Adelaide Metro items of interest

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Residents being driven crazy by train crossing sirens in Warradale and Hove

"Relentless" blaring sirens alerting people to oncoming trains are driving residents crazy, after being installed by the Transport Department this week.

Safety improvements including new gates and a siren were fitted at rail crossings near Warradale Railway Station, Hove Railway Station and at a pedestrian crossing in between the two stations on Railway Tce on Monday morning.

Residents say the alarms are "excessive" and sound up to eight times in an hour during peak times.

The sirens — which indicate the gates are closing — start with the first train on the Seaford line about 5.40am and continue until after midnight.

Carol Russell, who lives opposite the Railway Tce crossing, said she could no longer open her windows at night or have a barbecue in her backyard because of the noise.

She said she had timed the siren with her stopwatch and found it was blaring for a total of three hours every day.

"It is not fair to the residents," Ms Russell said.

"It only takes a couple of seconds for the gate to close and we certainly don't need a bell when the train is nowhere near (the crossing).

"People are just going nuts, it is ongoing and relentless."

Hove resident Emily Thorn said she had raised her concerns about the "intrusive and excessive" noise with the Transport Department but was told it met their standards.

"The alarm sounds for sometimes two plus minutes prior to a train approaching and can be longer if there is a train travelling in the opposite direction," Ms Thorn said.

"It appears the Transport Department have complete disregard for residents living along railway corridors.

"I'd happily invite a representative from DPTI or (Transport) Minister (Stephan) Knoll or any other MP to come and spend a day and night at my house and experience the intrusion first hand."

Neighbour Ollie Meinecke said the gates were a good thing but the siren was unnecessary.

"I don't understand why the alarm needs to be going at the volume especially when the gates have already closed," Mr Meinecke said.

"I have double-glazed windows and I can still hear it."

In 2014, the State Government was forced to reduce the volume of an alarm bell at a Millswood rail crossing after residents complained about the piercing noise.

The Transport Department spokesman said the activated rail crossings were fitted with warning devices to provide audible warning to pedestrians, as required by Australian Standards and the National Rail Safety Regulator.

"The sounders mitigate the risks associated with mobile phone use/distraction and people with visual impairment entering the rail corridor in danger," he said.

"The sound levels have been set at the mandated level above ambient noise as per Australian standards.

"Following community feedback, DPTI Signal Engineering checked sound levels this week and can confirm the minimum level has been set whilst maintaining the required compliance. "Engineers have also adjusted the tone and pitch of the devices."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Elderly man on mobility scooter dies after falling onto train tracks in Adelaide

Key points

Police were called to the Osborne Railway Station just after 2:30pm

The man was treated by paramedics but died at the scene

Trains on the Outer Harbor Line have been impacted by the incident

Police said they were called to the Osborne Railway Station just after 2:30pm, with officers finding the man and his mobility scooter on the tracks.

====

An elderly man has died after his mobility scooter fell off a train platform and onto the tracks in Adelaide's north-west this afternoon.

Paramedics treated the 82-year-old, who was unconscious, but police said the North Haven man died at the scene.

The man was not hit by a train, however Adelaide Metro confirmed the incident had impacted the Outer Harbor Line.

It said Outer Harbor trains were not running between Midlunga and Outer Harbor due to the incident and substitute buses would be used for passengers.

Trains are still operating between Adelaide and Midlunga.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Labor's promise to derail Liberals' rail sell-off plans labelled dangerous

State Labor's plan to reverse tram and train contracts if elected to power has been scoffed at by the State Government, which says there are eight billion reasons why the Opposition cannot be trusted on privatisation.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas officially launched his plans for public transport as he addressed about 350 party faithful at the ALP State Convention in Adelaide yesterday.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the plans, which would require any contracts signed before the next state election to be scrapped, as "downright dangerous."

He accused Mr Malinauskas of "rank hypocrisy" as Mr Knoll outlined $3 billion worth of public transport-related privatisation for everything from metro and regional bus services to train security and maintenance under Labor's previous reign.

"Peter Malinauskas and Labor should be judged on what they did when in government, not their empty hollow words," Mr Knoll told the Sunday Mail.

"The facts speak for themselves: Labor sold over $5 billion worth of assets and outsourced around $3 billion of public transport services and maintenance works.

"Labor went back out to the private sector twice in their time in office to ask the private sector to run our bus services at a cost of over $2 billion."

Mr Malinauskas yesterday said he was not looking at past decisions. "I am a new leader focused on the future and this is what I believe," he said.

"I did not get into politics to follow in other people's footsteps. I have to do what I believe to be right for my party and for my state and I genuinely believe privatisation is an old-world, failed ideology."

He also dismissed suggestions his policy could have an impact on business confidence.

The Labor leader said announcing his policy early meant that any "booby traps" the Government put in future bus or tram contracts were the Government's fault, not his.

Mr Knoll said the policy was " dangerous".

"It's dangerous and sends a chilling message to potential investors and could smash business confidence in SA," he said. "Where will Mr Malinauskas and Labor stop?

"Will they tear up water licences and mining agreements to score cheap political points at the expense of South Australians?"

Earlier yesterday, Mr Malinauskas received a standing ovation from party faithful for his new policy, which was revealed by The Advertiser here.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who has only visited SA once since May's election loss, was notably absent from state Labor's largest annual event.

Mr Malinauskas said Mr Albanese supported the policy and the conference was attended by senior federal Labor figures, and South Australians, Penny Wong and Don Farrell.]State Labor's plan to reverse tram and train contracts if elected to power has been scoffed at by the State Government, which says there are eight billion reasons why the Opposition cannot be trusted on privatisation.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas officially launched his plans for public transport as he addressed about 350 party faithful at the ALP State Convention in Adelaide yesterday.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the plans, which would require any contracts signed before the next state election to be scrapped, as "downright dangerous."

He accused Mr Malinauskas of "rank hypocrisy" as Mr Knoll outlined $3 billion worth of public transport-related privatisation for everything from metro and regional bus services to train security and maintenance under Labor's previous reign.

"Peter Malinauskas and Labor should be judged on what they did when in government, not their empty hollow words," Mr Knoll told the Sunday Mail.

"The facts speak for themselves: Labor sold over $5 billion worth of assets and outsourced around $3 billion of public transport services and maintenance works.

"Labor went back out to the private sector twice in their time in office to ask the private sector to run our bus services at a cost of over $2 billion."

Mr Malinauskas yesterday said he was not looking at past decisions. "I am a new leader focused on the future and this is what I believe," he said.

"I did not get into politics to follow in other people's footsteps. I have to do what I believe to be right for my party and for my state and I genuinely believe privatisation is an old-world, failed ideology."

He also dismissed suggestions his policy could have an impact on business confidence.

The Labor leader said announcing his policy early meant that any "booby traps" the Government put in future bus or tram contracts were the Government's fault, not his.

Mr Knoll said the policy was " dangerous".

"It's dangerous and sends a chilling message to potential investors and could smash business confidence in SA," he said. "Where will Mr Malinauskas and Labor stop?

"Will they tear up water licences and mining agreements to score cheap political points at the expense of South Australians?"

Earlier yesterday, Mr Malinauskas received a standing ovation from party faithful for his new policy, which was revealed by The Advertiser here.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who has only visited SA once since May's election loss, was notably absent from state Labor's largest annual event.

Mr Malinauskas said Mr Albanese supported the policy and the conference was attended by senior federal Labor figures, and South Australians, Penny Wong and Don Farrell.

[#Metro]

"I did not get into politics to follow in other people's footsteps. I have to do what I believe to be right for my party and for my state and I genuinely believe privatisation is an old-world, failed ideology."

Success for failure really turns on contract design. Franchises (operator retains revenue) are bad in my view, in contrast,

designs where the State retains the revenue and pays for service produced (e.g. TransLink) works very well.

As for being "old world", the new leader seems that only public servants can or should drive the vehicle.

Plenty of places now have non-government employees can drive buses, trains, ferries...

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Train sell-off set for boilover as Government calls for private operators

The fight over Adelaide's train and tram services is set to boilover as the state government calls for operators to come forward while Labor stands by its pledge to reverse any deals.

Companies wanting to take over Adelaide's train system will need to deliver faster, more frequent services and be able to adopt new technologies, according to rules set by the State Government.

An expressions of interest process will open today to give companies an opportunity to sell their wares.

Meanwhile, an independent public transport think tank has warned that Labor's plan to reverse any deals struck for train and tram services would be reckless.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the State Government wants "to leverage the capability, innovation and expertise from private sector operators" to improve the efficiency and quality of Adelaide's train services.

"The State Government will still own and control the assets, control fare prices and set service level requirements," Mr Knoll said.

"The Government has already guaranteed maintaining the same service frequency levels and standards and expect an increase in service."

Companies will need to:

PROVIDE high levels of customer satisfaction.

IMPROVE integration of train services with other public transport modes.

ESTABLISH more frequent and faster services.

GUARANTEE innovative and accessible services.

Labor has vowed to rip up any deals that are struck as part of its first major election commitment.

Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said it would be "completely normal and natural" for bidders to be scared off bidding because of Labor's position.

"If we win, public transport will come back into public hands," he said.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Chief Executive Adrian Dwyer described Labor's position as reckless.

"Threatening to tear up contracts risks damaging South Australia's investment reputation and puts taxpayers on the hook," Mr Dwyer said,

"It would deny the people of Adelaide the high-quality service they deserve from the best bus and tram operators around the world.

"Franchising the operation of these services is a tried and tested way to drive value for taxpayers and deliver better outcomes for customers."

[#Metro]

The key question is it a franchise or is it fee for service?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsAdelaide/status/1190898064531156995

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Adelaide's bus stops are getting the chop on Grange Rd, South Rd, Magill Rd and The Parade


Eight bus stops will be removed on both sides of Grange Rd at stop 25A, 23, 19 and 14, and three will be relocated; both 18 stops and 22 on the south side.

On South Rd, five stops will be cut; stops 11 and 13 on both sides, 23 on the west side, and stop 12 will be relocated.

Ten stops will be removed from The Parade on both sides at 7, 15A, 16B and 17A, but 13 and 14 only on one side. Stop 17B will be relocated.

On Magill Rd eight stops will be removed; stops 5, 7, 10 and 14 on both sides, and stops 4 and 8 will be relocated.

Thirty-one bus stops on four key routes will be axed to speed up travel into the city.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the changes will also ease congestion along Magill Rd, Grange Rd, South Rd and The Parade.

He said a trial on Marion Rd with nine fewer stops had been widely supported by the public.

"This is part of our 'keeping metro traffic moving' initiative to bust congestion on our roads,'' Mr Knoll said.

"Earlier this year we reduced clearway times across key arterial roads and have previously moved a number of bus stops along Marion Road which has reduced travel times and helped traffic flow. Importantly, it is out to consultation and community feedback at the moment."

Each of the stops to be removed or relocated has an information sign attached to inform commuters, and feedback can be lodged by telephone on 1300 794 880 or email dpti.communityrelations@sa.gov.au.

The plan has met with criticism from the People for Public Transport, who say the changes will mean people will have to walk further to some stops, which was difficult for the disabled and elderly.

Spokeswoman Margaret Dingle said: "The aim must be to make public transport more convenient to use to improve patronage, not more difficult.

"The failure to renumber all the stops (only some will be) will also be very confusing for people on unfamiliar routes," she said.

Mr Knoll said disability access would benefit from a $280,000 allocation for eight new talking digital bus and tram stops.

For bus commuters these will be at the Flinders Medical Centre, Mawson Lakes and Elizabeth Station interchanges, and Stop 11 on North Terrace.

Four digital displays will be installed at tram stops at the Art Gallery and City South.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> What buses, trains and trams will be cut this Christmas?

Adelaide Metro has released a rundown of bus, train and tram services to be cut from Friday December 27, 2019 to Friday January 3, 2020.

The slowdown will hit commuters on five working days this year, the same as last year's cuts which ran from December 24 to January 4.

An Adelaide Metro spokesman said services are reduced each year over the holiday period in line with 'significantly reduced passenger numbers'.

"Up to 50 per cent less passengers travel in late December and around 36 per cent less in the first week of January,'' the spokesman said.

Adelaide Metro will operate reduced bus and tram service timetables for the following working days: Friday, December 27, Monday, December 30 and Tuesday December 31, plus Thursday January 2 and Friday January 3, 2020.

Bus commuters using the below routes should check the new timetables at: https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements/Service-Updates/Reduced-bus-and-tram-services-during-the-festive-season

BUSES

Adelaide Hills

823, 838, 839, 840, 860, 861, 863, 864, N864, T843.

South

640, 681, 682, 683, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 733, 734, 737, 741, 743, 744, 745, 747, 750, 751, 752, 755, 756, 721F, T721, T722.

North

222, 225, 228, 400, 401, 403, 404, 405, 411, 415, 421, 430, 440, 441, 442, 443, 451, 452, 461, 462, 491, 492, 493, 494, 900.

Outer North East

163, 500, 501, 502, 503, 506, 507, 528, 530, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 548, 556, 557, 559, 578, 591A, 591C, C1, C2, G40, J1, J2, M44.

East/West and North/South

98, 99, 100, 101, 106, 110, 112, 115, 117, 118, 140, 141, 142, 144, 147, 150, 155, 157, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 174, 176, 178, 178X, 190, 195, 196, 197X, 200, 202, 203, 206, 208, 209F, 230, 232, 235, 238, 239, 241, 245, 248, 251, 252, 253, 253X, 254, 254X, 262, 263, 265, 271, 273, 281, 286, 287, 288, 300, 320, 333, 361, 528, 530, 578, 579, 580, 600, 601, 605, 645, 646, G10, G20, G21, G22X, G30F, H20, H21, H22, H23, H24, H30, H30C, H32, X30.

TRAINS

Trains will operate to their normal timetable with a reduced number of carriages.

The usual public holiday timetables apply on public holidays: Christmas Day, Proclamation Day and New Year's Day.

Adelaide Oval and New Year's Eve events will be exempt from the cutbacks, with the scheduled additional services running.

"There will also be extra buses ready to respond to areas of high demand on 26 December Proclamation Day, given the extended shop trading hours across metropolitan Adelaide,'' the spokesman said.

Services that are not listed in the reduced bus timetables will operate to their standard weekday, weekend and public holiday timetable, depending on the day.

Please check your normal timetable for details.

All buses will display on the real time metromate app as normal using GPS data to tell passengers their exact position.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Ride share service set to start next year


On demand buses for Mount Barker and Barossa Valley. Supplied: State Government

Need to catch a bus? You'll be able to hail one using your phone as part of a new on-demand trial which begins in the Barossa Valley and Mount Barker early next year.

Uber-style buses in the Barossa Valley and Mount Barker will start next month as part of a shake up of the state's public transport mix.

The State Government on Sunday released its smartphone app called Keoride that commuters can download then use to order on-demand buses to take them anywhere within the service area.

There will be four vehicles available in Mount Barker, which will cost $1.50 for adults and $1 for concessions to use.

A further five vehicles will operate in the Barossa and will cost $6 for an adult and $3 for a concession.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said if the six-month trial is successful, the State Government would look into rolling it out into metropolitan Adelaide.

He said the buses would be a first and last mile transport solution to bring people to and from their destination.

"Passengers will be able to track the wait time and vehicle location in real-time on the app and get picked up from their home or within 60-130 metres from their location," Mr Knoll said.

"Being able to get closer to someone's door means (commuters) can engage more easily with this service."

Users would have to wait up to 10 minutes for the 12-seater Mercedes Sprinter bus to pick them up.

In the Barossa Valley, buses will operate from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 5pm on weekends.

The Mount Barker service will run on between 7am and 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 6pm on weekends.

Mount Barker District Council Mayor Ann Ferguson said she was pleased it would reduce the district's carbon footprint, while making residents, young and old, feel safe getting around.

Payments can be made on-board or by credit card or debit card in the app.

Riders transferring on to an Adelaide Metro bus will need to pay the normal fare.

The app can be downloaded on Apple App Store and on Google Play ahead of the trial which starts on January 13.

In November, the government came under fire from the Opposition because the $1.7 million deal did not got to tender.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> State Government shortlists the companies that could take Metro trains

Europe's largest rail operator is among three companies in the running to operate Adelaide's train network.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll will today announce the consortia short-listed to take over metropolitan services.

Among them are the second wealthiest railway company in the world, a French-based company operating nine international metro networks and an Australian company operating light rail in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Newcastle.

The consortia, each a partnership between international and Australian firms, will now submit a response to the State Government's invitation to tender ahead of a decision on the preferred contractor in the second half of 2020.

The move will reignite debate about franchising or privatising the public transport network with Labor threatening to tear up any contracts if they are to win the next election.

Mr Knoll told The Advertiser that the government believes the state's public transport system has room for improvement.

"What we are seeking to do is bring trains and tram in line with the same model that our buses have operated under for the last 20 years," he said.

"Encouragingly we've seen some green shoots and in the last financial year we saw public transport patronage increase by over one million trips compared to the previous year."

The consortia vying for the contract are:

ADELAIDE NEXT – German railway company Deutsche Bahn, Europe's largest rail operator, and Australia's largest private rail operator John Holland.

KEOLIS DOWNER – French company Keolis SA, currently operating nine metro networks, 23 tram networks and 15 regional train networks around the world and Downer

EDI that has over 100 years' experience in rail and;

TRAIN CO – The Australian arm of the French-based Transdev Group – a multi-modal passenger transport operator in 19 countries, and CAF, a global railway equipment provider with a base in Sydney.

In November The Advertiser revealed Keolis Downer had won a $1.7 million tender to run an Uber-style bus trial in the Barossa Valley and Mount Barker.

At the time Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis raised questions about why the contract did not go out to open tender.
In October The Advertiser revealed dozens of international and interstate companies had shown an interest in taking over Adelaide's bus and tram services, including several, not part of today's announcement, that had been embroiled in controversy.

In his boldest pre-election pledge to date, Mr Malinauskas, in October vowed to reverse the

"privatisation of tram and train services" if Labor wins the next state election.

He also vowed to examine returning bus services to the public sector.

In April, the State Government announced it would put out tenders for operators to run bus and light-rail services in Adelaide, arguing SA was the only jurisdiction in the country that did not outsource the operation of its tram services.

It also pledged to put out a tender for train services.

[#Metro]

Why must the driver be a public servant? The spokesman hasn't explained.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Adelaide's disability-accessible talking buses are getting their location wrong and mispronouncing street names

"Talking" buses designed to help people with disabilities navigate around Adelaide are mispronouncing street names and announcing wrong locations.

The Transport Department is trialling a new audiovisual system on select routes to comply with federal discrimination laws.

It combines "next stop" announcements with prominent digital displays, automatically generated by a combination of GPS and the bus ticketing systems.

But during the extensive trials, some announcements have mistakenly placed buses on different streets to where they are actually travelling, for example confusing Wakefield St and Hutt St in the Adelaide CBD.

The computer-generated voiceover has also had troubles with pronouncing the names of some streets and landmarks along the routes used in the trials.

For example, the talking buses pronounce Duthy St in Unley, pronounced "Doothy" by locals, as "Dutthie".

But even when the "next stop" system is failing to operate correctly, or a customer complains that it is annoying, bus drivers have no control to turn it off.

The department says it is looking to perfect the system before introducing it more widely.

"The voiceover is generated from GPS data from the ticketing system which also feeds the real-time information," a spokesman said.

"Significant testing was undertaken prior to introduction and all location data was shown to be accurate.

"The department will take into consideration street name pronunciation and attempt to resolve this in the next system update."

The department said the system was specifically designed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, under which it must provide both visual and audio displays.

"The audio assists people with vision impairments who are most in-need when it comes to being aware of where they are and what the next stop is," the spokesman said.

According to department figures, Adelaide's day-to-day bus fleet is now around 90 per cent disability accessible.

That does not include the back-up older buses used as rail substitutes during major rail and road upgrades.

In 2002, only about 30 per cent of the fleet was disability accessible.

The department said it would continue to work to ensure accessibility and inclusiveness, including through online and printed material.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Adelaide's public trains on time more often than Melbourne's privatised trains

Adelaide public transport ran more efficiently than Melbourne's did last year – data the Opposition says shows the risks of privatising the network as the Victorians did.

Adelaide's publicly-operated trains ran on schedule 97 per cent of the time in 2019, making them more prompt than Melbourne's privatised trains, new statistics reveal.

The figures, published on the Adelaide Metro and Victoria's Metro websites, show Melbourne's privately-run trains were only punctual 90.4 per cent of the time last year.

The data also revealed Adelaide's trams arrived at their destination on time 95.8 per cent of the time in 2019 while Melbourne's trams were on schedule just 82.7 per cent of the time.

The Opposition warns the statistics serve as more proof that the State Government's plan to privatise Adelaide's train and tram network is a bad idea, describing the data as "a stark reminder of the pitfalls of privately-run public transport".

The SA Government last year announced it would privatise the operation of Adelaide's tram network in 2020 and its train system in 2021.

It emphasised that infrastructure and ticket prices would remain under public control. Bus operations are already privatised.

The "on-time" figures come as one of the companies in the running to take over the city's rail network is set to be stripped of its contract to operate the United Kingdom's Northern Rail system because of unacceptable service levels.

The UK Government has started a process to rip up Deutsche Bahn's 10-year contract, issued in 2015, due to trains routinely running late, with only one in two services operating on time.

The Government will either completely oust the company, which is Europe's largest rail operator, or replace its existing contract with a short-term one.

As The Advertiser reported in December, Deutsche Bahn is among the companies short-listed to run Adelaide's trains and trams.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said numerous private operators across the UK were failing to provide a reliable service and this should be seen as a red flag for the SA Government.

"The Marshall Liberal Government chose to highlight the UK as a shining example of privatisation – yet the record shows that privatisation in the UK is failing and there are moves to bring train services back into public ownership," he said.

Mr Malinauskas also said Melbourne's poorer "on-time" results were a sign of things to come in Adelaide once the rail system was privatised.

"Imagine going to a (tram) station and knowing there's a one in five chance you'll be waiting and waiting and waiting?" he said.

"That's the reality for Victorians with their inferior, privately-run public transport."

Mr Malinauskas, who reiterated his pledge to return the trains and trams to public hands if Labor wins the 2022 State Election, said the figures were "just another example of why this decision to privatise trains and trams in South Australia is a wrong one".

"Wherever there has been privatisation of trains and trams overseas or even interstate, what we see is a decline in the service and an increase in the cost to the person who is commuting on the trains and trams," he said.

Both Adelaide and Melbourne's train services are considered "on time" if they arrive at their destination no later than four minutes and 59 seconds after the scheduled time in their timetables.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the existing system was "not working as well as it should".

"What we're seeking to achieve here, and will achieve, as part of this outsourcing program is to help improve the way our public transport services operate," he said.

"But at the end of the day, the metric by which a transport system needs to be measured is the number of people who choose to use it – On time running is only one part of the equation."

Mr Knoll said price, frequency, safety and cleanliness also played a part in determining the quality of a service.

He said the contract drawn up by the Government would ensure the private operator would be held to account.

A Government spokesman said Labor were "hypocrites who privatised over $5 billion of assets when they were last in Government".

"There is a robust and comprehensive independent procurement process that will ensure all companies competing for the tender can deliver better services for South Australians," he said.

[#Metro]

Didn't agree with the article. Adelaide trains have the lowest patronage in the nation, not to mention it is much smaller than Melbourne.

Also, a contract is enforceable by penalty, in court, or by termination. In contrast, as we have seen with Queensland Rail, the contract must be renewed, no matter what the performance of the public operator, plus fines do not make sense as the gov't would have to fine itself.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PMalinauskasMP/status/1221590069422673921

====

As I commented on twitter this morning.  It is a bit like comparing a grand final at Yackandandah to the grand final at the MCG ..



{Disclaimer:  Nothing wrong with Yack', quite like the town,  had some great times there when I was a teenager .. }

Unlike Citytrain, there is no adjustment made in Melbourne for things beyond the operator's control.  It is in our SEQ terminology 'Customer Impact' data.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> FOI shows there are documents discussing a possible Grange line closure, but State Government says that has been ruled out

Secret emails on the possibility of closing the Grange train line have been dug up, but the State Government says their existence does not mean anything and they've already ruled out closure.

State Government documents relating to a potential closure of the Grange train line or a reduction in its services have been unearthed via Freedom of Information.

However, the Government has dismissed claims the existence of the secret documents means the western suburbs train service is doomed, insisting there are no plans to close or cut services along the line.

It came after the Opposition sought access via FOI to "briefings, memos, minutes, emails and any other documents regarding the permanent closure or reduction in services on the Grange Train Line" produced between March 19, 2018 – the day after the State Election – and September 5, 2019, when Labor lodged its application for the information.

FOI officers identified four Transport Department emails that related to the request but refused to release the contents of them – Two were cabinet documents and therefore exempt from being released while the remaining two contained "advice or opinion".

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said it was "incredibly concerning" that the Government refused to release the documents.

"These documents that the Government... refuses to release, clearly indicates their consideration of closing or cutting services of the Grange line," he said.

"If the Government is not considering cutting services on the Grange line then why not release the documents that the Opposition has sought?"

Lee MP Stephen Mullighan said any move to cut or reduce services to the Grange line would be a "disaster for the western suburbs".

In a letter to the Opposition, Transport Department chief executive officer Tony Braxton-Smith said the "advice or opinion" emails contained information about budget and infrastructure initiatives.

"Work is still in the preliminary stages with final decisions yet to be made, hence there is currently little information regarding specific details of this matter in the public domain," he wrote.

"In the circumstances, it is considered that disclosure of the documents will impair the need to protect the integrity and viability of the governmental decision-making process to a significant or substantial degree."

Mr Braxton-Smith also said that in coming to the decision to refuse Labor's request, various factors, including the importance of the issues discussed and the need to preserve confidentiality; the continuing relevance of the issues in relation to matters still under consideration; and the extent to which premature disclosure could reveal sensitive information that may be misunderstood or misapplied by an ill-informed public, were considered.

A Government spokesman reiterated the Government had already ruled out closing the Grange line or cutting its services when it announced last year that it was privatising the operation of Adelaide's tram network in 2020 and its train system in 2021.

"Labor are once again fear mongering and lying to South Australians because the State Government has already ruled out reducing services on the Grange line or closing the line," he said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsAdel/status/1222427206909091840

[Old Northern Road]

South Australian Liberals are privatising their railways while Boris Johnson is nationalising Britain's railways 

[#Metro]

It depends on the model.

Does the service keep the revenue or does the gov't pay for service provided.

Makes a big difference IMHO.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsAdel/status/1224966043069812736

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/9NewsAdel/status/1224966043069812736

Nice To bit a bit critical they are missing the double centre doors. In that respect the new Brisbane buses are better.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Next step for consortia shortlisted for Adelaide train network

The South Australian government has released an Invitation to Supply (ITS)  to the three consortia that were shortlisted last year to run a privatised Adelaide train network.

The consortia are Adelaide Next, a consortium of Deutsche Bahn and John Holland with Bombardier as a subcontractor; Keolis Downer, a consortium of Keolis and Downer EDI; and TrainCo, a consortium of Transdev and CAF.

Once the offers from the contractors are received, the SA state government will assess the responses and decide on a final contractor by mid 2020.

The successful proponent will be required to improve services in the Adelaide area, and will be judged based on customer satisfaction, integration of trains with other public transport modes, more frequent and faster services, collaboration with customers and stakeholders, and accessibility improvements.

The contract will cover four lines within the Adelaide Metro network, including Belair, Gawler, Outer Harbor, and Seaford with branch lines Grange, and Tonsley.

While the successful consortium will operate the network, the SA state government will retain ownership over rail assets, set standards for levels of service, set prices, retain revenue, and mandate performance targets for the contractor.

SA Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Stephan Knoll, said that the model will deliver better services.

"We will be capitalising on the vast private sector experience to help deliver better train and tram services while maintaining control of the assets, fares and service frequency."

The shortlisted consortia already operate services in other states in Australia, with Keolis Downer operating the Melbourne tram network, the Gold Coast Light Rail, Newcastle Light Rail, and a number of bus services in SA, Queensland, and Western Australia.

Transdev and CAF together operate the Parramatta Light Rail network as part of the Great River City Light Rail consortium.

Deutsche Bahn and John Holland are partners in the Canberra Metro consortium which operates the Canberra light rail.

"The companies associated with the shortlisted proponents have experience delivering better services in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, as well as in Europe," said Knoll.

SA hopes to increase patronage on its public transport network, with Adelaide having the lowest rail passenger kilometres per capita, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).

"We are leaving no stone unturned with our reforms to deliver better and more customer focussed bus, train and tram services," said Knoll.

Last year, the ABC reported that a Downer employee was caught sending quotes from fake news articles to Knoll about outsourcing Adelaide's tram network.

[ozbob]

Welcome to a new era in public transport for South Australia

https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements/News/Welcome-to-a-new-era-in-public-transport-for-South-Australia

New bus and tram contracts awarded

Better, faster and more frequent bus and tram services

Consultation for the new network

Go Zone service adjustments

Well worth a look.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Plans unveiled to get more buses in the fast lane

A radical overhaul of bus services in South Australia is aimed at generating a "better, faster and more frequent" network for an extra 250,000 commuters.

Uber-style bus services will also be introduced across metropolitan Adelaide under proposed State Government changes unveiled tomorrow.

The revamped network is designed at getting 700,000 South Australians living within 800m of a Go Zone – a bus services that runs every 15 minutes or less.

But it will come at a cost.

Multiple bus routes will have to be scrapped, reduced or overhauled to make way for more regular and direct services.

In some cases, passengers will be forced to walk up to 300m further for an appropriate bus stop.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll told the Sunday Mail that the plans, which would be available for community consultation, would require some passengers to rethink how they used public transport.

But he was confident the changes would encourage more people to use public transport.

"These new bus contracts will mean almost a quarter of million more South Australians will have access to better, faster and more frequent bus services," Mr Knoll said.

"Expansion of our Go Zone network means around 700,000 people will now have access to a bus that operates every 15 minutes or less and 10 minutes or less in peak periods."

But the trade-off for more Go Zone services would mean some passengers would have to walk further, Mr Knoll confirmed.

"A small percentage of passengers may have to walk up to 300m further to their Go Zone bus stop but this will enable them to have a faster and more frequent service, saving them time overall," he said.

"In order to provide Go Zone services for almost a quarter of a million more people, some changes will be required and mean that some people may have to walk, on average, 100m further to their Go Zone or local service."

Exact details around timetables, routes and services are being finalised and will be released for community consultation next month.

The shift has only been made possible after bus and tram contracts were awarded last week to private operators – the first time light rail has been placed out of public hands.

The Opposition has vowed to rip up any tram contracts, and consider scrapping bus contracts, if it wins the next state election. Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said any proposal that included consolidating services would not work.

"The Government needs to improve public transport services across the board," Mr Koutsantonis said.

"The Government should not be picking winners on bus routes.

"They should be expanding services, not consolidating them. If people have to walk further to bus stops, it is a mistake.

"The consequence will be that more people will use their cars."

Keys aspects of the State Government's plan include:

A TOTAL OF 45 Go Zone corridors, an increase of 10, to deliver more frequent services.

EXTENDING 20 existing Go Zones.

FIRST ever metropolitan On-Demand services in Seacombe Gardens/Seaview Downs and Blackwood and upgraded in Gawler.

FASTER journey times on various routes.

BUS timetables that are designed to facilitate connections with train and tram networks.

INTRODUCTION of 30 cross-suburban/feeder connector routes.

SIMPLIFIED route numbering.

A consultation period will run from next month to June to seek community feedback on the proposed changes.

The network revamp will be staged following the start of the new contracts in early July, with changes to be implemented from late this year and into 2021 across the different service areas.

The first ever metropolitan On-Demand services, better known as Uber-style buses, will be introduced after what Mr Knoll has dubbed a successful trial in Mount Barker and the Barossa Valley.

[Cazza]

Just looking solely upon that map, there are close to 0 major cross town connections. No high-profile east-west services south of the city, no frequent services from Glenelg to West Lakes and very limited east-west on the north side. Is the demand simply not there or are they just scared of designating a high frequency corridor on a road that doesn't go into the city?

[verbatim9]

Just looking solely upon that map, there are close to 0 major cross town connections. No high-profile east-west services south of the city, no frequent services from Glenelg to West Lakes and very limited east-west on the north side. Is the demand simply not there or are they just scared of designating a high frequency corridor on a road that doesn't go into the city?

There is a new proposed HF cross service from Magil to Paradise Interchange

[SurfRail]

Just looking solely upon that map, there are close to 0 major cross town connections. No high-profile east-west services south of the city, no frequent services from Glenelg to West Lakes and very limited east-west on the north side. Is the demand simply not there or are they just scared of designating a high frequency corridor on a road that doesn't go into the city?

At the same time you will see how much, much, much more even the coverage of frequent service is than in Brisbane or other parts of SEQ

[Gazza]

The revamped network is designed at getting 700,000 South Australians living within 800m of a Go Zone – a bus services that runs every 15 minutes or less.

That's good level of coverage, more than 50% of the adelaide population.

They do need better cross town services at least (But they could well be there, just not HF)
Grand Junction Rd is an important  corridor, and Tapleys Hill Rd would be a good north south orbital.
Cross Rd and Portrush Rd are other good candidates.

Likewise, there doesnt seem to be any HF services in north around Elizabeth.

[verbatim9]

Skybus to replace Adelaide metro's Jetexpress to and from the Adelaide Airport and the CBD and run an all electric fleet.

Airport to electrify buses--->https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/adelaide-airport-to-replace-fleet-with-electric-buses/news-story/2683505658d84bb1101f9a3a4609ab3e

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Public transport union calls for protective 'cabins' for drivers following brutal attack

Nearly 100 per cent of bus drivers faced some form of abuse on SA roads last year. This frightening statistic and a violent attack on Wednesday night has prompted their union to call for more protection before someone is killed.

THE state's peak public transport union has renewed calls for protective cabins for bus drivers after a member was punched then struck on the head with a beer bottle, leaving him with a lump over his left eye.

It comes as latest Transport Workers' Union SA/NT figures showed 95 per cent of Adelaide Metro bus drivers faced verbal abuse in 2019, and over a quarter experienced physical abuse.

Following the attack on a driver in Paralowie on Wednesday night, the union called on the State Government to install fully enclosed glass and cage screens in buses.

The government spent $2.5 million on small protective screens for drivers, but Transport Workers' Union SA/NT branch secretary Ian Smith said they were not good enough because drivers were still "living in fear" about assaults that had become "all too common".

He said the enclosed screens had been successfully implemented in Darwin, and wanted them rolled out in Adelaide.

"Since that has been in place in Darwin, there has been no physical assaults on drivers because of that protection," Mr Smith said.

"It's clear that the security screens that have been installed on Adelaide Metro buses just aren't up to the task ... they simply don't offer enough protection for drivers.

"How long before some one is killed?"

He urged the State Government to continue with the cashless fare payment system introduced to stop COVID-19 spread because it had "avoided lots of confrontation".

It is the fourth violent incident against bus drivers in two months.

On April 10, a passenger wearing a face mask threw alcohol over a bus driver at Flinders Medical Centre.

A day earlier, a driver in Hackham told a passenger to stop smoking on the bus before he was verbally abused then had his sunglasses stolen.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said safety was an "absolute priority" for bus drivers.

He declined to answer questions about whether he supported enclosed protective cabins.

"We have now retrofitted all buses with protective security screens for our drivers about six months ahead of schedule to help keep them safe."

Shadow Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the Marshall Government should not have cut security guards from evening train and tram services in May last year.

"It is clear these changes have made our public transport system less safe," Mr Koutsantonis said.

"Rather than focusing on privatisation, we need Minister Knoll to ensure that our public transport network is safer for passengers and our drivers."

Following the incident in Paralowie, SA Police arrested and charged the 39-year-old Kent Town man with aggravated assault

He was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.

The bus driver, a man in his 60s, was treated at the scene by ambulance officers.

SA Police refused to comment any further.

The Transport Department was contacted for comment.

Assaults on Adelaide Metro drivers

May 2020 – An intoxicated male allegedly punched then struck a bus driver with a beer bottle in Paralowie.

April 2020 – A passenger wearing a face mask threw alcohol over a bus driver at Flinders Medical Centre.

April 2020 – A passenger verbally abused and poured the contents of a drink bottle over a bus driver on Torrens Rd, Fitzroy.

April 2020 – A driver in Hackham told a passenger to stop smoking on the bus. The passenger verbally abused him then stole his sunglasses.

April 2019 – A prescribed officer assisted a driver in removing abusive passenger on a bus in the CBD. The officer was brutally attacked and suffered facial injuries.

September 2018 – A bus driver ran off the road after he was viciously attacked by a drunk passenger on Prospect Rd.

July 2018 – Teenager punched a bus driver in the face at Salisbury Downs after refusing to buy a ticket.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1266019053644083200

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1266020372010266625

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> 500 Adelaide bus stops axed in State Government plan to overhaul public transport in SA

ON THE BUSES: WHAT'S CHANGING?

1089 more GoZone bus stops (up 66 per cent to a total of 2730 GoZone bus stops)

200km more GoZone coverage (up 71 per cent to a total of 480 km)

Almost 700,000 people will now live within 800 metres of a Go Zone, increasing frequency for almost a quarter of a million people

45 Go Zone corridors, an increase of 10 to deliver more frequent services

A further 20 of the 45 Go Zones have been extended increasing frequency for more people

First ever metropolitan On-Demand services in Seacombe Gardens/Seaview Downs, Blackwood, Le Fevre Peninsula and upgraded in Gawler

Faster journey times on various routes

Bus timetables designed to facilitate connections with train and tram networks;

30 cross-suburban/feeder connector routes plus local routes and,

Simplified route numbering.

====

Adelaide residents can expect to see bus routes and hundreds of stops disappear from suburban streets as part of the boldest changes to the state's public transport system in decades.

The State Government will today release a consultation process to sell its new strategy aimed at getting more people on to public transport.

As revealed by The Advertiser in March, more frequent, direct and faster bus routes – known as GoZones – on main roads will be a centrepiece of the strategy.

Details released today will show there will be 1089 more GoZone bus stops.

But analysis of new maps shows that bus routes and stops across the entire network will need to be scrapped or overhauled to pave the way for the new scheme, which Transport Minister Stephan Knoll had previously stressed would require a change in thinking from Adelaide commuters.

In total, 500 bus stops will disappear.

The new maps, put out today for the public to scrutinise, will propose scrapping duplicate services in many areas including Collinswood, Walkerville, North Adelaide, Dulwich, Glenunga, Glen Osmond and Seacombe Gardens.

Major roads subject to some changes include Marion Rd, Port Rd, Golden Grove Rd, Anzac Highway and Brighton Rd.

Bus services that are being duplicated by trams along North Tce and trains at Alberton and Lynton will be removed.

Services to be removed without replacement include some at the West Lakes, Port Adelaide and Marion interchanges.

GoZone services operate approximately every 15 minutes between 6.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday (every 10 minutes or more in peak time) and every 30 minutes at night, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays until 10pm.

"These proposed changes mean almost a quarter of a million more people will live within 800m of a GoZone – that's a massive boost in frequency for a lot of people," Mr Knoll said.

Mr Knoll said frequency was the number one issues for public transport commuters.

"That's why we are also creating an extra 10 GoZones and extending a further 20 GoZones so people will have buses coming every 15 minutes or less during that period when previously they had to wait much longer," he said.

"This is being achieved by simplifying routes, so more buses run more frequently down main and arterial roads and some buses spend less time weaving through side streets.

"By simplifying routes and increasing frequency, the vast majority of people will get into the city or home faster ... some people may have to walk a couple of hundred metres further to their bus stop, but they will still have a faster journey and save time overall."

Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said scrapping services to encourage more patronage did not make sense.

As part of the overhaul, other aspects being considered include:

■ Uber-style on-demand services in Seacombe Gardens and Seaview Downs, Blackwood, Le Fevre Peninsula and upgraded in Gawler.

■ Bus timetables designed to facilitate connections with train and tram networks

■ Simplified route numbering.

In November 2018, The Advertiser revealed public transport users would be forced to hop between buses, trains and trams to get to their destination quicker under an ambitious plan.

At the time, Mr Knoll asked the State Government's then new South Australian Public Transport Authority to draw influence from other cities, where using multiple forms of transport for one commute are common.

Be interesting to see if Adelaide succeeds where Brisbane failed ...   

[ozbob]

^

Adelaide Metro: The New Network

https://dpti.sa.gov.au/new_public_transport_network

[verbatim9]

No doubt they will push ahead with reform. The community will see the benefits and embrace it with strides.

I see there are lots more HF services which  is well needed in Adelaide. It's only a small city but slow with the bus at the moment for cross town trips.

It will be good once the whole train network is electrified over the next decade.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> More frequent buses will kill stops at empty bus stops, Minister says

Almost half of the Adelaide bus stops to be scrapped under plans for faster and more frequent services are used by just one person each day, the Sunday Mai l can reveal.

The sweeping plans to improve traffic flow and efficiency of the public transport system are expected to prevent buses idling at empty stops along major Adelaide routes.

The State Government will tomorrow announce key changes, with the Opposition vowing to fight plans to remove about 500 bus stops throughout the network, labelling patronage numbers as rubbery.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll spruiked plans – revealed by The Advertiser Friday – that will give about 700,000 South Australians close access to faster, and more frequent, Go Zone bus services.

But Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas branded the changes a retrograde step, saying it was impossible to slash 500 stops without dramatically affecting people.

Statistics show more than eight in 10 (82 per cent) of stops are used by 10 people or less each day, while 46 per cent are used by just one person.

Under the new bus services contract, buses that are operating on 20 major corridors will no longer need to idle at selected stops. On average, dozens of buses remain parked for between two and four minutes daily to adhere to timetables.

Major roads included in the new rules include Dequetteville, Kensington, Port, Payneham, Main North, Prospect, Grange, Henley Beach, Belair and Unley roads, along with Anzac Hwy and The Parade.

"Soon people driving into work or home during peak hour won't have to wait behind a bus that's stopped on the side of the road for minutes at a time to maintain the strict bus timetable," Mr Knoll said.

"With a lot more bus frequency during peak, it means buses can keep going to get passengers where they need to go, fast, and help clear our busy roads."

Mr Knoll said commuters might have to walk a bit further to a more frequent bus service, but more than 200,000 would now have a new Go Zone service close by – bringing the total to about 700,000.

Mr Malinauskas said Labor would fight public transport changes until the next election. He said cuts to stops, services and the system's budget were the biggest in memory.

"More people in our society are going to be reliant on government services. They have decided to proceed with huge rounds of cuts to the various services people are going to rely upon," he said.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Motorists welcome fewer bus routes and stops as traffic flow eases

The motoring lobby has backed cuts to bus routes and bus stops, because commuting times for drivers will improve.

RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said after reviewing the changes revealed by The Advertiser last week, the organisation, which represents 700,000 motorists, was happy with the planned changes.

"RAA is pleased to hear the Marshall Government's plan to roll out more frequent, faster and better connected bus services in metropolitan Adelaide later this year,'' he said.

"Easing traffic congestion and improving the efficiency of our state's public transport system is critically important.

"From surveying our members we know that frequency is a significant factor when people choose to use public transport and we'll be taking a closer look at how the proposed changes will impact traffic flow."

In total, 500 bus stops will disappear, the blow softened by classifying 1089 more stops as "GoZones" where buses arrive more frequently.

The State Government is sticking to claims the service will improve, and says the changes are not because of budget cuts, but will not say how many routes will be cut.

Mr Mountain said the changes would "lure more people to consider public transport use''.

But this has been rejected by public transport user groups and the Opposition, which is concerned about the new average 800m walk to get to the nearest bus stop.

Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis cited Victorian Government statistics which showed the average Melbourne walk to a "high frequency" bus stop was 400m, and under the proposed changes in Adelaide it would be 800m to a "GoZone" stop.

Adelaide already has one of the lowest use rates of public transport in Australia, only 8 per cent of the population commute by bus, train or tram.

Despite buses running for 10 per cent more time since 2011, there has been no increase in passengers. People for Public Transport spokeswoman Margaret Dingle said it welcomed the increased number of GoZones, but not cuts to stops and routes.

"There is no need to take out stops and we are concerned about the average 800m walk to a GoZone which is OK for a young person but for some people, that is a very long way,'' she said.

"We say they have to expand the system and put in more funding.''

People have until July 31 to comment on the website, https://dpti.sa.gov.au/news?a=646421 about how the changes affect them.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Liberal MP Steve Murray vows to 'vigorously and publicly' oppose bus stop cuts proposed by his own government if they're not beneficial to his electorate

Dramatic changes to Adelaide's public transport system are yet to secure the support of at least one Liberal MP, who has raised concerns about his own government's plans.

Davenport MP Steve Murray yesterday said he was "vigorously pursuing additional facts" from Transport Minister Stephan Knoll to ensure the services are beneficial to people in his electorate.

"If I am satisfied with the response I receive over the next few weeks to my questions, I will support the proposed changes, and if not I will oppose them vigorously and publicly," he said.

But Mr Knoll has downplayed the concerns as he urged all South Australians, including Mr Murray, to have their say on the bus changes before July 31 when a public consultation process ends.

Mr Knoll's defence of the proposed public transport changes – which will put thousands of South Australians within 800m of more frequent, faster and direct Go Zone bus routes – continued yesterday.

South Australian Council on intellectual Disabilities Executive director Felicity Crowther raised concerns about the complexity of the changes and how they would affect some people.

Sarah Byrne, who works at the council, said it had been very difficult to work out what the changes mean for her.

"I use public transport a lot - to go to work, to go shopping," she said.

"I use the app a lot to find the numbers and to connect with the routes as well, but it can be confusing for me."

Ms Crowther said it could take some people with disabilities about two months to learn how to catch a bus, with many spending NDIS allowances to pay for support to learn.

The Government has set up a website to help people navigate the changes to their bus routes.

It includes maps for each of the proposed routes.

The Government has not released a list of the 500 bus stops that will go as part of the overhaul arguing the details can be found on the website.

The Opposition has made repeated calls for a list to be released. Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis pointed to Mr Murray's concerns as proof the overhaul was going to have a negative impact on commuters.

Mr Knoll said the Government was aiming to increase the quality of service across the state and get more "bums on seats". He said the use of public transport plummeted under Labor.

"That is the biggest bit of feedback we received, that the reason that people were not using the service was because it didn't provide a level of frequency that they felt comfortable using," Mr Knoll told parliament.

"Where we can get frequency of service to below 12 minutes, and ideally around eight minutes or less in peak, people will stop looking at a timetable, just rock up to a bus stop and then expect that bus to come.

"That is feedback that we have listened to as a government and it is part of the reforms that we announced over the weekend."

The public transport overhaul has promised to give about 700,000 South Australians closer access to faster, and more frequent, Go Zone bus services.

[ozbob]

SA Bus Route Changes
By Greg Barila on 12 Jun 2020

[Gazza]

Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis cited Victorian Government statistics which showed the average Melbourne walk to a "high frequency" bus stop was 400m, and under the proposed changes in Adelaide it would be 800m to a "GoZone" stop.

There is absolutely no way Melbourne has a 400m average walk to HF buses.