.

“The primary objective of any changes will be to ensure we deliver fast, frequent services so even more commuters take up the option of using the O-Bahn.”

Government documents show the number of buses servicing the O-Bahn will increase, although it unclear by how many.

The government says the extension will cut travel times, reduce crashes on Hackney Rd and improve the “amenity” on East Tce.

Many Hackney residents are opposed to the project, arguing a ban on right-hand turns on Hackney Rd will restrict access to their suburbs.

Parklands campaigners also fought to block the project, which will run through Rymill Park.

A survey by Leader Messenger in June of 307 commuters at Paradise and Klemzig interchanges found 54 per cent of commuters preferred the money be spent on building more parking at the interchanges.

Fifty-one per cent said the tunnel extension was not worth the $160 million investment.