Millswood train station is set to remain open permanently

[ozbob]

Adelaide Now  --> Millswood train station is set to remain open permanently, after a successful year-long trial

Millswood station will remain open permanently following a successful year-long trial.

Since reopening last October, more than 15,000 commuters have used the train station, closed in 1995 due to insufficient passenger numbers.

March was the most popular month, with 26 per cent more commuters than the monthly average.

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said patronage had grown during the trial.

"These figures are not insignificant," Mr Mullighan told Parliament last week.

"Following this trial, the State Government will keep the Millswood train station open and will continue to encourage public transport use throughout the local community."

The Reopen Millswood Station Group has been advocating for the station's reopening for many years.

Member John Greenshields was thrilled it would remain in use.

"The patronage exceeded my expectations greatly, especially during peak hour," Mr Greenshields said.

"In just a year, it became an essential community asset, particularly for people going to events in the city on the weekend.

"At some points they even had 11 or 12 people get on the train at once, which is a fair bit considering Goodwood station sometimes gets just three people."

He was confident people would continue to use the station.

"I'm not sceptical of the longevity," he said.

"The year-long trial proved that it works, for commuters, students and anyone else."

Fellow group member John Gasper was also pleased.

"It would have been a waste of effort and money if it was closed," Mr Gasper said.

"There are many people who use the station regularly.

"I felt the station needed to remain open so people could use public transport to get into the city."

The Transport Department said the Belair line's timetable would be reviewed early next year.

[Gazza]

15,000 a year = 40 a day.

That's similar patronage to our dead stations like Walloon and Elimbah lol. (Though better than Bindha)

Nothing to "crow" about, excuse the pun lol.

[error]

15,000 a year = 40 a day.

That's similar patronage to our dead stations like Walloon and Elimbah lol. (Though better than Bindha)

Nothing to "crow" about, excuse the pun lol.

Still hopefully that's at least 20-30 cars off the road each day at least.

[Gazza]

With railway lines, there's a balance between too many stations making the train slow compared to driving, and too few meaning its too difficult to access the train.

-How many of those 40 passengers used other stations anyway?

-Adelaide is definitely a city where stations are a bit too close.

[colinw]

Millswood is laughable.

Within ~1km there are two much higher frequency stations served by the Seaford Line, and two stops on the very frequent Glenelg tram line.

Looking at the map it appears to have little or no parking, and probably little in the way of bus stops nearby - so its basically walk up patronage only.

[pandmaster]

Based on my experience in Adelaide there may be a few stations with similar patronage. I too am interested in what mode they used before.

$500 000 I think would have been much better spent towards a tram stop at Goodwood above the train station. I can not believe how poor the interchange is between them.

[dancingmongoose]

Millswood is laughable.

Within ~1km there are two much higher frequency stations served by the Seaford Line, and two stops on the very frequent Glenelg tram line.

Looking at the map it appears to have little or no parking, and probably little in the way of bus stops nearby - so its basically walk up patronage only.

There's a bus stop 100m away with G10, G20, G21 and G30 stopping there.

[ozbob]

I will post a selfie on Millswood station ...   going to Adelaide/Melbourne for a few days in Jan ...

Hoping to get the Overland from Adelaide to Melbourne, bookings still not available for 2016 yet but should be cool ...

[pandmaster]

Hopefully the SA government coughs up to keep it going for you. There is certainly a marked difference between both states. Victorian stations have all been decked out in V/Line signage and look quite smart. In SA the stations look like they have not had a cent spent on them in years. GSR certainly operate the service as if they are under a compulsion: a ludicrous timetable (around 90 minutes Melbourne to Geelong, unsurprisingly it came early), no opportunity to get out and stretch your legs at any stops and a terrible food offering.

[petey3801]

I will post a selfie on Millswood station ...   going to Adelaide/Melbourne for a few days in Jan ...

Hoping to get the Overland from Adelaide to Melbourne, bookings still not available for 2016 yet but should be cool ...

I'm hoping to do the same, but in reverse, in late Feb. Fingers crossed!