TRAIN commuters have enjoyed a return to normal services since last week, but the state opposition is demanding more public transport options throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adelaide Metro announced on Thursday the mechanical fault identified in 50 of South Australia’s 70 metropolitan diesel carts had been fixed, and the state’s public transport system would be back to running at full capacity.

The mechanical fault saw train services, including for the Gawler rail line, slashed and the number of carriages reduced as the 50 faulty carts sat idle waiting for repair.

A statement on Adelaide Metro’s website last week confirmed the return to normal services.

“The safety of our passengers is our number one priority,” it read.

“These measures were necessary to ensure that inspection and rectification of the mechanical issue could be undertaken.”

A shuttle bus between the Mawson Lakes train station and the city will continue to run throughout this week to help spread out passengers on the Gawler line during the peak morning times of 7.30am to 8.30am.

During the period of reduced services, photos on social media showed crowded carriages on the Gawler line where COVID-19 pandemic social distancing measures were forced to be ignored.

Since the pandemic started, public transport has been exempt from ensuring 1.5m between passengers, with the State Government discouraging people who feel sick from catching trains, trams and buses.

However, the state’s Chief Public Health Officer professor Nicola Spurrier advised the public to avoid catching crowded trains altogether.

At the height of the pandemic, the State Government said public transport patronage had dropped by 70 per cent, but as workplaces reopen, the number of commuters is set to rise.

Labor transport spokesperson Tom Koutsantonis said the State Government needed to formulate a plan to keep public transport safe during the pandemic.

“The Marshall Liberal Government has handled this manner in a chaotic and confusing manner, with mixed messages and broken promises,” he said.

“There is no plan.

“In the middle of a pandemic, passengers need clear, consistent information and a plan from the government to help ease congestion.”

Premier Steven Marshall said during a press conference last week the State Government was waiting on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee before formulating a plan for public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.