Concerns Hills travellers are stranded over public holiday shutdowns
Claims are emerging that Adelaide Hills dwellers are being left in the lurch as a key public transport source fails to operate over public holidays.
Over the recent Easter long-weekend one Onkaparinga resident claims it was impossible to access public transport options for four consecutive days, from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday morning.
Local Joel Taggart claims the root cause of their frustration is the 835 Lobethal to Mt Barker bus route. It runs from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, and services towns like Balhannah, Verdun, and Hahndorf.
It’s the only way for public transport users in the area to connect to towns with larger transport options like Mt Barker or Aldgate, he said.
Taggart said locals unable to travel to these towns are left with no way to travel into the Adelaide CBD and beyond, stranding them at home. It’s something that the 10,000 strong population deal with during weekends, and every public holiday including over Christmas and the New Year.
He has been campaigning for better transport services for the Adelaide Hills region for 30 years and says he is increasingly concerned about the impact on the community, and the lack of movement from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
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“I’ve tried lobbying for weekend services for 18 months now and had no luck,” Taggart said.
He sent through a recent proposal assessing weekday bus needs and re-allocating funds to a weekend service.
Robert Stopp, the Executive Director of Public Transport South Australia replied on behalf of then Minister Emily Burke, saying: “The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has noted your proposal and will consider this as part of a holistic review of the network.”
The correspondence hasn’t provided him with much assurance that a more concrete solution will be forthcoming, despite on earlier communication from the department last year that suggested the idea had merit. He has also reached out to the new Minister, Joe Szakacs, and has yet to receive a response.
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Joel has a list of reasons why increased transport services should become a priority for the government, saying “We’re obviously in a cost-of-living crisis, a fuel crisis, even a mental health crisis. I think people should have every option available to get out and about and live an enjoyable and fulfilling life.”
The recent Oakbank Racing Easter Carnival was an example where there could be significant social and economic benefits to the community if public transport options were readily available on public holidays.
“These are times when people in Adelaide or metro areas are keen to travel around the [Adelaide] Hills and regions and spend their money,” he said.
“It just feels like this is a little section of Australia that’s really quite forgotten.”
In response to questions, a government spokesperson said “significant improvements” had been made to public transport in the Hills, noting the 835 bus was a weekday-only service due to low demand on the weekends and public holidays.
“In the past two years, we have added nearly 600 buses each week between the Hills and the city – a 42 per cent increase in frequency – delivering benefits for both commuters and road users,” he said.
“Separately, the State Government is undertaking a review of regional public transport services, which has sought feedback from community members and key stakeholders
“That feedback is being considered and will be crucial in shaping the next 30 years of public transport services in regional parts of our state.”
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