2026 SA Transport observations

[The Phonj]

A New Year is upon us; Congratulations!! We all made it through the old one

Reviewing 2025.....
The 411 underwent a route change in April, increasing its length and serving a greater catchment area.
The 402 and 450 underwent route extensions in Riverlea Park, the 402 being extended one stop to stop 81 and the 450 three stops to stop 83.
The Gawler train had a timetable revamp, reducing travel time reflecting the increased speeds and improved acceleration of electric trains.
Further Volgren bodied, Scania Hybrid buses entered service throughout the year and a large batch arriving in the few months after the beginning of the financial year in July. Volgren bodied Scania electric buses have been delivered but have not been seen in service yet.
The Glenelg tram line closed for grade separation projects at South Rd, Marion/Cross Rds and Morphett Rd in August. Torrens Transit and Busways are running services collaboratively. A number of buses were bought or leased from Dyson's of Victoria. These buses were driven to Adelaide and a number have entered service on tram substitute services, providing a visual relief from the Adelaide Metro livery. See photo below.
Tram services are expected to resume late January so a limited time remains to get rides photos etc of these buses as some are expected to return to Victoria afterwards.

603857348_1545150850946773_7926437328772799683_n.jpg

With the Metro bus PTV livery and V/Line PTV livery in the background you could be forgiven for thinking that this photo was taken somewhere in Melbourne, but the Stobie Pole, destination 'Glenelg' and big Adelaide Metro sticker on the side of the bus are a bit of a giveaway that it wasn't!
Photo from BCSV Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/buscoachvic/po ... 2UyQa7ZyYl

Please post your South Australian transport observations here that wouldn't seem to warrant their own thread.

I hope that all have a prosperous and happy new year for this 2026!

[Bodø Glimt]

I have actually seen stobie poles in both Victoria and New South Wales.

[wisp]

I have actually seen stobie poles in both Victoria and New South Wales.

What must be the largest number of stobie poles outside South Australia are along the Trans-Australian Railway. This was probaby due to Commonwealth Railways being a largely South Australian-based organisation.

The most westerly stobie pole that I have seen is in the railway yard at Parkeston, WA.

[The Phonj]

In Tasmania there are poles looking similar to a Stobie Pole (but of a slightly different design) that I have seen in Hobart, and possibly other areas. Broken Hill (NSW) does have Stobie Poles but has close historical ties to SA - does it count?

[Route 506]

Happy New Year to all Enthusiasts, Drivers and anyone else I have missed.
I guess one other change we saw in 2025 was the retirement of 16** gas buses, along with the gradual retirement of 17** and 7** gas buses so people wanting to get a ride on the surviving 7** and 17** buses take your chances whilst they are still running folks!
All the best for everyone in 2026

[Bodø Glimt]

In Tasmania there are poles looking similar to a Stobie Pole (but of a slightly different design) that I have seen in Hobart, and possibly other areas. Broken Hill (NSW) does have Stobie Poles but has close historical ties to SA - does it count?

The NSW ones I were referring to were in Burns and Broken Hill. The Victorian ones were in Lindsay Point. The only sealed road in there (at the time of visitations) is from SA but nevertheless all are interstate so I guess they count.

[rtt_rules]

In Tasmania there are poles looking similar to a Stobie Pole (but of a slightly different design) that I have seen in Hobart, and possibly other areas. Broken Hill (NSW) does have Stobie Poles but has close historical ties to SA - does it count?

I've seen them in Tas L'ton when I used to live there (many moons ago).

Randomly looking around Launceston CBD I found this taller one also carrying 6.6 kV.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Launc ... FQAw%3D%3D

[busrider]

1153 ended up off the side of the O-Bahn track at Klemzig this morning. Also some of the new 58xx Volgren Optimus bodied electric Scanias entered service, and they are K230EBs rather than C250EB like the electric Bustech.

[Merc1107]

Buses have "derailed" themselves a couple of times lately - what gives? Are drivers not even pointing the bus at the track?

[booma]

What does it mean to "Enter the O-Bahn at the wrong angle"?

[rtt_rules]

What does it mean to "Enter the O-Bahn at the wrong angle"?

My understanding the driver must enter the O-bahn with a reasonably straight aligntment centred on the track and with a low'ish speed or the self steering system cannot cope with too harsh an angle and/or speed which happened I think last year.

[Eurostar]

Due to road closure on the south end of Murray Street in Gawler
491 and 492 buses are using Reid Street

[softgrow]

Realtime locations for Adelaide Metro not working at the moment, combined with some roadworks leading to unhappy riders who can't tell where the bus is and ring me and complain