Answers to Questions

Bus Services

688 The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (2 April 2019). With regards to public transport bus contracts—

(a) On what date do the current public transport bus contracts expire?

(b) Will an extension to the current bus contracts be granted and if yes, until what date?

(c) For how long will the 'electronic data room' run for? (Please provide dates of opening and closing)?

(d) For how long will the whole tender process run for and when will it close? (Please provide dates)?

(e) On what date are the new contracts required to come into effect?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning): I have been advised of the following—

(a) Metropolitan public transport bus contracts expire on 30 June 2019. In relation to regional public transport bus contracts the expiry dates are as follows:

Eight contracts expire on 31 March 2020

Eleven contracts expire on 30 June 2019

Four contracts expire on 28 February 2024

One contract expires on 1 November 2024

One contract expires on 31 October 2019

One contract expires on 31 January 2021

One contract expires on 30 April 2021

One contract expires on 31 December 2026

(b) A short-term extension to the current contracts which are due to expire on 30 June 2019 will be required in order to ensure that we have enough time to conduct a tender process that will drive the level of change and improvement that is required to allow the industry to respond in an innovative way and achieve a world class bus service network and service in Adelaide.

(c) The data room for the metropolitan bus contracts will be in use for the duration of the competitive tender process.

(d) The time frames for the tender process are being developed based on feedback from the industry as part of a recent market sounding process and will provide sufficient time for the market to develop innovative strategies to improve bus transport in Adelaide.

(e) The new metropolitan bus contracts will come into effect upon expiry of the current contracts, as extended. The new regional contracts are required to come into effect the day following the expiry of the current regional contracts.