Latest State Government figures show public transport patronage in South Australia is on the rise
Public transport patronage in South Australia has risen by 1.66 million journeys in the last year, according to figures recently released by the State Government.
The total patronage for the year 2013-14 was 63.31 million, compared to 61.65 million the previous year.
Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan says there is an increase of more than 2.6 per cent across all modes, which supports the State Government’s investment of more than $2.2 billion to revitalise the public transport network.
Mullighan says the closures of Gawler, Outer Harbour, Tonsley, Noarlunga and Belair lines over the past several years for improvements such as re-sleepering, electrification and signalling works, had significantly reduced capacity on the network, resulting in reduced patronage and deterring people from public transport.
“I’m pleased that as services have returned to normal, patronage is returning to our improved public transport system,” he says.
Figures show that in 2013/14 more than 341,000 extra trips were made on buses, compared to 2012/13.
“These figures are encouraging, and we’re also pleased to see better on-time running across the network,” says Mullighan.
“We have seen a remarkable transformation of our State’s transport network over the past few years, including the re-sleepering of our rail lines, new signalling, upgraded stations and the electrification and extension of the Noarlunga line.
“We are putting new electric trains into service and this is on top of new trams on our extended tram line; we are expanding and modernising our bus fleet, and have doubled the capacity of our Park ’n’ Ride facilities.”
Mullighan says through continued investment in the public transport network, such as projects like the $160 million O-Bahn city access tunnel and the replacement of older buses with air-conditioned and more accessible buses, the South Australian Government will continue to improve the delivery of services across the state.
Total patronage for each year
2009-10: 66.51 million
2010-11: 64.19 million
2011-12: 61.87 million
2012-13: 61.65 million
2013-14: 63.31 million