THE State Government has confirmed it will privatise the state’s train and tram network – which includes the Gawler line – two months after it refused to rule out the move.

Premier Steven Marshall and transport minister Stephan Knoll announced on Monday that a State Government tender will soon be released to find a private operator for the services.

Rail assets, such as trams, trains, tracks and stations will remain owned by the government and it will continue to set travel fares, but Mr Knoll couldn’t guarantee jobs wouldn’t be cut under a private agreement.

The announcement came on the same day the government released a survey of public transport users, which revealed Gawler line commuters were the least satisfied in the state.

The Gawler line is the most heavily-patronised in South Australia, carrying around 21,000 people a day between Gawler and Adelaide.

Mr Knoll said there was “no doubt” the State Government needed to “provide more customer-focused transport services”.

“We know that public transport patronage growth has stalled, and customers want a better level of service than is currently provided – and the Marshall Government agrees with our customers,” he said.

“Under this model, we will be able to deliver more efficient services, so we can reinvest back into the network to provide better services.

“That’s why the State Government can guarantee maintaining the same service frequency levels and standards and expect an increase in service levels once this model is fully implemented.

“We will ensure through the tender process that the existing frontline workforce will be provided with the greatest level of opportunity for ongoing work.”

Member for Light Tony Piccolo spoke out against privatisation in early June, leading a small protest at Gawler Railway Station opposing any form of privatisation.

“The government’s own budget papers forecast an increase in train and tram patronage to 76.4 million individual journeys in 2018- 19, up from just 58.7 million back in 2001-02,” he said.

“The cuts in services and safety, as well as fare increases, have already started as the Marshall Liberal Government fattens the revenue of Adelaide Metro train services, ready for it to be sacrificed
on the altar of privatisation.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is determined to derail our public transport system.”

The Gawler Road Safety Group took to social media to oppose the cuts, calling for more services and cheaper fares for Gawler patrons.

“Assets should never be sold off for short term gains to make their bottom dollar look better for elections,” the group stated on Facebook.

“All political parties need to look beyond their three year terms and start developing bigger pictures for our state’s economy, jobs and the environment.

“Promote tourism and rural jobs and put back money into communities by expanding the rail network back into the Barossa, Victor Harbor, and the southern Flinders Ranges.”

Electrification will increase capacity

THE Gawler rail line has been promised a 15 per cent increase in capacity during peak hour once the service has been electrified.

The State Government made the announcement on Friday – the same day it announced 12 new electric trains would be purchased to service the line, and just days before it announced the privatisation of the state’s train and tram network.

Three trains deemed surplus to the electrified Seaford and Tonsley lines will complete the 15 train fleet.

Transport minister Stephan Knoll said increasing capacity would encourage more commuters to take the train.

“The Gawler line is our busiest rail line and that’s why we are building more capacity on that line,” he said.

“We also have the ability to increase capacity even further by turning these threecar trains into four-car trains in the future, if required.

“There are a host of housing, commercial and business developments under way or touted to begin in and around our northern suburbs.

“That’s why building this additional capacity into the newly-electrified Gawler line is so important, so we can provide a fast, efficient and customer-focused public transport service to accommodate  this development.”