Trains will be offline during the weekend of the Australia v India Test

An “appalling” State Government decision to cancel train services on the weekend of the Adelaide Test match will remain, despite a furious backlash — and Transport Minister Stephan Knoll has explained why he says the closure could not be deferred.

• OPINION: Knoll must reverse this utterly stupid decision
• REACTION: ‘The most idiotic time to close down the trains’
• INFORMATION: Bus replacements for suspended trains

An “appalling” State Government decision to cancel all train services on the weekend of the Adelaide Test match will remain despite a fierce public backlash.

Despite strong lobbying from the SA Cricket Association and Stadium Management Authority after the decision was quietly announced on Thursday evening, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll announced early Friday afternoon that that shutdown would proceed.

International experts will be in Adelaide that weekend to oversee the relocation of the control centre from the city to Dry Creek and were not available at other times, Mr Knoll said.

However, the minister conceded that the situation “should not have been allowed to happen”.

“What we are dealing with is a difficult, frustrating and outrageous situation. I definitely share the concerns of the South Australian Cricket Association,” Mr Knoll said.

“We shouldn’t be in this situation now where we are making these compromised decisions.

“But there are some unavoidable reasons why we have had to make this decision. We are moving our Operations Control Centre and that is as delicate an operation as there is.

“We have global experts in Adelaide at the moment to get this done and we need to make sure this works.”

SACA boss Keith Bradshaw and Transport Minister Stephan Knoll leave crisis talks over the train closure today. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Knoll said it was critical that these experts oversaw the relocation — but the State Government would throw “every available resource” at getting fans to the cricket.

“Every five minute down the four major train routes, we are going to have a substitute bus,” he said.

SACA paid a significant fee for the free public transport for Test cricket fans — but chief executive Keith Bradshaw said at this stage he would not be seeking compensation for the “very disappointing” decision.

“We’ve seen arguably one of the biggest public transport stuff-ups in history,” said Labor leader Peter Malinauskas.

“What we understand from inquiries this morning is that many South Australian cricket attendees have already paid for this service through their ticket ... and now that very train service has been cut.

“It’s an appalling decision and it goes beyond Stephan Knoll ... Steven Marshall should get on the phone and overturn this decision.”

The Department was previously going to conduct the two-day rail closure — originally explained as being “the upgrade and testing of essential operational systems”, this weekend.

But this has been moved to the following weekend, meaning no trains will be operational when tens of thousands of cricket lovers descend on the Adelaide Oval on the weekend of December 8 and 9.

Trains will be offline over the weekend of the Test match. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Tom Koutsantonis said the decision was “beyond stupid”. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The Department said in a statement trains would be replaced on all lines with substitute buses over the weekend.

“Extra substitute bus services will also be in place to cater for spectators travelling to and from the Australia v India Test Match at Adelaide Oval,” the Transport Department statement said.

A Cricket Australia spokesman told The Advertiser they were “deeply disappointed” for Test cricket fans.

“We will be urging the State Government to immediately reconsider their plans,” he said.

“The Adelaide Test is an iconic, globally recognised event and a major tourism driver for the state and for thousands of Test cricket fans.”

SACA chief Keith Bradshaw this morning said the association found out late last night that the trains would be suspended during the Test. It will be meeting the Government at midday to try to persuade it to reverse its plans.

Labor Transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said the decision was “irresponsible” and Premier Steven Marshall needed to reverse the decision.

“There are 52 weekends a year and the State Government has chosen the one when the Test is on,” he said.

Crowds flock in to the new Southern Stand before the start of play. Picture: Calum Robertson

“It is beyond stupid, it is beyond incompetent.

“It is an iconic event, that promotes Adelaide to the world and brings people to the city from interstate and overseas … and there are going to be no trains running.”

The Advertiser asked the Department why the two-day rail closure had to be rescheduled to the weekend of the Test match.

A department spokesperson said: “It should be noted that Carols by Candlelight is scheduled for the following weekend and the weekend after that is the last weekend before Christmas, which is important for city traders.”

The Department also announced that additional late night rail closures would also occur on all lines, with trains replaced with substitute buses from 7.30pm from December 2 to December 7 and December 10 to December 14.

It said those works were required to make way for the construction of SAHMRI 2 on North Tce.