Premier Steven Marshall signals changes to bus reform after fierce community backlash

Work has already started on making a bus lane for this road – but now the stop is due to be cut. But Premier Steven Marshall is indicating that the Government will change some of the much-maligned reforms.

• Full list of bus stops that would be cut under the reform
• The initial announcement of the bus reforms

Premier Steven Marshall has signalled he is getting ready to wind back controversial parts of the State Government’s bus network overhaul, after significant community backlash over plans to cut stops.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll launched the reform a fortnight ago, saying the Government would deliver more frequent services but also shut stops that are little used.

The Opposition has raised concerns that 1000 bus stops will be closed, or no longer take passengers other than school students. Northern suburbs Labor MP Blair Boyer also says that works currently underway to build new pick up lanes along Golden Grove Rd will be pointless when the stops they are meant to serve are axed under the changes.

Plans for dedicated bus bays on Golden Grove Rd - but these stops are planned to be abolished.

The Government is currently conducting public consultation, set to finish at the end of next month, with changes set to come into force at the end of the year.

Mr Marshall said Cabinet would receive an update on the plan on Monday, and was willing to change direction based on public feedback.

“One of the things that we will be looking at is an interim update on the feedback that we have received with regards to the bus reform,” Mr Marshall said on Sunday.

“It’s fair to say that there are some strong opinions.

“We will be taking them all into account.

“We have said from day one that we are open for feedback.

“There have been some excellent suggestions that have been brought forward.

“There have been a lot of good submissions to us from MPs, from local people within their communities.

“We are listening to it all.

“I think we have proven ourselves ... to be flexible (and) a government that does listen to the people of SA.”

“One of the things that we will be looking at is an interim update on the feedback that we have received with regards to the bus reform,” Mr Marshall said on Sunday.

The Government is facing growing calls to release the full list of bus stops slated for closure. It has set up a website showing planned changes to current routes, but not a comprehensive list of all proposed changes.

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said people who lived near bus stops that were be cut also faced losses on their house prices.

He has cited commentary from expert analysts including Realestate.com.au that “good public transport can improve the liveability of an area, and indirectly increase property prices by increasing the demand there is to live there.”

Mr Mullighan said: “Steven Marshall’s decision to cut more than 1000 bus stops and slash the number of bus routes is bound to have a negative impact on the property value of thousands of South Australians”.

Construction work on dedicated bus bays on Golden Grove Rd, which will be redundant as the bus stops are planned to be abolished under State Government overhaul of public transport.

Mr Boyer said the changes in Golden Grove, just outside of his electorate and in the Government’s most marginal seat, showed the reform had been poorly thought through.

“They’ve started building indentations for buses that won’t come,” he said.

“You couldn’t make it up.”