GAWLER train commuters have seen crowded carriages and reduced services on the Gawler rail line continue into this week, with the State Government adamant public transport is still safe to use.

Adelaide Metro’s metropolitan train network saw services reduced a fortnight ago after a mechanical fault was identified in the drive train in 50 of the network’s 70 diesel rail carts.

These 50 carts were immediately taken off the tracks to fix the problem, although the State Government did not have enough spare replacement parts to repair all of them.

For Gawler patrons, it saw services reduced to once every 30 minutes and the number of carriages on each service cut.

Photos of packed trains where commuters have been forced to ignore social distancing requirements to fit on board have since emerged on social media.

Member for Light Tony Piccolo called the crowded trains the “disease express” and said the State Government had “displayed a great deal of insensitivity” towards commuters.

“For many people, public transport is their only affordable option, and not all families can afford a second or third car, or even a first car,” he said.

“Mr Knoll (transport minister Stephan Knoll) has demonstrated a clear indifference to the important role public transport plays in our community.

“While the current situation is completely unacceptable, this will be norm once the service is privatised.”

The crowded trains have led to mixed messages from the State Government and South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer professor Nicola Spurrier.

Professor Spurrier told FIVEaa radio on Friday that the public should avoid getting on public transport to ensure social distancing and stop the spread of COVID-19.

During a press conference on Monday though, Premier Steven Marshall urged the public to “exercise caution” when using public transport, but said social distancing requirements are inapplicable to trains, buses and trams.

“We are again concerned with some of the images (of crowded trains) and we are asking people to exercise caution when getting on public transport,” he said.

“What we saw last week was a lot of people getting on earlier or getting on later. This really did spread that load and we’re asking people to continue with this.

“Right from day one dealing with COVID-19, public transport has been an exemption from the restrictions.

“It is one of those areas which is exempt from the restrictions, like schools have been and other forms of transport have been. We’ve got to keep our state and we’ve got to keep our nation moving.”

The Gawler line will also be closed between Gawler and Gawler Central stations on the weekend of May 30 and 31 and Saturday June 6 to last service Monday, June 8 to allow for Gawler Rail Line Electrification Project works.