South Australia looks to trial 'Demand Responsive" transport

The Marshall Government’s public transport reform agenda is stepping up a gear as it looks to drive patronage and deliver more customer focussed public transport services.

Proposals are now being sought through a selected market approach to undertake trials which aim to investigate the potential for ‘demand responsive’ transport services.

The ‘demand responsive’ transport services would operate as part of an integrated transport solution.

The objective of the trial is to improve understanding of new flexible, demand responsive mobility and other emerging transport models which could improve customer outcomes.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said, “The Marshall Government is continuing to reform our public transport network to drive patronage and make public transport services more customer focussed.”

He said overall public transport patronage has been declining over the past three years and Adelaide also has one of the worst levels of integration across their public transport network.

“The Marshall Government reforms will deliver better services and encourage more people to use public transport. The future of transport will look very different and people are continually wanting greater flexibility and mobility to get them where they need to go,” he said.

The ‘demand responsive’ services would be more flexible and could pick up passengers from locations that may not be well serviced on the existing network and would provide users with a faster and more personalised service.

Mr Knoll said, “These trials will look at managing the real time movement of vehicles and passengers, in a similar way to ride-sharing services, effectively like Uber for buses.”

To encourage innovation DPTI will consider contributing funding utilising the South Australian Government’s Future Mobility Lab (FML) Fund.