Adelaide O-Bahn

[ozbob]

Adelaide O-Bahn City Access project

--> http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/public_transport_projects/o-bahn_upgrade_projects

The State Government's proposal to provide quicker, more reliable access for O-Bahn buses into the city could also dramatically transform the city's East End.

The Premier Jay Weatherill and the Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan have unveiled a revised proposal for a $160 million guided bus tunnel from Hackney Road to the CBD.

The proposal includes a 500-metre bus tunnel from Hackney Road to a realigned Rundle Road to provide quicker more reliable access for Adelaide's most heavily patronised public transport service.

The improved plan will have numerous benefits including:

    better travel times for O-Bahn bus passengers
    on average, daily commute times reduced by 7 minutes
    increased capacity and reduced congestion on Adelaide's Inner City Ring Route
    returning more than 3000m2 to the Parklands
    significant improvements to the East End precinct
    enhanced event space in the East Parklands and opportunities to further improve the Parklands experience for all
    support about 450 jobs during construction
    provide for future EastLINK tram corridor

The project represents another important investment in the state's public transport network ...

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> O-Bahn extension: Majority of commuters prefer upgraded interchanges, parking

[pandmaster]

The Advertiser --> O-Bahn extension: Majority of commuters prefer upgraded interchanges, parking

Adelaide: learn from Brisbane. Do not continue the failed bus paradigm.

More parking is definitely the solution.

[ozbob]

Update

O-Bahn City Access Project Impact Report

>> http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/public_transport_projects/o-bahn_city_access/latest_news_and_construction_updates

[ozbob]

Bus driver trapped for more than an hour after two-bus collision on the O-Bahn. Two passengers also injured. #9News pic.twitter.com/D0SbsvK0Rv

— Nine News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) January 27, 2016

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Bus driver trapped for almost an hour, two passengers injured in bus crash at Paradise Interchange

THE O-Bahn has reopened after a rear-end crash between two buses injured a driver — who had to be cut free from the wreckage — and two passengers.

The driver was trapped inside the O-Bahn bus for nearly an hour after the crash occurred about 9am and suffered suspected spinal injuries ....

[ozbob]

For interest ...  Adelaide might become the last place to see a guided bus way ..

Railway Gazette --> Guided bus to tram plan confirmed

FRANCE: The municipality of Caen has confirmed its intention to develop a three-line light rail network for opening by the end of 2019.

The majority of the tramway would be converted from the existing TVR guided bus network under plans first announced in December 2011, but a feasibility study has suggested that several sections of new rail infrastructure should also be added to better serve local traffic generating hubs and optimise network operation.

Three routes are envisaged:

    T1: Hérouville Saint Clair – Ifs Jean Vilar;
    T2: Campus 2 – Presqu'île;
    T3: Théâtre – Fleury sur Orne.

The network would total 16·8 km with 37 stops. The two moist significant sections of new infrastructure are a 2·2 km branch from Théâtre to Presqu'île and a 1 km extension beyond the current terminus of the guided bus at Grace de Dieu to Hauts de l'Orne in Fleury.

Services are expected to run at 3 min headways in peak times on the shared section used by all three routes. A fleet of 23 trams is to be acquired. Total project cost is estimated to be €247m, with work being undertaken by the ASyAS consortium of Artélia, Setec, Attica and Signes under a contract awarded in July 2015.

[ozbob]

A short video I photographed when in Adelaide recently on the O-bahn (guided busway)

[ozbob]

Adelaide Now --> A drone's eye view of the new O-Bahn route being tunnelled through Adelaide's parklands

IT'S a drone's eye view of the new O-Bahn bus tunnel cutting a swath through the city's parklands.

The Sunday Mail contracted a licensed drone operator to capture images of the $160 million construction project from the air.

The aerial photographs reveal the magnitude of the project. Tunnel works began in April, and at the end of the month construction workers will begin placing a "lid" over the tunnel, made of large concrete slabs.

It will later be covered by grass and other plants, returning much of the area to parklands.

Workers will also have to fit out the inside of the tunnel by installing lighting and electrical connections.

The dirt dug out to clear the tunnel will later be used to backfill gaps and cover the concrete lid before landscaping can take place.

The whole project is expected to be complete by the end of next year.

The State Government says the 650m bus tunnel, from Hackney Rd to East Tce, will reduce daily bus commute times by an average seven minutes. ...

[ozbob]

Tonight at 6 @7NewsAdelaide goes inside the new O-Bahn tunnel as the project reaches a major milestone. #7News pic.twitter.com/AvFSKSpUDs

— Mark Mooney (@MarkMooney7) May 27, 2017

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Adelaide O-Bahn bus tunnel reaches milestone as roof works completed

Time lapse of work on Adelaide bus tunnel

Adelaide buses are expected to start using the city's new O-Bahn tunnel through the east parklands by the end of the year, South Australian Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan has said.

Construction workers are lowering the final concrete roof planks into place this weekend.

The tunnel will give buses quicker access to and from the CBD, taking passengers underground between Hackney Road and Grenfell Street.

All the excavation work is now finished and 90 per cent of the concrete for the tunnel has been poured.

Mr Mullighan said the $160-million project was under budget at this time.

"We're about two-thirds of the way through the project. We are still on schedule to finish before the end of this year," he said.

    "We did have a tricky summer with a lot of unexpected rain for a period, also some blistering heat, but we managed to stay on track, on schedule and importantly under budget."

The tunnel has more than 400 precast roof planks along its 670 metres and the Minister said the Government had also sourced materials from the Whyalla steelworks.

Shorter travel times promised

Mr Mullighan promised shorter travel times for both public transport users and city drivers.
Blue dotted section shows tunnel access to the CBD.

"By removing buses from the rest of the traffic we will not only give our most popular public transport network a better run, but we will also remove more than 1,000 buses each weekday from the road corridor, freeing up space for more cars," he said.

North-east suburbs Labor MP Tom Kenyon said the improvements to the city end of the O-Bahn guided busway would be welcomed by many commuters.

"The almost uninterrupted, smooth ride into the city will be a boon for residents of the north-eastern suburbs," he said.

As well as the roadworks on the eastern edge of the CBD, other transport projects are widening busy South Road at Hindmarsh and Darlington and putting in underpasses and overpasses, as well as changing rail lines and crossings just north-west of the CBD.

I am hoping to visit Adelaide next January so be great this new tunnel is in use for the O-Bahn.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsAdelaide/status/919065032482209793

[ozbob]

Definitely try to get to Adelaide sooner than later.

From a public transport perspective is a very interesting place.  The O-Bahn, trams, rail - electric and DMU, plus the big freighters etc.

Well worth a visit!

[ozbob]

For anyone not familiar with the O-Bahn (guided busway).

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> O-Bahn extension will mean buses take passengers from city to Golden Grove in Adelaide's northeast

THE O-Bahn busway would be extended from Tea Tree Plaza to Golden Grove in a proposal to better connect Adelaide's outer northeast with the CBD.

The project, beginning with an eight-month feasibility study costing $500,000 to be announced today, would be the most significant upgrade to the renowned O-Bahn system since it was built in 1986.

"The study will assess potential routes, engineering requirements and likely demand for the proposed extension, as well as undertake detailed economic and financial modelling,'' Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said.

The project will mirror the dedicated O-Bahn-only track between Tea Tree Plaza and Gilberton, as well as improvements to the road network to give buses uninterrupted journeys from Golden Grove Village to the Tea Tree Plaza interchange. The Advertiser understands the likely route will be on Golden Grove Road, which was purpose-built to be wider than needed to accommodate future traffic flow.

The extension is half as long as the existing O-Bahn line, which will allow an almost uninterrupted commute from Modbury to the city when the tunnel through the parklands is opened next month.

Adelaide's O-Bahn system was the brainchild of global car giant Daimler-Benz, beginning in the German city of Essen.

The idea was adopted by the State Government in 1986 when a tram extension was planned, then rejected, to service the city's rapidly expanding northeastern suburbs.

RAA senior road safetymanager Charles Mountain said motorists would also benefit from the extension, especially commuters on North East Rd.

"We support this proposal, given the considerable work that has already been done to improve travel times for the O-Bahn, and this would further capitalise on the existing investment in the corridor,'' he said.

"Incorporating additional park and ride facilities could potentially reduce traffic on North East Rd and other arterial roads as more people switch to public transport.

"Once the study is done, the challenge for the State Government will be to determine whether the proposed recommendations are more worthy of investment compared with other public transport improvements already identified.''

The suburbs to benefit the most from the project, which has not yet been costed, would be Golden Grove, Wynn Vale, Redwood Park, Surrey Downs, Modbury Heights and Ridgehaven.

Mr Mullighan said public input into the route to be taken by the new track would be an important component of the project.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DPTI_SA/status/938998006040297472

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DPTI_SA/status/939672223840743426

[ozbob]

I am thinking heading to Adelaide for the Commonwealth Games.  These latest improvements on the O-Bahn gives me a good excuse ..

(There will be no transport meltdown either in Adelaide during the Games) 

[ozbob]

Adelaide Now --> O-Bahn tunnel opens for pedestrian walk


People walk through the new O-Bahn tunnel under Rymill Park before it's opened. Picture: Nick Clayton.

ITS purpose is to slash commuter travel times to the city, but on Sunday Adelaideans took to the new O-Bahn tunnel at a more leisurely pedestrian pace.

Buses will start running through the 670m, $160 million tunnel on Monday.

"The O-Bahn tunnel is about easing the commute for more than 30,000 people who use the service every day," Premier Jay Weatherill said.

"It's not just bus passengers who'll benefit.

"Creating an extra lane for buses along Hackney Rd and detouring them into the tunnel means more road space for other vehicles."

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan was again forced to fend off criticism from the Dignity Party that the tunnel lacked sufficient safety features for evacuating people with disabilities in emergency situations.

He said the tunnel had been designed and tested for situations including a bus catching on fire in the tunnel.

Mr Mullighan also addressed Adelaide City Council concerns about the impact of more buses on the deteriorating road surface along Grenfell St.

He said the council was trying to get the State Government to pay for local road maintenance costs.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsAdelaide/status/940016291494035456

[ozbob]

North Eastern Weekly Messenger --> O-Bahn extension should go via Modbury Heights, council says

A proposed O-Bahn extension to Golden Grove Rd may go via Grenfell Rd, Modbury Heights, Tea Tree Gully Council says.

Tea Tree Gully Council's acting director of assets and environment, Justin Robbins, told the The Messenger he understood "the government is looking to extend the O-Bahn to Golden Grove Rd" from Tea Tree Plaza.

However, Mr Robbins said an "alternative route may be needed" down Grenfell Rd rather than straight down Golden Grove Rd.

"This is the view of council's consultants and we eagerly await the results of the North East Public Transport Study," Mr Robbins said.

A council report showed the extension could involve an "exclusive corridor" along Golden Grove Rd for buses.

The full details of extension is expected to be revealed in the State Government's North East Public Transport Study — likely to be completed this year.

The study will consider several O-Bahn options including a dedicated corridor, similar to the existing one between Tea Tree Plaza and Gilberton.

Council documents discussing the extension refer also to the likelihood of "on-road priority bus lanes similar to those installed along Hackney Rd".

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll told Parliament on April 4 the study was set to come across his desk "within the next few weeks".

The State Government is not saying when it will be released.

Mr Knoll said the government was "exploring a possible extension" of the O-Bahn to Golden Grove.

"Ultimately any decisions around a possible O-Bahn extension is a decision for the State Government, not the local council," Mr Knoll said.

Meanwhile, the council will consider introducing resident parking permits for streets east of Tea Tree Plaza and a driverless bus to ease congestion in the Modbury precinct, following the release of its own transport plan.

The council will consider enforcing permits between North East Rd and Smart Rd, but refuses to say which streets in particular will be affected.

Mr Robbins said some streets south of the Modbury Hospital had been under pressure "from time to time" by hospital staff members' parking.

The council was considering a trial of a driverless "autonomous" bus service, similar to the Olli vehicle at Glenelg and the FLEX at the Tonsley Innovation District.

"This idea is still only conceptual as a way to promote other modes of transport in the Modbury Precinct, other than driving and parking," Mr Robbins said.

In addition, an on-demand bus service to the plaza and the civic centre was a possibility.

The council also says it will consider lobbying the State Government on:

A plan for more direct and regular bus services between the Lyell McEwin and Modbury hospitals.

Modbury Hospital implementing higher rates of paid parking for workers with fees that are higher than Metrocard fares to encourage more public transport usage and to discourage parking in local side streets close to the hospital.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/theTiser/status/1139262677111361536

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Campbelltown Council makes submission on $15.5 million carpark at Paradise O-Bahn Interchange


Architectural drawings of the new carpark to be built at the Paradise O-Bahn Interchange. Picture: Supplied

Councillors have joined residents in expressing concerns about a new $15.5 million carpark planned for the Paradise O-Bahn interchange.

Public submissions on the project closed on Wednesday, the day after Campbelltown Council voted to send feedback from its elected members.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) is seeking approval to chop down almost 100 trees alongside Gameau Rd for the two-level car park.

In their submission, councillors have questioned what will be done about residents in apartments directly opposite the carpark having to face a two-storey metallic wall.

Some elected members also are worried the loss of canopy cover and construction of a large, concrete structure will create a heat island "and hostile environment for humans in both summer and winter".

They have asked if the carpark will have adequate security, especially CCTVs, lighting and duress buttons.

Other issues raised by the councillors include whether:

MORE feeder bus services can be provided to reduce the number of people driving cars to the interchange.

THE carpark is big enough to cope with the demand for parking, with vehicles regularly left on Darley Rd, side streets and at a nearby church.

SMALL retail outlets like convenience stores or cafes can be provided to improve "passive surveillance" by having people stay longer.

CHARGING points for electric vehicles can be installed.

In their feedback, council staff focused mainly on access around the carpark for buses, vehicles and pedestrians.

They have suggested widening footpaths, installing pedestrian ramps, changing traffic light sequencing and creating dedicated bus lanes during peak traffic periods.

A council report said the new carpark came after years of lobbying by council of successive state governments for more on-site parking.

"The O-Bahn interchange at Paradise has, for a number of years, experienced a shortage of onside parking spaces, resulting in parking issues in surrounding streets and frustration for local streets," it said.

"The construction of this new parking structure is likely to attract more users to the Paradise Interchange which may adversely impact on the neighbouring residents if the increased carparking spaces do not meet demand."

Under the plans lodged by DPTI with the State Planning Commission, 447 new parking spaces will be provided in the new two-level carpark and another ground level carpark next to Darley Rd.

"This represents an increase of 377 spaces over what is currently available on the northern side of the interchange," said the council report.

"The location of the single deck parking is not ideal, in that it is not best positioned to minimise visual impact on the adjacent residential precinct.

"Overall, there would be a reduction in tree canopy. However, the design does provide extensive landscaping."

The application to build the carpark will be considered within the next few months.

[#Metro]

^ $34,675.61 per car park

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Man crashes car on O-Bahn tracks at Modbury interchange

An elderly man has driven his car on to the O-Bahn track, forcing the bus expressway to shut down for citybound commuters in Adelaide's northeast.

The incident occurred at the Modbury interchange just before 7.30pm on Wednesday.

The car is stuck on the tracks about 100m from the interchange entrance.

Emergency services will work to remove the vehicle.

The 81-year-old from Kersbrook was taken to hospital for a medical assessment.

A video was posted to ShitAdelaide showing a car driving on to the tracks.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ABCmag/status/1217308918646366208

[ozbob]

Adelaide O-Bahn planning video 1982

[ozbob]

Uni of SA: Adelaide O-Bahn far more efficient than city's rail network

https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2020/adelaide-o-bahn-far-more-efficient-than-citys-rail-network/

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Government rules out 'sub-optimal' O-Bahn extension plans for Adelaide's northeast

An extension of Adelaide's O-Bahn network between Tea Tree Plaza and Golden Grove has been ruled out, with the State Government saying the option would destroy too many trees and cost too much money.

On Thursday, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport released their long-awaited North East Public Transport Study, which examined the feasibility of extending the O-Bahn.

It found extending the O-Bahn would lead to the demolition of 41 homes and 290 trees and would be "sub-optimal" for the community.

"With a price tag of more than $250 million, (this) was not good bang for the taxpayer's buck," a joint statement between Premier Steven Marshall and transport minister Corey Wingard said.

A "minimum intervention strategy" that involved giving buses dedicated "jump lanes" at intersections was the preferred option.

The government said jump lanes would be installed on Golden Grove Road at North East Road, Milne Road, Grenfell Road and The Grove Way.

The report said this option would destroy 55 trees and cost $13 million.

It will form part of the second stage of an upgrade to Golden Grove Road, which focuses on the area between Park Lane Drive and Kunzea Way and is estimated to cost $30 million.

Local member Blair Boyer, of the Opposition, said the report "delivered a whimper, not a bang".

While it is great to finally see Stage 2 going ahead, today's announcement falls way short of what the local community had been promised and what it was expecting," Mr Boyer said.

"(Mr Wingard) must explain why an expanded Park 'n' Ride at Golden Grove has been abandoned and why it took two years to deliver the North East Public Transport Study.

In September, then transport minister Stephan Knoll said the busway should be extended from Tea Tree Plaza to the Golden Grove park 'n' ride.

He said the study recommended a "number of options" for the extension, but would not elaborate further.

However, the report released on Thursday rules out any possibility of an extension.

[ozbob]

O-BAHN BUS DERAILS AT KLEMZIG

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/violent-robbery-at-croydon-park-man-arrested-over-theft-at-modbury-construction-site/news-story/3ede4ae75bd003d5067be950692b01c2 $

A bus has driven off the O-Bahn tracks at Klemzig Interchange.

At about 8.30am on Monday morning, emergency services were called to the Klemzig Interchange to find a bus partially off the tracks.

Fortunately, the bus was free of passengers and the driver was not injured.

A crane has been called in to put the bus back on the tracks.

Maintenance work is expected to be required where the bus derailed.

Widespread delays are set to follow throughout Monday morning and commuters are asked to find another way into the city.

[ozbob]

Australasian Bus & Coach --> ADELAIDE O-BAHN 'GREENER' VIA SCANIA HYBRID BUS

... The Scania hybrid powertrain fitted to the new Adelaide buses has been designed to run for up to 4km on battery power alone, up to a maximum speed of 40km/h, Scania confirms.

Employing Scania's 9.0-litre 320hp five-cylinder Euro 6 compliant diesel engine typically used across Australian bus fleets, and famed for its 'torquey' 1600Nm output, the hybrid further boosts its environmental credentials with a 177hp/1030Nm electric motor, both of which are seamlessly integrated with the Scania Opticruise transmission, it explains.

The diesel engine can fully charge its batteries while in driving mode in just 30 minutes, says Scania.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/cjsheldon2012/status/1494256515527901185

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AdelaideMail/status/1689040930995662848

[ozbob]

https://x.com/AdelaideMetroSA/status/1755436208371666967?s=20