EXTRA train services and fewer carriage seats on the Gawler rail line have been introduced to stop crowding on public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Government announced a number of changes to public transport on Friday following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

For Gawler rail line commuters, morning and afternoon peak periods will be extended with extra services running during these times.

Carriage seating will be reduced on all services though, with trains moving from two-by-three seat arrangements to two-by-two.

A shuttle bus from the Mawson Lakes train station to the Adelaide CBD will also be on standby if increased patronage warrants extra services.

Transport minister Stephan Knoll said people who feel sick should avoid public transport.

“Currently patronage on public transport is down around 70 per cent and we will be rolling these additional measures out as our economy opens up and more people catch a train, tram or bus,” he said.

“We also echo the advice of health officials and encourage South Australians to take personal responsibility for their travel arrangements and their behaviour on public transport.

“As the health officials have said, that could mean staggering your travel where possible, not traveling during peak periods unless it’s essential and avoiding public transport if you’re unwell.”

Commuters will also now have to validate their trips using a metrocard, with the entire public transport network going cash-free.

It means users will not be able to pay for a single fare with cash, and will need to purchase a metrocard from a supplier prior to catching the train tram or bus.

In a press conference on Friday, Premier Steven Marshall acknowledged removing cash payment would be a significant change for some, but said most people were already using metrocards anyway.

“Metrocard availability is right there, right now,” he said.

“I know that it’s difficult for people to make this transition, but can I just say, many people have had to make lots and lots transitions since March of this year.

“It is an inconvenience, but there are a lot of inconveniences at this time.”

Uni-directional arrows on train and tram floors to promote one-way movement, Perspex screens for vehicle operators and staggered arrivals for trains at the Adelaide Railway Station to avoid large crowds will also be introduced.

The changes came after train services were slashed due to a technical fault identified in 50 of Adelaide Metro’s 70 diesel train carts which saw them taken off the tracks.

As a result, images of crowded carriages emerged on social media during peak periods, despite a 70 per cent patronage drop.

It prompted calls from the opposition for the State Government to develop its public transport plan before the AHPPC advice.