MAJOR changes to Gawler’s local bus services, including three routes becoming on-demand only, are set to be included in a significant overhaul of Adelaide’s public transport network.

The State Government announced plans on Monday for changes to Adelaide’s bus services, with public consultation on the strategy now open.

For Gawler commuters, the town’s buses are set for n overhaul, with the existing 491, 492 and 495 fixed routes to be changed to on-demand services.

These routes connected the Gawler East, Hewett and Willaston areas to the centre of town.

The 493 and 494 routes, which service Gawler South and Evanston, will remain as fixed services working to a timetable which will be calibrated to match the Gawler rail line’s schedule.

Member for Light Tony Piccolo said the local bus changes will impact families, particularly those with either one or no family car.

“This is an appalling act of vandalism that further proves the Marshall Government is determined to privatise public transport services,” he said.

“This will mean more cars on the road and more traffic and car parking chaos at busy railway stations and schools.

“It seems there will only be a revised on demand service, and details on that are scant from the minister and DPTI (the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure), so it’s hard to say how this will impact on Gawler and surrounding areas.”

More than 500 bus stops across Adelaide are set to go as part of the plan, as services move to travelling down fewer side streets and more arterial main roads.

Connecting suburban bus services with existing train services is a priority of the State Government’s new strategy, with the completion of the Gawler Rail Line Electrification Project set to provide expanded carriage capacity.

Transport minister Stephan Knoll said connecting buses to train services would “benefit more South Australians than ever before”.

“By simplifying routes and increasing frequency, the vast majority of people will get into the city or home faster,” he said.

“As we said from the outset when we announced the new contract, 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.

“We are seeking public feedback on these proposed improvements to bus services that will see better, faster and more frequent services.”

Public consultation ends on July 31, with the changes set to be implemented towards the end of this year.

To view the plans and make a submission, go to https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/.

New bus plan to prioritise electrified Gawler line

THE only direct bus between Elizabeth and Adelaide is set to be cut as the State Government pushes public transport commuters towards the Gawler rail line.

A raft of changes to Adelaide Metro’s bus network are set to see connector bus routes across the north changed to travel down fewer side streets and their timetables will be recalibrated to offer arrival times in line with local train services.

The biggest change is to the 228 bus service, which currently runs from Smithfield to Adelaide and cuts through suburbs such as Elizabeth Downs along the way.

It is the only bus which travels directly to Adelaide from the Playford area, and also stops near the Women’s and Children’s Hospital closer to the city.

Under the new plan, it will be renamed to the 405 service and will run from Elizabeth to the Mawson Lakes interchange, directly down Main North Road, before connecting with train services.

It means a direct bus route from Playford to Adelaide will no longer exist, with the State Government planning on the increased capacity of the electrified Gawler line to handle extra passengers.

Transport minister Stephan Knoll said travelling down fewer side streets and connecting to train services would mean more frequent services for commuters.

“These proposed changes mean almost a quarter of a million more people will live within 800 metres of a Go Zone – that’s a massive boost in frequency for a lot of people,” he said.

“The number one issue for public transport users is frequency – they want more services, more often.”

Under the State Government’s plan, more than 500 bus stops are set to be axed across Adelaide.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said the State Government is planning the “biggest cuts to public transport in South Australia’s history”.

“(Premier) Steven Marshall’s public transport cuts mean fewer services, fewer routes and fewer stops which will make life harder for commuters,” he said.

“These cuts will hurt commuters across Adelaide – north, south, east and west.

“Commuters are already paying more due to fare hikes, now they’ll be getting less due to these cuts.”