News & Discussion: Public Transport Contracts, Service & Policy

[Vee]

with the new info-centre at the railway station, it looks like you can just walk into the info centre and then in and out of the platform area bypassing the turnstiles

So when the numbers visiting the info-centre (and bypassing the turnstiles) reach an absolute flood the penny might drop?

On another note, It was reported today on Adelaide Now that a disabled man had to wait for 6 buses before he could board one with wheelchair access. The Transport Services Minister said that all AdelaideMetro buses would have wheelchair access by 2019 as part of a 2.6 billion investment in public transport. Currently, 82% of Adelaide buses are wheelchair accessible.

This investment is good news and overdue but what can be done in the interim?

It appears that some routes get a disproportionate number of very old buses that present quite a challenge for the disabled and the elderly. This includes the relatively shorter routes eg the eastern suburbs.

[[Shuz]]

It appears that some routes get a disproportionate number of very old buses that present quite a challenge for the disabled and the elderly. This includes the relatively shorter routes eg the eastern suburbs.

Doesn't the Eastern suburbs have a higher proportion of elderly residents compared to other districts in Adelaide? It certianly appears to be that way - so if anything, you would think that accesibility would be a priority in this area.

Chloe Fox got given a very depressing portfolio. All she probably ever gets are 90% complaints and 10% tram fantasies.

[Hooligan]

I have not even seen one of the gawler line replacement buses with wheelchair access.

[crawf]

with the new info-centre at the railway station, it looks like you can just walk into the info centre and then in and out of the platform area bypassing the turnstiles

It certainly looks that way. I was there yesterday and was trying to work out how the hell it works! There's arrows on the ground showing "queue here" but how the hell can you simply bypass the turnstiles? Is it just unfinished? Or another typical half cut project?

The new info-centre design looks good, but it does look like you can just bypass those pointless turnstiles and hop on a train . In other news LED screens have been errected underneath the footbridge over the concourse, showcasing departure times for each railway line.

The long seat row has also been pushed back further towards the eastern wall, which has given the concourse more open space. PLUS Station Arcade looks to be undergoing an upgrade with parts of the ceiling missing.

[metro]

About that info centre, perhaps it's not quite finished. The next job is probably to replace the turnstiles with something new that takes both tickets, but that probably wont happen until sometime next year. Whenever it does happen it is possible they will be positioned in a way that makes it so that you cant use the info centre to bypass the gates. I dont know, we'll just have to wait and see.

and I think Station Arcade might have recently had aircon installed. I remember walking through there in summer times and it being really hot, now it's a bit cooler. It needs to have better opening hours. The number of times i've come into the city on weekends, walked through that underpass under north tce only to find the escalators are closed off and the lift open but not working

[crawf]

It does look like a new a/c is being installed. Parts of Station Arcade have a unsafe dingy look and feel, so hopefully some renovations will take place here soon.

The current turnstiles are pointless and confusing for visitors and locals. I'm hoping that if new turnstiles are introduced, they should validate tickets/cards like they do in every other city around the world instead of on trains.

This should apply to all stations aswell, but it looks like it wont be the case. Another 'only in Adelaide'

[Aidan]

with the new info-centre at the railway station, it looks like you can just walk into the info centre and then in and out of the platform area bypassing the turnstiles

It certainly looks that way. I was there yesterday and was trying to work out how the hell it works! There's arrows on the ground showing "queue here" but how the hell can you simply bypass the turnstiles? Is it just unfinished? Or another typical half cut project?

Having bypassed the turnstiles, I can tell you there's a human there to check your ticket if you do.

[ac83]

with the new info-centre at the railway station, it looks like you can just walk into the info centre and then in and out of the platform area bypassing the turnstiles

It certainly looks that way. I was there yesterday and was trying to work out how the hell it works! There's arrows on the ground showing "queue here" but how the hell can you simply bypass the turnstiles? Is it just unfinished? Or another typical half cut project?

Having bypassed the turnstiles, I can tell you there's a human there to check your ticket if you do.

Well that makes complete sense! Case closed! Next gripe?

[Norman]

A few pics are here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 791&type=1

[metro]

looks like conductors will be seen less often once the metro card is introduced

http://guardian-messenger.whereilive.co ... -numbered/

Tram conductor days are numbered

TRAM conductors are likely to be consigned to the history books when the State Government phases in automated ticketing next year.

The Transport Department last week confirmed a new smartcard system on trams, buses and trains would be introduced late next year.

Under the new system passengers would scan their card against a machine for a fare to be deducted.

A department spokeswoman said it had been in discussions with tram employees on “a range of issues including the future role of conductors”.

She said there would be no “blanket removal” of conductors when the new system came in, but some trams would have no conductors because it was no longer a requirement for them to be on every service.

“(The ticket system) will make boarding trains, trams and buses simpler and faster, therefore improving the efficiency of the entire network.”

She said drivers would keep an eye on passengers via CCTV cameras and there were no concerns vandalism would increase.

Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union branch secretary Ashley Waddell said there were no concerns conductors would lose their jobs because they would instead work as drivers.

“We haven’t had conductors who are just conductors for a long time,” Mr Waddell said.

“They are multi-skilled tram operators and they drive and do conductor shifts so that’s why it won’t affect jobs.”

[SRW]

There's actually debate in Melbourne at the moment about whether to reintroduce tram conductors, given the prevalence of fare evasion. I understand that manning every tram might no longer be necessary, but there's a case to be made for keeping them on most trams especially during peak times. In addition to preventing fare evasion, I reckon that conductors personalise the system, being a helpful and watchful presence.

[[Shuz]]

If ticket prices weren't so bloody expensive, there wouldn't be as much fare evasion. And, good, I'd be happy to see the conductors go. They're a waste of money.

[crawf]

This was bound to happen eventually, just like on trains.

There's actually debate in Melbourne at the moment about whether to reintroduce tram conductors, given the prevalence of fare evasion. I understand that manning every tram might no longer be necessary, but there's a case to be made for keeping them on most trams especially during peak times. In addition to preventing fare evasion, I reckon that conductors personalise the system, being a helpful and watchful presence.

True.

My ex works at Adelaide Metro and some of the stories he used to tell me. People are just feral.

[[Shuz]]

My ex works at Adelaide Metro and some of the stories he used to tell me. People are just feral.

If your ex is who I think it is... it's a small world.

[Hooligan]

Which lost their conductors first? Buses or trains?