Flinders Link train passengers to the university and hospital will have a unique opportunity to set the timetable
Train commuters on the new Flinders hospital and university line will have a chance to determine the timetable. Here’s how.
SA News
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In a rare chance to create a better service for themselves, train commuters at the Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University have been asked to suggest the new Flinders Link train timetable.
Transport Minister Corey Wingard has released for public consultation new timetables for the Tonsley Line, with the soon to be opened extension to the Flinders University oval.
The $125m extension takes the line above and over South Road, and means the entire line will enjoy around 12,000 trips too and from the city each year.
Mr Wingard urged university and hospital commuters to provide feedback at www.adelaidemetro.com.au, especially with information about shift work and irregular university times when students would need transport home.
“Consultation will allow those who specifically intend on using the new line to give their feedback on the timetable,’’ he said.
“There is room to tweak times where necessary for example shift workers so the trains can align with typical start times and scheduling with bus services and so on.”
The new services will result in 236 additional train trips per week – 10 in each direction on standard weekdays (20 trips all up per weekday) and 34 in each direction on weekends (136 trips all up per weekend).
“In total this is approximately 12,000 additional trips, excluding public and school holidays etc that will be provided to meet the needs of our patrons,’’ Mr Wingard said.
“The Marshall Government is committed to delivering better public transport for commuters and that includes consulting with them on the services they’ll be using.
“More than 12,000 additional trips to and from the Flinders precinct and southern suburbs is a massive win for commuters, workers, residents and visitors.
“We’re focused on getting people where they need to go faster so they can spend more time with their families and doing what they love.”
Member for Elder Carolyn Power said those who already used the Tonsley line had welcome the greater frequency of trips.
“I’ve received overwhelming positive feedback since we announced weekend and evening services along the Tonsley Line,’’ she said.
“Residents have been calling for additional services on the Tonsley Line for years so the indicative timetable is a massive win for locals.
“Residents tell me they are so pleased knowing they can now catch the train to the city on the weekends, or if they stay back late at work they will now be able to still catch a train home.
“Safe, affordable and reliable transport is a cornerstone to great cities, and the Tonsley/Flinders Line, with these additional trips, helps make suburbs such as Clovelly Park, Tonsley and Mitchell Park an even greater place to live.
The Flinders Link project was first devised in 2008, but never completed until it became an election issue in 2018.
Work began in 2019, but in April this year, it was revealed the cost of the project had blown out from $86 million to $125 million.