BUS CONTRACTS

178 Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (17 July 2012).

1. How many fines were issued for fare evasion on buses, trains, and trams since 2009 and what was the combined total of the fines in each year?

2. What was the bus contract cost per service kilometre for Adelaide Metro services in each year since 2009?

3. What were the total number of bus, train and tram boardings in each year since 2009?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services): I am advised:

1. In the financial years, 2008-09; 2009-10; 2010-11 and 2011-12, 684; 640; 450 and 575 expiation notices were issued respectively. These figures do not distinguish between fare evasion and behavioural offences; however, the majority are for fare evasion. This represents fines totalling $150,480 in 2008-09; $140,800 in 2009-10; $99,000 in 2010-11; and $126,500 in 2011-12.

2. The average Adelaide Metro bus service cost per service kilometre for 2008-09 was $3.47; $3.70 for 2009-10; $3.73 for 2010-11; and $3.64 for 2011-12.

3. Total boardings (initial and transfer boardings) for 2008-09 were 67.523 million; 68.378 million for 2009-10; 65.949 million for 2010-11; and 63.514 million for 2011-12.

The decrease in patronage for 2010-11 and 2011-12 is related to major rail line closures (with additional patronage impact on feeder bus services). In 2011-12 closures included the Noarlunga rail line from early February until mid July 2011, the closure of the Gawler line from mid September until late March 2012 (both for major rail revitalisation works), as well as the closure from late February of the Tonsley line and reduced services on the Grange line.

In addition, traffic disruptions associated with projects such as the North-South Pipeline, Southern Expressway duplication and the Harris Scarfe redevelopment in the Central Business District impacted operations and had a negative affect on patronage. In response, the State Government has developed new timetables which came into operation on July 1, 2012. These changes have been made to better reflect travel times across Adelaide and together with the introduction of bus priority lanes on Currie and Grenfell Streets, are expected to improve customer confidence in the services and lead to an increase in patronage.