Fifteen new buses and almost 600 new weekly services in $19m Hills public transport upgrade

New buses will be added to the fleet and services on transport routes dramatically increased under a commitment to improve Adelaide Hills public transport.

Fifteen new buses will be added to the fleet and there will be 590 more weekly services under a $19m overhaul of Adelaide Hills public transport.

The upgraded service will start from Monday, January 29 – coinciding with the start of the school year – when the first phase of improvements will add an extra 36 bus services during the weekday interpeak between Mount Barker and the city.

It will see a 15-minute frequency on the T840 services each weekday, between 9am and 3pm.

An additional 26 services on Sundays will also start from February 4, bringing it in-line with Saturdays and delivering a 30-minute frequency between 7am and 6pm via route 864F.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing the $19m investment in Adelaide Hills public transport services. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The upgrades are an election commitment by the Malinauskas government and includes 15 new hybrid-diesel buses to join the fleet this year.

From the middle of this year, buses are expected to run on the South Eastern Freeway every six minutes in peak periods and at least every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm.

In total once fully implemented, Hills commuters will have an additional 104 services each weekday, 22 on Saturdays and 48 on Sundays – representing an increase of 590 trips each week. This is a 42 per cent increase on the current services.

The state government has also committed $6m towards an upgrade and more parking at the Crafers Park ‘n’ Ride facility.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the upgraded services would improve access for Hills residents.

“Adelaide Hills commuters have been calling for better, more frequent services and we’re delivering on our commitment to ensure public transport is a great option to get people where they need to go,” he said.

“I’m confident these significant changes can create better opportunities, reduce traffic congestion, and support a more sustainable transport future for the Adelaide Hills.”

Bus driver on the Hills route Ryan Orchard, 23, said it would not only improve the frequency of buses but also make trips faster.

“When you’ve got a full bus we can only do 80km/h on the freeway if you have standing passengers,” Mr Orchard, who has been a driver for two years, said.

“It’s a long way for people to stand as well.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas, Kavel MP Dan Cregan and Mt Barker Mayor David Leach at the announcement. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Independent Member for the Hills electorate of Kavel Dan Cregan said the rapidly growing Hills regions needed better services.

“The Hills are growing rapidly and Mount Barker will be the largest city outside of Adelaide in a generation,” he said.

“We need to keep investing in vital services, including public transport, so I’m very pleased to see this commitment being fulfilled.”

Mr Cregan said while the added busses would “accomodate growth for at least four years”, he would monitor the situation.

“We’re closely monitoring services and service delivery and listening very carefully to our community,” he said.

“If this isn’t adequate, then of course we’ll be knocking on the (Transport) Minister’s and Premier’s door.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the frequency of buses coming down the Freeway would increase dramatically.

Premier Peter Malinauskas talks with South Link bus driver Ryan Orchard. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“These frequent services can be easily accessed from Park ‘n’ Ride facilities, with the Crafers facility currently receiving a $6 million upgrade which will further expand parking options,” he said.

With the expansion of the service, Mr Koutsantonis said five new bus drivers a month would be hired across the system.

“We’ll be out there searching for drivers,” he said.

“For these additional services (in the Hills) we’re advertising now, we’re training now.”

He said the ultimate goal for the area was to provide services so that patrons do “not need to worry about timetables”.

The upgrade would also get cars off the road, Mr Koutsantonis said.

“On a bus you could fill it up with 50 people so that’s 50 cars that are technically off the road,” he said.

“You will see a lot more people leave their cars at home and trust the service to get on a bus.”

However, opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said the move would “only scratch the surface” in dealing with traffic congestion issues.

“Whilst a few extra buses and more services are certainly welcome, this is only going to scratch the surface when it comes to actually giving people better, more efficient, reliable public transport in the Adelaide Hills,” Mr Tarzia said.

Updated timetables and more information can be found on the Adelaide Metro website at adelaidemetro.com.au.