Signage has been upgraded and almost 30 digital displays will be installed at O-Bahn bus stops, in preparation for the opening of the $160 million O-Bahn tunnel in Adelaide
Signage has been upgraded and almost 30 digital displays will be installed at O-Bahn bus stops, in preparation for the opening of the $160 million O-Bahn tunnel in Adelaide.
Digital bus stops displaying real-time arrivals are to be installed at 27 locations on Grenfell and Currie streets, along with signs providing more detailed information about public transport routes and popular destinations such as the Central Market.
Bus stop locations, parking and loading zones in Grenfell and Currie streets are to be enhanced to make it easier for bus passengers to access services, while also improving the flow of traffic for other road users.
Metrocard validators are also being installed at the middle and rear doors of O-Bahn buses for quicker boarding on Adelaide’s most popular public transport network.
The $2.5 million package of improvements is being rolled out to coincide with the completion of the O-Bahn City Access Project at the end of this year, when O-Bahn buses will begin using the tunnel between Hackney Road and Grenfell Street.
Hundreds of suburban bus stops will also be replaced following the tunnel opening, as well as new digital signage at Paradise and Tea Tree Plaza interchanges providing real-time information about services.
The $160 million O-Bahn City Access Project is creating a dedicated 670-metre tunnel linking priority bus lanes on Hackney Road and Grenfell Street.
The tunnel will improve travel times and reliability for Adelaide’s busiest public transport network, which is used by more than 31,000 people each weekday.
It will also improve travel times and reliability for more than 79,000 road users who use the Inner Ring Route at the intersection of Hackney and Botanic roads.
South Australian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan says the state government has made a record investment in the public transport network, to keep patronage growing and encourage more people to leave the car at home.
“We’re building on our most popular transport network, the O-Bahn, with major infrastructure investments such as the $160 million city tunnel and our $15 million Budget investment to upgrade Park’n’Ride facilities including extra carparks,” he says.
“These additional measures will make the journey even smoother for all who use O-Bahn service by improving access and making it simpler to find and board our buses.
“On average 31,000 people use O-Bahn services each weekday making it our busiest public transport network by far.
“Improvements such as allowing passengers to validate at the middle or rear doors of buses will speed up boarding times and reduce the amount of time buses spend stationery at interchanges and bus stops, making these services even more efficient.”
Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese says he welcomes all improvements to public transport services in the city.
“Digital bus stops will be a great addition to city streets, upgrading the experience for passengers and improving visual amenity,” he says.
“They also support Council’s Smart City Plan and the many initiatives we are rolling out through the city, such as smart parking and smart lighting.”
Consultation has been undertaken with passengers with accessibility needs and city businesses and residents will receive further information ahead of the changes. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.