EXTRA SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM

There are some relatively simple measures that should be introduced to significantly improve the service delivery to Adelaide.  With some exceptions, Adelaide's public transport services operate predominantly between 6am and Midnight.  By this I mean services arrive in the City after 6am and last services leave the City before Midnight.  

I did say that there are some exceptions to this rule but on the whole this is the norm, something that dates back to when electric trams ruled the streets of Adelaide, some 60-70 years ago.  Back in 1950's for example, the street lights were even turned off in the wee small hours of the morning.  The only people out and about were the local milkies, News Agents doing their deliveries, Emergency service workers and a handful of other workers. Pubs and clubs were not open, there were no 24/7 service stations, many factories did not operate through the night.  People who went out socialising to the local dance, milkbar, pub or the theatre were home and in bed before Midnight.  That was just how our society was and public transport operating times reflected that.

During WWII many Munitions Factories at Finsbury and Penfield operated to Midnight and as a result the SAR and MTT operated 'Special' After Midnight train and tram services to cater for these workers.  Even more recently, the Holden factory at Elizabeth had it's late shift conclude after Midnight and as a result the last train departed GMH Elizabeth at 12.42am.

Our society is much different today than it was back in the 1950's.  We have 24/7 service stations and convenience stores dotted around Adelaide, pubs and clubs are open to the early hours of the morning most nights of the week.  There are many more businesses that operate through the small hours of the morning than there was 60 years ago.  People go out and socialise at restaurants, pubs, clubs, the casino, theatre and cinema's almost on a daily basis.  We even have night schools, TAFESA have night courses that conclude at 9pm.  Many students don't rush home as they often frequent the coffee shop or a restaurant to unwind. Many of these establishments are open until after 1am.  Not forgetting the general public socialising there is also the staff, many of whom are young people finding their way in the workforce.

Sadly, our public transport services do not go anywhere near catering for our altered lifestyle and for the most part, services are stuck in the 1950's.  99% of trains have departed Adelaide by midnight with the exception of the lightly patronised Belair line.  It's last train departs at 12.21am.  The last tram to Glenelg rolls through the City at about 12.40am and then that is it for public transport until 4.50am when the first bus on the O-Bahn arrives and connects with the first bus to Adelaide Airport.  95% of Adelaide's public transport services will not have their first services arrive in the City until after 6am.  Cross suburban and rail feeder services have a later start and earlier finish in the evening yet they cover more of Adelaide suburbs than radial routes from the CBD.

I propose running extra AM & PM services as follows:

• Gawler Central train - First train departs Gawler Central 3.40am, 4.10am, 4.40am
• Gawler Central train - Last trains departs Adelaide 12.20am, 12.50am, 1.30am
• Seaford train - First train departs Seaford 3.50am 4.20am, 4.50am
• Seaford train - Last train departs Adelaide 12.20am 12.50am, 1.30am
• Outer Harbor train - First train departs Outer Harbor 4.20am, 4.50am
• Outer Harbor train - Last train departs Adelaide 1.00am, 1.40am
• Tram should operate 24/7
• Route 864 - First bus departs Mount Barker 4.00am, 4.40am, 5.20am
• Routes 400, 411, 442, 451, 491 connects with first & last train
• Routes 721, 733, 743, 747, 750, 741 connects with first & last train 
• Route 224 - First bus departs Elizabeth 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route 228 - First bus departs Smithfield 4.10am, 4.40am, 5.10am
• Route 157 - First bus departs Largs Bay 4.40am, 5.10am
• Route B10 - First bus departs Magill 4.30am, 5.00am, 5.30am
• Route B10 - First bus departs West Lakes 4.20am, 4.50am, 5.20am
• Route 254 - First bus departs Port Adelaide 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route 271 - First bus departs Tea Tree Plaza 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route M44 - First bus departs Golden Grove 3.50am, 4.20am, 4.50am
• Route M44 - First bus departs Marion Centre 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route G10 - First bus departs Blair Athol 4.20am, 4.50am, 5.20am
• Route G20 - First bus departs Aberfoyle Park 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route 721 - First bus departs Noarlunga Centre 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route H30 - First bus departs West Lakes 4.00am, 4.30am, 5.00am
• Route H30 - First bus departs Rostrevor 4.30am, 5.10am

Last buses on most of these routes should be between 1.00am-1.30am.

Furthermore, some of the After Midnight services should be altered to standard routes with some of them operating 7 days a week.  Bus routes that should operate 24/7 should be M44, 224, 721, 157, 864, H30, G10/G20 as well as the tram.

Well this is my my vision for a better public transport system which would cater for the community and it's ever changing lifestyles.