Murray Bridge Public Transport

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().6 July 2022).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has advised:

On 28 June 2022, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport commenced phase 1 of a competitive market process for the regional bus service contracts. Phase 2 contracts are to be released to market in mid-2023.

Services from Murray Bridge to the Adelaide metropolitan area are included in the Murray Mallee contract which is included in phase 2 of the competitive market process.

The objectives of the department's regional bus service contract procurement project are:

to procure bus services for regional South Australia that are viable and sustainable to meet government, departmental and community needs;

consolidate the existing 28 contracts into 19 new contract areas;

build operator capability across the regions to achieve greater service integration; and

provide a fully DDA compliant fleet in accordance with part 4 of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Tenderers will be able to provide non-conforming bids on potential service enhancements, efficiencies and innovation for each contract area.