Majority of Adelaide commuters drive to work, which helps to create traffic gridlock

IT isn’t just all the roadworks. Adelaide is Australia’s drive-to-work capital, with an overwhelming majority of workers shunning public transport — which contributes to traffic gridlock.

• Big traffic delays for Southern Expressway
• 400 new buses coming in $300m public transport program
• Delays as stage three of King William St tram works kicks off

ADELAIDE has become Australia’s drive-to-work capital as an overwhelming majority of workers shun public transport, contributing to traffic gridlock.

Census figures released on Monday reveal that 80 per cent of Adelaide workers drove to their place of employment in 2016 — the highest rate of all the Australian capital cities.

The release of the data came after citybound motorists endured long delays on Monday morning because of major road and tramworks.

The beginning of work on King William Rd tramline extension and the redirection of vehicles on Main South Rd between the Southern Expressway contributed to congestion which forced traffic to a halt.

The number of South Australians who travelled to work by car climbed from 522,000 to 540,000 between the 2011 and 2016 Censuses. Workers who used public transport increased slightly from just under 51,000 to 53,000.

RAA senior manager Charles Mountain said many city workers choose to drive because the CBD was reasonably accessible. Mr Mountain said shift workers and people who needed to drop off or pick up children valued the flexibility that a private vehicle provided.

“Adelaide is still somewhat blessed, because people really still do have some options, whereas perhaps in the eastern states those options are far more restricted for most people,’’ he said

“For that reason, people can probably use the transport mode which suits them best on a particular day.’’

Mr Mountain said public transport usage was likely to increase when the current round of tram network extension were completed.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said public transport upgrades would give motorists good alternatives to driving.

“That’s why we’re investing in public transport such as the electrification of the Gawler line, the new O-Bahn project and an extended tram network,’’ Mr Mullighan said.

“And to cater for those driving, we’re making a record investment to improve infrastructure through projects such as the Darlington Upgrade, Torrens to Torrens and Northern Connector.”

Mr Mountain said roadworks designed to reduce traffic congestion were a “double-edged sword” which caused delays while they were underway.

He said tools such as the addinsight smartphone app could help motorists avoid roadworks and delays.

According to the Census, the number of SA residents who walked to work fell from 23,000 to 20,000 between 2011 and 2016.

Bus patronage fell slightly as more people caught the train or tram to work.

More than 7 per cent of SA workers caught public transport, compared to a national rate of 11.5 per cent.