Ministerial Statement

Public Transport

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement and note that the printed copies of this are on their way and will be here momentarily.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order!

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I rise today to talk in relation to the state government's ongoing commitment to improve South Australia's public transport system. Bus patronage represents about 80 per cent of public transport use in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The state government is working to ensure that the community is provided with the best possible public transport services which also represent value for money to the state. Passenger bus services in metropolitan Adelaide are currently provided by private operators.

The existing contracts expire on 30 June 2019. Following consultation with bus operators and key stakeholders from across multiple state government departments, the government has exercised an option under section 39(2) of the Passenger Transport Act 1994 to proceed with a competitive tender process for the purchase of Adelaide metropolitan bus services. This decision means that existing bus service contracts will not be extended. As part of the procurement process, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will seek input from the market on innovative approaches to the delivery of passenger bus services in Adelaide.

The Passenger Transport Act provides a framework for the competitive tendering of public transport services in South Australia. These new contracts will enable the new Marshall Liberal government to initiate the future plan for public transport in South Australia by establishing contracts that encourage innovation and are responsive to social and technological changes. This complements our vision to create the South Australian Public Transport Authority, which will aim to increase public transport patronage, review public transport fare structures and work towards delivering a better public transport system for all South Australians.

SAPTA will be dedicated to delivering efficient public transport services for all areas of metropolitan Adelaide and, where feasible, providing innovative public transport options in the regions. SAPTA's mission will be to provide public transport services which are affordable, safe and secure, frequent along key corridors, clean and comfortable, easy to understand and use, friendly with helpful drivers and staff, and inclusive, including accessible to people with mobility challenges.