THE RAA is calling for the Barossa’s on-demand bus service to continue, as part of a budget submission to the State Government.

The state motoring body is seeking a financial boost to public transport in the upcoming release of the State Budget to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

RAA senior manager safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain said strategic planning for the future was a key requirement of State Governments despite the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognise the role of public transport to help ease traffic congestion and the level of vehicle emissions, which is why we are urging the state government to invest further in this network,’’ he said.

As part of its budget submission, RAA is seeking funding to continue the on-demand bus services in Mount Barker and the Barossa, and extend them to other regional towns such Victor Harbor and Goolwa, and between Kadina and Wallaroo.

The Barossa on-demand service was launched for a six month trail in January, as a temporary extension of the existing Dial-a-Ride service, and separately to the permanent on-demand service in Gawler.

On-Demand public transport services work in a similar fashion to ridesharing apps, enabling passengers to order a bus, when and where they need it, to take them anywhere within the service area.

At the end of the trial, the Barossa service, which was operated by Keoride, gradually reduced its fleet from five to one vehicle and now only operates on weekdays.

A notice to the public on the Keoride booking website states that while the growth in usage during the trial period was encouraging it was not sufficient to enable the service levels of the trial to continue to be maintained.

Meanwhile, the RAA has also called for an extension of the Seaford rail line to Aldinga, and the establishment of an annual $2 million bus shelter fund accessible to councils.