Uber-style buses to be trialled in Barossa and Mount Barker in transport shake up
Uber-style buses will be trialled as part of a shake-up of the state’s public transport system. But questions have been raised as to how the contract was awarded.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Hop on hop off public transport on the cards
- How to get the most from your Advertiser digital subscription
Uber-style buses will be trialled in the Barossa Valley and Mount Barker under a $1.7 million deal that will allow passengers to download an app and request a vehicle on demand.
But the deal has come under fire from the Opposition, after leaked documents showed the lucrative contract did not go out to open tender.
The document also reveals the Department of Transport has been in discussions with Uber about using its traditional ride-sharing services as part of the state’s transport mix.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll confirmed the new Uber-style bus trial, following questions from The Advertiser, as part of a major shake-up for public transport users.
Similar to ride sharing passenger services, commuters will be able to download an app and request a vehicle, which will pick them up from their home or within 60-130m from their location.
Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis has raised questions about why NSW company Keolis Downer, whom Mr Knoll visited in Newcastle earlier in the year, received the contract.
The leaked Transport Department document to Mr Knoll, shows eight applications were received for the proposal as part of a “select market approach”.
As part of a six-month trial, passengers in Mount Barker and the Barossa Valley will be able to book a ride on the 12-seater Mercedes Sprint bus.
Mr Knoll said passengers would be able to track where their bus was and order it to their location.
“In its simplest terms, these on-demand bus services will operate in a similar way to most ride sharing apps that millions of people use right across the country,” he said.
Mr Koutsantonis said the awarding of the contract, without going through a tender process, raised serious questions.
“How was Keolis Downer chosen?” Mr Koutsantonis said. “An exclusive contract given to anyone to conduct trials gives that company an unbelievable head start.”
Mr Koutsantonis also questioned Keolis Downer’s record.
The Newcastle Herald last year reported the NSW Auditor-General found punctuality for Newcastle services decreased by 3 per cent after Keolis Downer took on the contract.