TRAM TICKETS

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Transport, a question regarding tram ticket validations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: One morning recently—just a couple of weeks ago—a Family First representative on the 8:10am tram from Glenelg noted a few very interesting facts. The tram was completely full by the Morphett Road stop, and it skipped five stops because it was full. It was so full that, when it did stop at other stops, passengers could not actually get on the tram. From the Morphett Road stop—that is, from Morphett Road into the city—only 24 people were able to actually cram themselves into the first cabin and, of those, only five were able to validate their tickets.

The upshot of all that is that, essentially, even if people were able to get on the tram, they were not able to access the ticket validating machine or to make contact with the conductor, who was stuck down at the other end of the tram.

Recent data has shown that there has been approximately a 10 per cent increase in tram ticket validations on the Glenelg line since it was extended, and this is in stark contrast to the claim from the minister that there has been an increase in patronage of some 39 per cent. So, just looking at those figures, approximately 29 per cent of people are travelling without paying—and I am sure that it is not their wish to do so.

My question is: what steps is the government taking to resolve this inconvenience for people and to ensure that an appropriate revenue stream is available in order to adequately service and maintain our already strained tram network?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:29): I am happy to refer those questions to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in another place and bring back a response. I find it quite incredible that this was a tram that was deemed to be 'the tram to nowhere'; the tram that we did not need and did not want. So, I find it quite remarkable that the member is bringing up these particular concerns of high usage rates and the implications of that on the system.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am pleased that the member voted for it but, in fact, many people in this chamber did not.