Motorists welcome fewer bus routes and stops as traffic flow eases
The RAA has backed plans to cut bus stops and routes in exchange for more frequent services as it will free up traffic flow on Adelaide’s key commuter roads.
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The motoring lobby has backed cuts to bus routes and bus stops, because commuting times for drivers will improve.
RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said after reviewing the changes revealed by The Advertiser last week, the organisation, which represents 700,000 motorists, was happy with the planned changes.
“RAA is pleased to hear the Marshall Government’s plan to roll out more frequent, faster and better connected bus services in metropolitan Adelaide later this year,’’ he said.
“Easing traffic congestion and improving the efficiency of our state’s public transport system is critically important.
“From surveying our members we know that frequency is a significant factor when people choose to use public transport and we’ll be taking a closer look at how the proposed changes will impact traffic flow.”
In total, 500 bus stops will disappear, the blow softened by classifying 1089 more stops as “GoZones” where buses arrive more frequently.
The State Government is sticking to claims the service will improve, and says the changes are not because of budget cuts, but will not say how many routes will be cut.
Mr Mountain said the changes would “lure more people to consider public transport use’’.
But this has been rejected by public transport user groups and the Opposition, which is concerned about the new average 800m walk to get to the nearest bus stop.
Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis cited Victorian Government statistics which showed the average Melbourne walk to a “high frequency” bus stop was 400m, and under the proposed changes in Adelaide it would be 800m to a “GoZone” stop.
Adelaide already has one of the lowest use rates of public transport in Australia, only 8 per cent of the population commute by bus, train or tram.
Despite buses running for 10 per cent more time since 2011, there has been no increase in passengers. People for Public Transport spokeswoman Margaret Dingle said it welcomed the increased number of GoZones, but not cuts to stops and routes.
“There is no need to take out stops and we are concerned about the average 800m walk to a GoZone which is OK for a young person but for some people, that is a very long way,’’ she said.
“We say they have to expand the system and put in more funding.’’
People have until July 31 to comment on the website, dpti.sa.gov.au about how the changes affect them.