Limestone Coast are being invited to help shape the state’s public transport network for the next 30 years through face to face engagement sessions and an online survey.
Following the launch of the Department’s first Transport Strategy earlier this year, consultation for South Australia’s Public Transport Strategy has started, giving community and stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in on what’s important for the future of public transport.
South Australia’s public transport network aims to connect people to where they need to go, now and in the future, by providing convenient, frequent and efficient services, making public transport the travel mode of choice.
A growing population and increasing public transport patronage, as well as rising traffic congestion, are key factors in why South Australia needs to future-proof this network to addresses the needs of the state for the next 30 years.
Feedback on the current and future needs of South Australians will be recorded through an online survey, as well as through industry engagement, to inform a Public Transport Strategy that will help support the Department in making public transport and infrastructure decisions.
To complement this work, a Regional Public Transport Review has also commenced.
The Regional Review seeks to better understand the movement of people and how it uses public transport services within regional communities. This will identify current needs and gaps in current services and opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability of services across the state.
South Australia has an extensive regional public transport network that includes 19 different regions, and the Regional Review will provide recommendations to enhance this network.
Feedback can be provided by attending face to face sessions in regional hubs including Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, Renmark and Victor Harbor, as well as online.
Details of the face-to-face sessions and the online survey for both the Regional Review and the Public Transport Strategy can be found here.
Department for Infrastructure and Transport Service Planning and Customer Experience Director Michelle Spagnoletti said engagement with communities and stakeholders on the Public Transport Strategy and Regional Review is being conducted at the same time, to provide the Department with a full picture of the public transport needs across the state.
“Our state provides a number of public transport services across regional SA, including services across 19 regions,” she said.
“Through this review, we will be able to focus on identifying key needs and gaps in current services for regional communities and recommend improvements.
“The goal is to provide access to integrated, accessible and effective public transport services that meet local needs, keeping communities well-serviced and connected.”
A face to face session will be held in the Blue Lake city on June 10 from 4.30pm-6pm at the Mount Gambier RSL and District Bowling Club.
Some of the considerations that will be front and centre for the review:
Bus is the primary mode of public transport in regional areas.
Bus services vary from region to region, with differing timetables and days of operation.
The network is designed to connect residents to major service centres, educational institutions and key retail hubs. This facilitates easier access to essential services.
The regional population landscape in South Australia is changing. Population growth is set to increase in the regions. However, we are also experiencing an increasing aging population.
We know some people need to travel long distances to access vital services.
Comfort and safety of passengers is important as buses on open roads travel at faster speeds.
Reaching a desired destination in the region can require transferring routes. It may also involve different ticketing arrangements across the public transport network.
