East end tram riders and those bound for Festival Centre give new lines thumbs up

IT had a reputation as another of Adelaide’s never-ending, late and over-budget infrastructure builds, but now our tram users are happy.

First trams at the new Festival Plaza stop. Fiona and Peter Carey from Minnipa on Eyre Peninsula, with daughters Megan and Ella and Minnipa and Christine Sampson and Marissa Veitch from Kangaroo Island. (AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards)

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CITY commuters will do battle with the new CBD tram service for the first time on Monday morning, along with numerous improved bus services.

Saturday and Sunday joy-riders have used the tram service without incident, but hurried commuters will need to be alert as they navigate the new services during peak hour.

Passengers enjoying the last days of the school holidays were generally happy with the new service on Saturday despite it having been completed six months late and with a budget overrun that may exceed $40 million.

Ivana Jaric, Anna Francis, Aleksandra Jaric and daughter Ariana, 18 months, at the new Botanic Garden tram stop. Picture: Tom Huntley

Aleksandra Jaric rode with her daughter, sister and a friend from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to the end of the line at the Botanic Garden.

“It was an easier, comfy ride, especially with a pram and a baby and very quick too,” she said.

“We went back the same way and it was much better than waiting for a bus.”

Electronic destination signs at the front and side of trams are an aid for passengers to identify the right tram while a YouTube video by the Transport Department explains the new system.

Anyone requiring further assistance can call 1300 311 108.