Adelaide public transport users face single fare price rise from July

The opposition has called on the government to rule out any further fare increases.

Adelaide commuters purchasing single trips to travel short distances on public transport are paying the highest fares in the country – and they’re about to go up.

A single bus, train or tram trip will currently set users back $4.25 during peak travel times regardless of the distance travelled or mode of transport taken.
And commuters face a 15 cents hike to $4.40 on the MetroCard single fare come July.

Current prices compare to a $4 adult peak fare paid by Sydney metro and train customers travelling up to 10 kilometres.

Single fares on Adelaide Metro services will rise by 15c. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Bus passengers making a journey during peak hours pay even less – $3.20 for trip under 3 kilometres.

In Melbourne, a trip lasting up to two hours through zone 2, the city’s outer suburbs, costs $3.30 for those paying as they go with myki Money. Meanwhile, travelling through one zone in Brisbane is just $3.55.

Adelaide has no zone system, meaning commuters travelling short distances pay the same as those traveling further.

Adelaide’s previous two-section fare system, which saw users travelling short distances pay less, was axed by the former Liberal Government due to concerns of fare evasion.

While that move was criticised by then opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan, according to the ABC, a State Government spokesperson said there were currently no plans to reintroduce the system.

The spokesperson said he cost of public transport in SA was highly subsidised and “very competitive”.

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia called on the government to rule out any further increases. Picture: Emma Brasier

“The cost of public transport in Adelaide is very competitive when compared with other Australian states and comparing single use short trip fares does not provide a full picture,” the spokesperson said.

“An Adelaide Metro regular 28 pass is $112.1, which works out to be $4 a day.

“This compares to Melbourne and Sydney 28 day passes which are $178.08 and $200 respectively.

“Brisbane, Perth and Canberra do not have weekly or 28 days passes, but a conservative comparison based on 5 return peak trips a week would work out to be $142 for Brisbane ($7.10 per day), $163.2 for Perth ($8.16 per day) and $128.8 for Canberra ($6.44 per day).”

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said South Australians were struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“With Peter Malinauskas refusing to offer broad relief, Labor must rule out charging public transport users more to travel further,” he said.

Originally published as Adelaide public transport users face single fare price rise from July