Adelaide Metro

The Adelaide Metro is a brand introduced in April 2000, following the second round of tenders privatisation of formerly government-operated bus services.{{Cite news|first=Peter|last=Morgan|title=A new deal on the buses|publisher=The Advertiser |date=21 April 2000}}"Adelaide Metro Introduced" Australian Bus Panorama issue 16/1 August 2000 page 12

The public transport system in Adelaide has previously been known under several names. The State Transport Authority was formed in 1974, combining the metropolitan rail operations of the former South Australian Railways Commission, and the bus and tram operations of the former Municipal Tramways Trust. Adelaide removed almost all tramlines from the 1930s to 1958 leaving only the Glenelg line. This tramline was extended in 2007 by the Department of Transport, Energy & Infrastructure (DTEI), and again to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in 2010. In July 1994, the STA was abolished and government public transport services were transferred to TransAdelaide, a publicly owned corporation.

In 1995–96, there was a partial tendering of the bus services. TransAdelaide retained three contract regions, Serco won two contract regions, and Hills Transit a joint venture between Australian Transit Enterprises and TransAdelaide, one."Hills Transit" Australian Bus Panorama issue 11/3 October 1995 page 33{{cite journal|last=Wallis|first=Ian|author2=Bray, David|title=Competitive Tendering for Bus Services: The Improved Adelaide Model|journal=Thredbo Series|date=June 2001|url=http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/6309/1/thredbo7-workshopA-Wallis-Bray.pdf|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213234707/http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/6309/1/thredbo7-workshopA-Wallis-Bray.pdf|url-status=live}} Services were run and marketed under each operator's name, presenting a disjointed network to the public.

The 2000 round of tenders ended TransAdelaide's direct operation of bus services, while retaining the train and tram services. Serco won the North-South, Outer North, and Outer North-East contract areas. SouthLink won the Outer South contract area. Torrens Transit won the East-West contract area. City Free services and Transitplus, a joint venture between Australian Transit Enterprises and TransAdelaide, won the Hills contract area. The Adelaide Metro brand was applied across all transport operators, appearing to the public as a unified network, with common livery, timetable designs and a city Information Centre.

The State Government has pledged that the Adelaide Metro would use cleaner fuels like biodiesel and natural gas in an effort to make Adelaide a carbon neutral city. In 2016, nearly 80 percent of the Adelaide Metro buses ran on diesel, which is harmful for the environment due to the presence of sulfur. In 2023, the state government announced that a feasibility study was underway to replace Adelaide Metro's ageing diesel train fleet with zero-emission technology.{{Cite web |last=Kelsall |first=Thomas |date=2023-06-02 |title=Journey to Adelaide zero-emission trains leaves station |url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2023/06/02/journey-to-adelaide-zero-emission-trains-leaves-station/ |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=InDaily |language=en}}

{{main|Buses in Adelaide}}

File:Light-City Buses Scania K280UB (BUS 1568).jpg

The largest element of Adelaide's public transport system is a fleet of diesel and natural gas powered buses. The majority of services terminate in the Adelaide city centre, suburban railway stations or shopping centre interchanges. As contracts are revised for privatised bus operations, more cross suburban routes are added to the network. In the past, bus routes were largely focused on moving passengers from the suburbs to the CBD.

A major component of the Adelaide Metro bus service is the O-Bahn guided busway to Modbury, carrying around 9 million passengers a year. From its opening in 1986 until August 2011 it was the world's longest busway, with a length of {{Convert|12|km}}. It remains the world's fastest busway with a maximum permitted speed of {{Cvt|100|km/h}}. Away from the O-Bahn, whilst there have been dedicated bus lanes and bus-only signal phases at some traffic lights provided for a number of years, a major improvement to bus priority and reliability arrived with the delivery in July 2012 of the CBD Bus Lane project.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120810032418/http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/better/bus-priority-lane-project-in-the-city-june-2012 Bus priority lane project] Adelaide Metro July 2012

Adelaide Metro buses are split up geographically into six contract regions, with services operated by Torrens Connect, Torrens Transit, SouthLink and Busways. The current contracts began in July 2020 for a period of eight years, with an option to extend for two years.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200310115418/https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2003/adelaide-bus-and-public-transport-contracts-announced Adelaide Bus and Public Transport Contracts Announced] Australasian Bus & Coach 10 March 2020

{{Main|Railways in Adelaide}}

The Adelaide suburban railway network consists of seven lines. On 31 January 2021, operations were contracted to Keolis Downer.{{Cite web |date=4 February 2021 |title=Keolis begins operations and maintenance of Adelaide commuter rail in South Australia |url=https://cms.uitp.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Keolis-PR_New-rail-contract-in-Adelaide_31-Jan-2021.pdf |access-date=26 March 2025}} In 2023, the state government announced that rail services would return to government operation in January 2025, fulfilling an election commitment by the South Australian Labor Party.{{Cite web |date=2 April 2023 |title=Trains and trams to return to public hands |url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2023/trains-and-trams-return-to-public-hands |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=Adelaide Metro}} Keolis Downer would then continue to provide maintenance, customer and security services until 2027. The handover of operations back to state government was completed on 2 February 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2025/trains-are-coming-home|title=

Trains are coming home|publisher=Adelaide Metro|date=2 February 2025|access-date=2 February 2025}}

Until 2014, the suburban network was the only one in Australia to operate solely with diesel railcars. Between 2013–2014, the full lengths of the Seaford and Tonsley lines were electrified, as well as the adjacent segment of the Belair line from Goodwood to its terminus at Adelaide.{{Cite web |url=http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/electrification/electrification |title=Rail Network Electrification |access-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220030043/http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/electrification/electrification |archive-date=20 December 2013 |url-status=dead}} Government of South Australia Electric trains have run on the Seaford and Tonsley lines since 2014. Although the original plans were to electrify the remaining three lines, they were abandoned in 2012.{{Cite web |url=https://www.railjournal.com/regions/australia-nz/south-australia-cuts-back-adelaide-electrification/ |title=South Australia cuts back Adelaide electrification |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220010128/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/australia-nz/south-australia-cuts-back-adelaide-electrification.html |archive-date=20 December 2013 |url-status=live}} The Gawler line was electrified in 2022.

As at March 2025, the fleet consists of 50 3000/3100 class diesel railcars and 34 three-carriage 4000 class electric multiple units.[http://cn.bombardier.com/press_release_03312011.htm Bombardier Wins Contract to Supply 25 kV Railcars for Adelaide, Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004083310/http://cn.bombardier.com/press_release_03312011.htm |date=4 October 2011 }} Bombardier 31 March 2011 All the remaining 2000/2100 class train cars were retired from service in August 2015.

Adelaide's rail lines all run into Adelaide railway station in the CBD. They are:

{{main|Trams in Adelaide|Glenelg tram line|Tram types in Adelaide}}

File:AECExtensionCitadisFlexity.jpg and Flexity Classic trams]]

Adelaide's once extensive tram network was dismantled in the middle of the 20th century, leaving only the Glenelg tram running {{Convert|12|km}} between Victoria Square in the city-centre and Moseley Square on the beachfront at Glenelg. The majority of the line is on a dedicated corridor though the western suburbs, and travels on roadway in the city from the terminus to South Terrace and along Jetty Road in Glenelg.

An extension of the line from Victoria Square down King William Street then along North Terrace opened in October 2007.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-10-14/official-opening-for-tram-extension/697752 Official opening for tram extension] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228125320/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-10-14/official-opening-for-tram-extension/697752 |date=28 December 2013 }} ABC News 14 October 2007 A further extension along Port Road to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre opened in December 2009. The line has stops adjacent to key city points, including Rundle Mall, the Adelaide Railway Station and the City West campus of the University of South Australia.[http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/14855/project_overview_flyer.pdf Adelaide Tramline Extension Project 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501203109/http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/14855/project_overview_flyer.pdf |date=1 May 2013 }} Department for Transport, Energy & Infrastructure[http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/completed_projects/content Tramline Extension Project – Victoria Square to City West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220135210/http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/completed_projects/content |date=20 December 2013 }} Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure

A 2018 extension added stops adjacent to more key locations including the Festival Theatre, the Art Gallery, the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Botanic Garden.{{Cite web|title=City Tram Extension|url=https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/public_transport_projects/city_tram_extension|access-date=21 November 2020|website=Department for Infrastructure and Transport|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106063842/https://dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/public_transport_projects/city_tram_extension|url-status=dead}} Construction this new junction, branch lines along the eastern end of North Terrace and King William Road and four new stops began in July/August 2017 and opened in October 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-13/north-terrace-tram-extension-finally-opens-to-passengers/10371858 |title=Trams start running on Adelaide's North Terrace extension seven months late |last=Boisvert |first=Eugene |date=13 October 2018 |publisher=ABC News|location=Australia |access-date=14 October 2018 |archive-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013135552/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-13/north-terrace-tram-extension-finally-opens-to-passengers/10371858 |url-status=live }} There is no fare charged on certain sections of the line.

The line is operated from Glengowrie depot, with 15 Bombardier Flexity Classic trams built between 2005 and 2010[http://www.vicsig.net/trams/class/Flexity/1 Flexity Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829052336/http://vicsig.net/trams/class/Flexity/1 |date=29 August 2016 }} Vicsig and nine Alstom Citadis trams that were built for, but were surplus to their needs of Metro Ligero, Madrid in 2009.[http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2009/june-24-09/other-top-stories/new-european-trams-a-massive-boost-to-adelaide-network New European trams a massive boost to Adelaide network] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221063227/http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2009/june-24-09/other-top-stories/new-european-trams-a-massive-boost-to-adelaide-network |date=21 December 2013 }} Rail Express 22 June 2009[http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/new_connections/?a=41169 Spanish discovery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213172922/http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/new_connections/?a=41169 |date=13 February 2014 }} New Connections (Infrastructure SA) issue 4 2009[http://www.vicsig.net/trams/class/Citadis Citadis Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829052314/http://vicsig.net/trams/class/Citadis |date=29 August 2016 }} Vicsig The latter were modified by Yarra Trams' Preston Workshops before entering service. A further three unused former Madrid Citadis trams entered service in 2018.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-15/more-adelaide-trams-and-a-new-tramline/8122714 SA mid-year budget review: $20 million for more Adelaide trams and a new spur line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102002215/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-15/more-adelaide-trams-and-a-new-tramline/8122714 |date=2 January 2018 }} ABC News 15 December 2016"Here & There" Trolley Wire issue 352 February 2018 page 19

In July 2019, the government announced the provision of tram services would be contracted out.{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-01/adelaide-trains-and-trams-to-be-privatised/11267236 |title=SA government to privatise operation of Adelaide Metro trains and trams |newspaper=ABC News|date=July 2019 |location=Australia |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703123846/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-01/adelaide-trains-and-trams-to-be-privatised/11267236 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |url-status=live}} Torrens Connect began operating the trams in July 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://dpti.sa.gov.au/news?a=646421 |title=Welcome to a new era in public transport for South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport – South Australia |website=dpti.sa.gov.au |access-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310120227/https://dpti.sa.gov.au/news?a=646421 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |url-status=live}} As part of an election commitment, the government announced in 2023 that tram services would return to public ownership by July 2025.

According to Adelaide Metro, interchanges "provide convenient connections between buses and trains. Many also feature Park 'n' Ride services and bike storage."{{Cite web|url=https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Maps2/Interchanges |title=Adelaide Metro – Interchanges |last=SA |first=Service |website=adelaidemetro.com.au |access-date=2018-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313055230/https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Timetables-Maps/Interchanges |archive-date=13 March 2018 |url-status=live}}File:Adelaide O-Bahn, Modbury Interchange (overpass-northeast).jpg]]

• Aberfoyle Interchange – Located in the southern suburbs at the Aberfoyle Hub Shopping Centre with connections to Chandlers Hill, the City and Old Reynella
• Arndale Interchange – Located in the north western suburbs at the Arndale Central Shopping Centre
• Blackwood Interchange – Located in the south eastern suburbs in the Adelaide Hills and provides train transfers from the Belair line with bus connections to Upper Sturt, Stirling, Crafers and Aldgate
• Crafers Park 'n' Ride Interchange – Located in the Adelaide Hills, connections available to Piccadilly, Stirling, Mount Barker and Blackwood
• Elizabeth Interchange – Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs and interconnects train services on the Gawler line with bus services to areas around metropolitan Adelaide including Salisbury North, Salisbury, Munno Para, and Smithfield
• Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre – Located in the mid-southern suburbs, these two interchanges (located close together) connect to Marion Interchange, City, Glenelg and the Outer-South.
• Glanville Interchange – Located at the bottom of Semaphore Road and provides bus and train transfers from the Outer Harbor line to Port Adelaide, and Osborne
• Golden Grove Village – Located in the Outer North-East, may services from the O-Bahn continue to here and connect to Salisbury, Greenwith and Fairview Park
• Klemzig Interchange – Located in the inner north-eastern suburbs with bus connections to Oakden and the Circle Line. Intermediate station on the O-Bahn Busway
• Marion Interchange – Located in the Mid-South, one of Adelaide's biggest interchanges, connections to City, Glenelg, the Outer-South and Blackwood station
• Mawson Interchange – Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs and interconnects train services on the Gawler line and bus services to areas around metropolitan Adelaide including Adelaide, Mawson Lakes and Salisbury
• Mount Barker Dumas Street Park 'n' Ride – Located in the Adelaide Hills, connections are available to Strathalbyn (operated by non-metroticket service), Nairne, Murray Bridge (via non-metroticket service operated by LinkSA) and Lobethal via Hahndorf
• Noarlunga Centre Interchange
• Old Reynella Bus Interchange and Colonnades Shopping Centre – Located in Adelaide's southern suburbs and interconnects trains services on the Seaford line with bus services to the outer southern suburbs including Aldinga, Seaford and Moana
• Paradise Interchange – Located in the north-eastern suburbs with bus connections to Para Hills, Athelstone, Newton and Campbelltown, intermediate station on the O-Bahn Busway
• Salisbury Interchange – Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs and interconnects train services on the Gawler line with bus services to areas around metropolitan Adelaide including Salisbury North, Paralowie, Burton, Virginia, Greenwith, Elizabeth, Hillbank, Greenfields, Mawson Lakes and Parafield Gardens
• Smithfield Interchange – Located in Adelaide's northern suburbs and interconnects train services on the Gawler line with bus services to areas around metropolitan Adelaide including Munno Para, Craigmore and Andrews Farm
• Tea Tree Plaza Interchange – Located in the north-eastern suburbs at the Westfield Tea Tree Plaza and the Tea Tree Plus Shopping Centres, terminus of the O-Bahn Busway

{{Main|metroCARD}}

The Adelaide Metro ticketing system is multi-modal, meaning that one ticket can be used to transfer between trains, trams and buses, regardless of the service provider. In September 1987, the Metroticket system developed by Crouzet was introduced.Tickets please The Recorder November 1987 page 22Ticket Machines Fleetline issue 151 February 1988 page 45 This used magnetic strip technology. In 2010, a contract to introduce the metroCARD smartcard ticketing system was awarded to Affiliated Computer Services.[http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/new_connections/?a=47701 Smarter ticketing on the way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213172904/http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/new_connections/?a=47701 |date=13 February 2014 }} New Connections Infrastructure SA issue 6 2010 It was rolled out in November 2012.[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/public-transport-metrocard-ticketing-up-and-running-on-sa-buses-trams-and-trains-by-november/story-e6frea6u-1226477226639 Public transport Metrocard ticketing up and running on SA buses, trams and trains by November] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616024851/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/public-transport-metrocard-ticketing-up-and-running-on-sa-buses-trams-and-trains-by-november/story-e6frea6u-1226477226639 |date=16 June 2014 }} Adelaide Advertiser 19 September 2012 The older system was phased out in 2015.

In 2021, as part of a staged upgrade to Adelaide Metro's ticketing system, contactless payments have been rolled out on all trams, allowing passengers to use debit and credit cards to pay for fares.{{Cite web |url=https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Tickets-Fares/Tap-and-pay-on-trams |title=Tap and Pay on Trams |website=Adelaide Metro |access-date=17 March 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302161457/https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Tickets-Fares/Tap-and-pay-on-trams |url-status=live }} In 2022, this roll-out continued on O-Bahn bus services, and as of 2023, is now rolling out network-wide, including all remaining buses, and trains.{{Cite web |last=Metro |first=Adelaide |date=2023-04-26 |title=Easy ways to pay on buses |url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news/news-items/2023/easy-ways-to-pay-on-buses |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=Adelaide Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Tap and pay validators to roll out across Adelaide train network |url=https://dit.sa.gov.au/news?a=1230975 |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=dit.sa.gov.au |language=en}}

In 2024, Adelaide Metro released the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go App, this app allows passengers to buy tickets to be used on Buses, Tram and train leaving the Adelaide Railway Station. The app will be rolled out to all train users by late 2025.

• Buses in Adelaide
• Commuter rail in Australia
• metroCARD
• O-Bahn Busway
• Railways in Adelaide
• Rail transport in South Australia
• State Transport Authority, South Australia
• Trams in Adelaide
• Transport in Adelaide
• Transport in South Australia
• TransAdelaide
• List of public transport routes in Adelaide

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{{Reflist}}

• [https://adelaidemetro.com.au/ Adelaide Metro]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20040208151842/http://www.opt.dtup.sa.gov.au/ Office of Public Transport]

{{Adelaide public transport}}

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Category:Intermodal transport authorities in Australia

Category:Passenger rail transport in Australia

Category:Passenger railway companies of Australia

Category:Public transport in South Australia

Category:600 V DC railway electrification

Category:Government-owned companies of South Australia

Category:Railway companies established in 2000

Category:Australian companies established in 2000