2023 SA Transport observations

Adelaide / South Australia Transport Discussion
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The Phonj
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2023 SA Transport observations

Post by The Phonj »

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

Reviewing 2022.....
Most of the remaining diesel MAN NL202's were retired during the course of the year, a large number finishing up in mid-June. Most are being sold through auction, by Pickles Auctions. Some of those which have been sold have made it into preservation.
Bustech/Scania rigids, both hybrid and pure diesel were delivered through the course of the year. 5025 bus was the last full diesel rigid bus delivered for Adelaide Metro service. Further deliveries are to be hybrid or full electric (or other new fuel technologies). The Bustech/Scania artic that was built in 2021 finally entered service towards the end of 2022, along with another two by the end of 2022.
The ongoing Gawler railway line electrification was finally finished in mid June 2022. The eclectic collection of vehicles operated by Kanga under the guise of "K-Rail" were promptly sold off and many now continue to see service interstate. Kudos to Kanga for bringing in these vehicles, certainly making a refreshing visual and audio change from the usual offering from Adelaide Metro. Works in the vicinity of Ovingham station meant that was not opened immediately, and a shuttle service between Ovingham and Dudley Park was run by Torrens Transit, using a small bus (Toyota Coaster or similar) from Sealink.
In March, a new Labor government was elected, with promises of returning train and tram services back to government operation, and construction of the line to Port Dock. Preliminary works on the extension to Port Dock have commenced and the line is expected to open in 2024.

COVID-19 continued during the year, but the political aim is to live with the disease, much as we live with influenza. Restrictions eased during the year and major events such as the Christmas Pageant, New Years Eve and the Adelaide 500 motor race were held in the same fashion as they were before the pandemic began.

The "Event season" starts up soon, the Tour Down Under later this month; with the Fringe Festival and Festival of Arts among other events slated before the end of March.

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 2023!
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by The Phonj »

Many Torrens transit drivers, who are members of the Transport Workers Union are poised to strike on Monday 9 January 2023.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-04/ ... /101827064
https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/servic ... ial-action
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by The Phonj »

Sighted on Botanic Rd and Anzac Hwy this afternoon were variable message signs advising of bus service impacts on 9 January. Advising people to view adlmetro.com.au (which actually does redirect to adelaidemetro.com.au)
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by BusFan23 »

This might be old news but Busways front destos seem to be in a different style now with uppercase top lines (final destinations) and scrolling bottom lines with additional information (i.e., via, connects)


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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lieselta »

Even the upper line was scrolling when I saw a CB80 doing the 720 a few days ago.

For their work doing M44Cs yesterday they were also just going around with "CITY" as the line number.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by BusFan23 »

Lieselta wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:55 pm For their work doing M44Cs yesterday they were also just going around with "CITY" as the line number.
That's interesting to see Busways operate M44Cs, even if it was due to strike action. Did they operate any other TT services?
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lieselta »

BusFan23 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:55 pm
Lieselta wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:55 pm For their work doing M44Cs yesterday they were also just going around with "CITY" as the line number.
That's interesting to see Busways operate M44Cs, even if it was due to strike action. Did they operate any other TT services?
Not sure but I did see plenty of Busways L94UAs doing not in service moves in the city east end that I don't ever see otherwise.

They had Kanga doing some of the routes with coaches.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Can I ride for free »

Lieselta wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:55 pm
BusFan23 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:55 pm

That's interesting to see Busways operate M44Cs, even if it was due to strike action. Did they operate any other TT services?
Not sure but I did see plenty of Busways L94UAs doing not in service moves in the city east end that I don't ever see otherwise.

They had Kanga doing some of the routes with coaches.
Busways only operated M44C all day Kanga was spotted doing most other runs that needed covered
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Merc1107 »

The efficacy of a strike must be iffy if the competition can be summoned at a moment's notice to fill the gaps.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

Merc1107 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:14 pm The efficacy of a strike must be iffy if the competition can be summoned at a moment's notice to fill the gaps.
Only a few high capacity corridors were covered - with a service every 30min (vs 15min or better during most of the day), so I’d say there were plenty of gaps still. No outer suburban, feeders, or practically anything but the train and the 228 in the whole outer north contract!
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lieselta »

I don't think the efficacy is in question. Busways and Kanga could only provide a very basic service with absolutely no service promises. Handing more routes to the other operators isn't a solution either as industrial issues can present themselves in any company.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Crispy! »

BusFan23 wrote: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:07 pm This might be old news but Busways front destos seem to be in a different style now with uppercase top lines (final destinations) and scrolling bottom lines with additional information (i.e., via, connects)


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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by bigrobbo »

It was good to see Customer Service Officers from both Busways and Torrens Transit at Marion on Monday. From the small sample I saw, nobody was really upset, and the Officers were proactive, checking with passengers as to what bus they were looking to catch. And, it was very odd seeing Busway buses operating M44C's to and from Marion.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lieselta »

According to the TDU bus detours info for Sunday, 864 services will skip Stirling Aldgate and Bridgewater and go directly to Hahndorf. The page just says the Crafers on/off ramp will be closed. Would anyone know why buses can't service Stirling et al via the Stirling on/off ramp and simply skip Crafers?
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Columbo »

I usually catch the bus up to Stirling for the TDU and it has usually stopped near the round-about then turned left onto Pomona Road and detoured around Stirling because the bikes went along Avenue Rd.
This year the bikes will be using Pomona Rd so i'm guessing the whole round-about will be closed so nowhere for the bus to turn around and get back onto the Freeway.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

The Crafers, Stirling, and Bridgewater freeway interchanges are all closed for most of the day this year (as per signs on the freeway). Rolling closures of the road, and the many laps the race will be taking mean that Mt Barker Road will likely be closed mote than its open.

Aldgate depot will also be closed, with all buses working out of Mt Barker depot.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Can I ride for free »

Busways 2601 back in service this afternoon after running into the back of a truck sometime last year
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by The Phonj »

Preserved Volvo B59 bus 1001 has been parked in Fringe venue "Gluttony" as the major prop of Fringe play "Speed: The Movie, The Play".

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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by ADLBR »

NL202 #267 was out today on some eastern routes.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Darwin bus lover »

4029 is at Dry Creek Depot today.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Darwin bus lover »

1190 which I haven’t seen out in ages was parked at G3 Grenfell yesterday with wires/cables attached to the outside not sure what that’s for. Additionally 3380 is now operating for Southlink. I believe their first artic VST.
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

Darwin bus lover wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2023 12:56 pm 1190 which I haven’t seen out in ages was parked at G3 Grenfell yesterday with wires/cables attached to the outside not sure what that’s for. Additionally 3380 is now operating for Southlink. I believe their first artic VST.
Yes, 3380’s first service was the 7:47am 865 yesterday and is the first new artic delivered to Aldgate since 3374 (not counting the ex-Lonsdale/Elizabeth sloppy seconds).
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Eurostar »

Torrens Transit Scania K230UB 1450 was involved in a MVA this morning, it mounted the kerb and crashed into a fence in Glenelg South
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by loungeman76 »

Mentioning damaged buses, has anyone heard anything about what’s happening with SouthLink’s Scania bus No. 3233?
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Re: [Jan-Mar 2023] SA Transport observations

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

loungeman76 wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 6:40 am Mentioning damaged buses, has anyone heard anything about what’s happening with SouthLink’s Scania bus No. 3233?
Re entered service in December 2022
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