News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Buses

[ChillyPhilly]

$26 concession return for Melbourne's Skybus.

Adelaide? A tenth of the price. Bargain.

[rubberman]

I'll have to ride it to see what the fuss is about.

On the one hand, it's just a bus. It's not like a bus to Adelaide Airport is a new idea.

On the other hand, why the negative comments? It's only a renter. So if it doesn't work, big deal, we just don't extend the lease. If it works, then we can extend the concept maybe.

Good to see the government trying different things.

[Llessur2002]

Skybus is fine - nothing too out of the ordinary, just an articulated bus with luggage racks and TV screens for tourism videos. Once you get to the city you can interchange to get a smaller bus to most CBD hotels. I think the advantage lies within its regularity - every 10 mins I think from directly outside of the terminal.

However, it is surprisingly expensive - an adult return is $30. If there are more than two of you then it's almost worth paying a bit extra to get a taxi directly to your hotel in order to save the time spent changing bus for the hotel connection.

The Adelaide Jetbus seems like a great idea - and what's the harm in a trial? Yes, the frequency might not be as good as Melbourne but passenger numbers are lower. Plus, if this trial works well then presumably further buses could be added to the route and a more regular service introduced. The double-decker option is something a bit different (I'm 34 and I still secretly get a bit excited when I get to ride on one ) and as long as there's ample luggage space downstairs then it gets my vote.

I flew back into Adelaide on a Monday morning a couple of weeks ago and took the bus into the CBD for work. Cost me $3.39 and took about 20 minutes. That's pretty good value in my book. Plus, if the Jetbus was non-stop then you'd almost rival a taxi in terms of journey time and save enough money for lunch when you get into the city.

I do agree that the bus terminal (a grand word I know for what is essentially a traffic island) at the airport is a little out of the way and uninviting - it's largely hidden behind the taxi rank and you tend to get hammered by wind blowing across the airfield. It would be good to bring it closer to the terminal as per Melbourne (perhaps make some use of the old ramp?) and make it more appealing but all in all that's a minor issue.

I'm all for a light rail link to the airport eventually (although unless we can do both I prefer the slightly longer but more attractive/vibrant Henley Beach Road route over the uninviting but direct Sir D.B. Drive route) but this seems like a good alternative in the meantime.

Looking forward to this addition to Adelaide's transport network.

[Phantom]

I'm actually loving the fact that not only will we have this, but it will also be made in Australia!

[Brucetiki]

This is a brilliant concept - all the benefits of Skybus (plus the added benefit of no additional shuttle bus to the hotel) at a fraction of the price. Hopefully it's a success and more of the buses come on board.

[Phantom]

The double decker is now out and about on the roads.

[MessiahAndrw]

The double decker is now out and about on the roads.

Awesome! Care to share some pics please?

[Phantom]

From the ABC's website: (This is the livery it's using)

I'll try and snap a picture of it in its natural habitat of Victoria Square soon.

[The Scooter Guy]

Take a look at the double-decker pics taken on my first ride!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanthesc ... 559452730/

[Brucetiki]

Take a look at the double-decker pics taken on my first ride!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanthesc ... 559452730/

Some fantastic pics, and those photos are anything to go by, this bus is a fantastic addition to the fleet. I actually want to get the bus to the airport now!

[ChillyPhilly]

Take a look at the double-decker pics taken on my first ride!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanthesc ... 559452730/

Some fantastic pics, and those photos are anything to go by, this bus is a fantastic addition to the fleet. I actually want to get the bus to the airport now!

Echoing what Brucetiki said! Great photos Scooter Guy. Is there enough baggage space on board for x number of people? For some reason I was expecting to see an overhead baggage storage rack.

[david.c-s]

Glad it happened must have a chuckle that this is a big deal just moved to Sydney and I watch this style used for standard routes cruising down the M1 outside my office everyday

[PeFe]

Interesting article on Adelaide bus routes/passenger numbers.

http://www.news.com.au/national/the-bus ... 7388861472

[[Shuz]]

Looking at that data, it makes sense for trams to run down The Parade and Goodwood Road, to absorb the sheer passenger volumes travelled along these routes.

[rubberman]

Interesting figures for buses there.

For comparison: Adelaide, Population 1.25million, 50 million passenger boardings per year (excluding suburban trains).
Prague, Population 1.25 million, 1 Billion passenger boardings per year (excluding suburban trains).

That's NOT a criticism in any way. Merely an indication of the potential traffic that could be carried by PT if the system were there to be used.