TransAdelaide

{{Short description|Former South Australian Government transport agency}}

{{Infobox government agency

|agency_name = TransAdelaide

|type = Government owned corporation

|nativename =

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|logo = transadelaidelogo.png

|logo_width = 250px

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|picture = Man_adelaide_sst.jpg

|picture_width =

|picture_caption = A Pressed Metal Corporation South Australia bodied MAN SL200 ca. 1997

|formed = 4 July 1994

|dissolved = 31 August 2010

|preceding1 = State Transport Authority

|superseding = Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure, branded as Adelaide Metro

|jurisdiction = Adelaide

|headquarters = Adelaide

|region_code =

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|employees = 729 (June 2010)

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|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20090201005855/http://transadelaide.com.au/ www.transadelaide.com.au]}}

TransAdelaide was a publicly owned cooperation in Adelaide, South Australia, and operated the city's suburban rail, tram and bus services. It took responsibilities from the State Transport Authority in July 1994.

History

File:TransAdelaide 3000 class railcar at Adelaide station.jpg at Adelaide|left]]

In June 1994, the government-owned agency State Transport Authority was dissolved (and the 1974 Act repealed) as a consequence of the [http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Catalog/legislation/Acts/p/1994.30.un.htm Passenger Transport Act 1994.] These reforms split the STA into the Passenger Transport Board, which coordinated and funded the public transport system, and TransAdelaide, which actually operated metropolitan buses, trains and trams. The formation of TransAdelaide was a prelude to competitive tendering and the introduction of private operators into the Adelaide public transport network.

In April 2000, all metropolitan bus routes were transferred from TransAdelaide to private companies Serco, SouthLink and Torrens Transit and a joint venture of TransAdelaide (with Southlink) known as Transitplus. It continued to operate rail services under the Adelaide Metro brand. It was abolished in August 2010, with its staff and functions transferred to the newly created Office of the Rail Commissioner.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/06/3003949.htm?site=news End of the line for TransAdelaide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023104945/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/06/3003949.htm?site=news |date=23 October 2010 }} ABC News 6 September 2010[http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/127007/Rail_Commissioner_Annual_Report_2010-11.PDF Annual Report year ended 30 June 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328035440/http://dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/

Operations

TransAdelaide operated the suburban rail services on the Noarlunga, Gawler, Outer Harbor, Belair, Tonsley and Grange lines, in addition to maintaining the stations along the lines. The rail services were provided by a fleet of 70 3000 class diesel railcars and 30 2000 class railcars. TransAdelaide inherited some Redhen railcars from the State Transport Authority. The final units were retired in October 1996. It also operated Adelaide's last remaining tram service, the Glenelg Light Rail tram line from Victoria Square to the seaside suburb of Glenelg.

File:2000 class 4car gawler.jpg at Gawler|left]]

=Tram revival=

File:H types 358 and 357 at Brighton Road, June 2006.JPG at Brighton Road tram stop on a city-bound service, 2 months before withdrawal from service in August 2006. Together with no. 364, these two were the last unrefurbished cars to be withdrawn from service. They were subsequently acquired by the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus, New South Wales.]] File:Citadis and Flexity trams cross on North Terrace, Adelaide, 14 Oct 2018 (Henk Graalman).jpg and Alstom Citadis trams on the North Terrace route to the Botanic Garden, near the intersection with Pulteney Street]]

For 77 years, Type H trams were the mainstay of the Glenelg tram line. They operated after the line was converted from a steam railway to an electrified tramway in 1929. In the 21st century, a series of investments were made to improve and extend the line, beginning in May 2003 when the South Australian Government announced an upgrade of the Glenelg line infrastructure and the introduction of new trams.New trams for Adelaide Trolley Wire issue 294 August 2003 page 19

Major work to upgrade the line took place between 5 June and 7 August 2005. Concrete sleepers were installed and much of the track renewed in an intensive nine-week project. Most of the 21 tram stops were reconstructed with higher platforms to allow level access to the new low-floor trams. The overhead electrical supply was upgraded, and some minor modifications were made to the Type H trams and Glengowrie depot. Tram services were replaced with substitute bus services during this period. The terminus at Moseley Square was reconfigured in September 2005 as part of a general redevelopment of the square.[https://web.archive.org/web/20050615100433/http://adelaidemetro.com.au/guides/new_tram.html Temporary Tram Closure] Adelaide Metro An extension opened to the new City West terminus on 14 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 An overpass crossing South Road was announced in the 2007 South Australian Budget. The project was built in conjunction with the Anzac Highway Underpass.{{cite web |url=http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/south_road_upgrade/content/glenelg_tram_overpass |publisher=Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure |access-date=2009-10-14 |title=Glenelg Tram Overpass |archive-date=20 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720223021/http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/south_road_upgrade/content/glenelg_tram_overpass |url-status=live }} Construction by McConnell Dowell commenced in July 2009.Adelaide - South Road overpass Trolley Wire issue 319 November 2009 page 12 On 8 December 2009, the overpass opened to allow trams to pass over it, however the South Road tram stop was not operational until 15 March 2010.[https://www.mcconnelldowell.com/news/1301-glenelg-tram-overpass-wins-industry-award GTO Wins Industry Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120536/https://www.mcconnelldowell.com/news/1301-glenelg-tram-overpass-wins-industry-award |date=13 October 2017 }} McConnell Dowell 19 May 2010 Another new extension was opened to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on 11 May 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25448254-2682,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904031258/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25448254-2682,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=Tram extension works start |access-date=2009-05-12 |date=8 May 2009 |publisher=The Advertiser/AdelaideNow}}

Testing began in February 2010 and the extension opened on 22 March 2010.Adelaide Entertainment Centre Tram Line Opens Trolley Wire issue 321 May 2010 pages 21-23