Belair Rail Line

Mr DULUK (Waite) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister please inform the house if the new private operator of the state train network, Keolis Downer, has made any changes to the enforcement of the number of bicycles per carriage, particularly on the Belair line, and how is the government working to resolve this issue for the Mitcham Hills community? Sir, with your leave and that of the house, I will explain a bit further.

Leave granted.

Mr DULUK: There has been quite a bit of recent media comment in relation to this proposed change and commuters of mine are saying to me, and I quote:

A crackdown with only four bikes allowed on board a carriage is leaving bike passengers to wait for two or three train departures before starting their journey. The Mitcham train station has now been packed with riders as they have not been allowed on the Belair train line.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:14): I thank the member for the question. I have made some inquiries about this, and the policy that is being implemented by Keolis Downer is in fact the policy that was put in place under the previous government. That is the policy that is still in place.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: What the new operators are doing is they are going out to community consultation to have a look and see what can be done into the future. Again, I stress the point that the policy that is being implemented is the policy that has been in place for quite a number of years. Again, as that consultation rolls out, I will happily keep the member informed.