Some bus routes will be scrapped in Government’s drive for savings

BUS routes and train services with low patronage will be scrapped in the State Government’s efficiency drive. In return, commuters will get mobile phone charging points at railway stations.

• Five-minute guide: Everything you need to know about the Budget
• Analysis: This Budget has teeth — can the Libs sell it?
• Around our city: What the Budget means for your area
• Seven TAFEs to close — but funds flow in to education
• Libs pick fights with the wealthy and powerful

BUS routes and train services with low patronage will be scrapped as the State Government seeks to improve efficiencies in the public transport network.

Routes with low passenger numbers will become a casualty as the State Government tries to find $715 million in savings by 2021-22 to deliver on other priorities in its first State Budget since returning to power.

The expertise of Adelaide’s bus operators will be sought in a review establishing which poorly utilised services can be cut.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said discontinuing some bus routes would deliver a $1.1 million saving in this financial year and would increase to $14.8 million per annum — indexed to CPI — from 2019-20.

“The Marshall Liberal Government has a strong plan to improve the public transport network and deliver a better service for South Australians,” he said.

Just what routes will be scrapped will depend on a pending review of the state’s public transport services.

Budget papers say duplicated and poorly patronised services across the bus and rail network will be reviewed.

Opportunities to improve timetables and leveraging bus contractors’ expertise to identify changes that will benefit commuters will also be sought.

OFF THE RECORD: SPECIAL STATE BUDGET PODCAST

The Budget also includes $2.5 million to establish the South Australian Public Transport Authority, and $100,000 to install 10 mobile phone charging stations at suburban train stations.

Mr Knoll said the creation of SAPTA would transform the public transport network into one that would be more “reliable, accessible and better suits the needs of South Australians”.

The review of the bus and rail routes that could be scrapped will prepare for the creation of SAPTA.