Sensational-Adelaide.com

ml69 wrote:One thing that annoys me about Adelaide's rail network (particularly the heavily-used Gawler and Seaford lines which account for around two-thirds of all rail trips in Adelaide) is the closeness of the stations.

Stations are roughly 1km apart, meaning frequent stopping and starting and a much longer ride from the outer suburbs. Surely this must add an unnecessary extra 10 mins coming from Gawler or Seaford? Why can't we get rid of all the low-frequented stations (saving maintenance costs) and improving park and ride facilities and safety at the remaining highly-frequented stations?

This may result in the reduction of, perhaps, half of our stations. But I don't see a problem with this, a metro rail system should provide fast and efficient transport for lots of people. It shouldn't be designed to provide a stop within 500m of each house along the rail corridor. That's the role of buses and trams.

This principle already works well for the Obahn. There are only 3 stops on the Obahn - Klemzig, Paradise and TTP. Buses feed these interchanges, and the car parks are usually full. It only takes 6 mins from Paradise to Hackney Rd on the edge of the CBD in peak hour!

Another great example are the Joondalup (now Clarkson) and Mandurah rail lines in Perth. The Clarkson line is 33km long (about the length of the Seaford line) with just 10 stations. The Mandurah line is 70km long with 8 stations. However each station is very modern with extensive floodlit car parking and allows for connecting buses to the local catchment area. Both these lines each carry over 50,000 passengers per day.

Why can't we do the same? We have similar low density sprawling outer suburbs like Perth. Any thoughts?

ChillyPhilly wrote: I do agree about the spread of stations though, it's congested between Parafield Gardens and Mawson Lakes. Most of the stops have low patronage and are often skipped anyway.

Hooligan wrote:How far is Greenfields from Mawson Lakes? It would only be about 600 metres or so away? That's bus stop distance.

Hooligan wrote:Maybe people could learn to walk 600 metres?

Hooligan wrote:Maybe people could learn to walk 600 metres?

Aidan wrote:

Hooligan wrote:Maybe people could learn to walk 600 metres?

The main problem isn't walking 600m, it's walking another 600m beyond the distance they already walk.

Another problem is land value. Those who live very near Greenfields station (and originally paid a premium to do so) would lose a substantial part of the value of their houses.

Transfield and South Link bus drivers to strike on Sunday


TICKET inspectors have been out in force along Adelaide's busy O-Bahn this morning on the first day of industrial action launched by the unions.

Confusion over whether commuters will be fined for not validating tickets has escalated, with Transport Services Minister Chloe Fox saying on FIVEaa radio this morning that people would not be fined.

A spokesman for the Minister said that while commuters could technically be fined, "common sense would prevail" and they would not be.

This stance contradicts that of the Transport Department, who yesterday said passengers without tickets would face $220 on-the-spot fines because they are "legally and morally obliged to pay".

Public Transport Services deputy chief executive Lino Di Lernia said commuters had an obligation to pay for the service despite industrial action.

"As far as (today) being a free public transport day, it's definitely not the case," Mr Di Lernia said.



A ticket inspector boards an O-Bahn bus at Paradise interchange this morning to ensure commuters validated their tickets. Pic: Sam Wundke.

Have you been fined today for not validating your ticket? Tell us below.

Commuters on many buses along the O-Bahn this morning were given a choice not to pay for tickets as union drivers waived fares in order to receive better working conditions.

One driver told a female student she was "obliged to pay" but would not tell her "what to do".

At the Paradise Interchange ticket inspectors boarded city-bound buses announcing to passengers to have their validated tickets ready.

One inspector would not comment when approached by The Advertiser.



Commuters at the Tea Tree Plaza Interchange.

Many commuters said they were happy to pay as they had Metrocards, but some said they were disappointed with inspectors revenue raising on a day when the union is shining a light on the industry.

"It's blatant revenue raising," one man said.

"I won't be validating my ticket because they have ticket inspectors out today."

"I'll get on the bus and see what happens," another female commuter said.

"I support the strike."



PAIN: Early morning commuters line up for a bus at the Noarlunga Centre Interchange.

Drivers told The Advertiser that despite the industrial action most commuters were validating their tickets.

On the return trip to the city The Advertiser was ordered to validate its ticket by a driver who said he was not a member of the union.

Transport Workers Union state branch secretary Ray Wyatt said he would welcome bus inspectors on the network today.

"If the Government is going to have investigators on buses that will work for us because it will make buses more safe, which is what we want,'' he said.

The union has stepped up its industrial action against Transfield and SouthLink bus companies by deciding to strike this Sunday.

Union members will walk off the job between 10am and 2pm and attend an "awareness campaign'' with their families in the city to highlight their cause.

The first round of industrial action begins today, with union members driving for the two companies refusing to collect fares or enforce ticket validation indefinitely.

Services affected include the O-Bahn, some in the Adelaide Hills and northern and southern suburbs.

Opposition Transport spokeswoman Vickie Chapman said 92 per cent of bus fares go to Government revenue "so it's obviously in the Government's interest to say passengers have to pay anyway''.

Commuters who use the Park 'n' Ride facilities at Tea Tree Plaza could also feel a sting if they fail to validate their ticket.

The system that charges $2 parking for O-Bahn users will resort to casual fares if the commuter has not validated their ticket within two hours of exiting the car park.

This will result in a charge of $10 for using the Park 'n' Ride facilities.

A spokesman for Transport Services Minister Chloe Fox referred questions about the Government's handling of the industrial dispute to Attorney General John Rau, whose office said the action was "primarily a matter between the employers, the union and their representatives".


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6812151805