ADELAIDE RAILWAY STATION

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Transport Services. Can the minister inform the house about the new customer information centre at the Adelaide Railway Station?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:46): I thank the member for his question. I am very pleased to announce that I recently opened the $1 million customer information centre at the Adelaide Railway Station. The 40,000 people who use that station every day will benefit from this state-of-the-art centre. It is part of our $2 billion investment in the public transport network over 10 years, and will assist passengers with bus, train and tram journey planning, timetables, ticketing and real-time updates on train services.

This centre has a strong focus on face-to-face customer service. No longer will customers or commuters be served from behind a grille or a small window; they will actually get to speak to a real person. Even better, disability access and services such as touch screens, audio loops, Braille and improved access through wider doorways will be available.

The reason my portfolio was designed was to provide a greater opportunity to listen and respond to the needs of South Australian commuters, and this centre is a demonstration of exactly that. As the transport services minister I will be responsible for the operation of trains, trams and buses, the administration of bus contracts, special event services, regional services, provincial city bus services, alternative services during major rail projects, and the public transport works program, including minor rail refurbishment.

As the transport services minister I will be responsible for the regulation of the South Australian taxi industry, and strategies to increase public transport patronage in metropolitan Adelaide. As transport services minister I will be responsible for transport services operations, including light vehicle registration, delivery of driver licensing, and light vehicle inspections and vehicle standards.

As transport services minister I will be responsible for a number of funds, including $5 million over four years for bus shelters, $2 million each year over four years for disability improvements to shelters, stations and centres, and $25 million over four years for minor works. My legislative responsibilities include the Passenger Transport Act 1994, the Motor Vehicles Act covering light vehicle registration, and the Road Traffic Act covering light vehicle standards and inspections.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.C. FOX: The development of a transport services portfolio is a reflection of this huge, indeed this unprecedented, investment that this government has made in public transport in this state: $2 billion. We are committed to this investment—it would appear that not everyone is—and we are committed to ensuring that our commuters get as much benefit as they can out of the improvements we are making, and will continue to make, to this very important network.