Better city bus link plan for the South Coast
Posted June 13, 2017
Following a strong advocacy campaign by the Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, South Coast residents will be able to have their say on proposed changes to the Link SA Goolwa to Adelaide bus route.
The changes, if approved, will allow residents to take a bus to Noarlunga centre and then transfer to the Seaford train line and various Adelaide Metro bus services for work, study and medical appointments.
The plan for a new commuter-friendly timetable was released for public consultation by the State Government this week.
The timetable would allow commuters to arrive in Adelaide before 9am and head home after 5pm.
“This could be such a game-changer for our community on the South Coast, taking commuter traffic off one of the State’s most dangerous roads at peak times and opening up so many more opportunities for our young people to pursue further studies or find work while staying in the region,” Rebekha said.
“The lack of practical, affordable public transport options was one of the biggest complaints I heard from residents when campaigning during last year’s Federal Election campaign and I’d like to thank the people of the South Coast for filling in the survey we used to convince the State Government and transport company Link SA that the demand was there.
“Being able to go to the Government with the support of 382 local people who were willing to state publicly they would use a commuter service regularly, some 120 of them daily, was the evidence we needed to bring about change.
“When I first took up this issue, I was told by State Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan that bus operators did not believe an early morning bus service to the Fleurieu was financially viable or desired.
“I’d like to thank State Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan and Link SA General Manager Mark Dunlop for giving us a hearing and acting on the evidence put forward by the community.”
Community feedback is now being sought on two options:
Option 1: Services to operate as they are currently, with no changes to the timetable.
Option 2: All existing and new services from the Goolwa and Victor Harbor region will travel to Noarlunga Centre Interchange to enable transfers to the Seaford train and various Adelaide Metro bus services. The benefits of this service would be:
- A new early and late service including a service arriving at 8:53am in Adelaide and departing at 5:20pm
- Increased frequency: Up from three return services on weekdays, two return services on Saturdays and one return service on Sundays to five return services on weekdays and two return services on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
- The introduction of a midday inter-town loop on weekends and public holidays between Encounter Bay and Goolwa
- Cheaper fares for the trip between Goolwa/Victor Harbor and Adelaide, with passengers able to use Metrocard fares from Noarlunga Centre Interchange to Adelaide
- Seniors Card holders will be able to take advantage of the free interpeak travel on Adelaide Metro services
- Passengers being able to also connect with Adelaide Metro bus services to Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre and Marion Shopping Centre, as well as connecting to the train from Noarlunga Centre Interchange.
- Link SA will continue to provide concession cardholders with a 50% reduction on the regular adult fare between Noarlunga Centre Interchange and the Fleurieu region.
Information about the proposed changes can be obtained by emailing or calling the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Community Engagement team at dpti.communityrelations@sa.gov.au or on 1300 794 880.
Community feedback can be provided to Rebekha online on this website or by calling (08) 8398 5566.
Photo: State Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan and Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie at the announcement of a public consultation period for a proposed new bus timetable between Goolwa to Adelaide.