Liberals promise 50c bus fares from Murray Bridge to Adelaide

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The Liberals will introduce an Adelaide Metro service to Murray Bridge, with tickets costing just 50 cents, if they win the state election next March.

Liberal Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick said the policy would be “ fantastic for regional growth” and long overdue.

“Instead of close to $50 a day to get to Adelaide and back, it will be a $1 a day,” he said.

As with other Adelaide Metro services, seniors’ rides will be free, and all the current exemptions will still apply; however, the 50-cent fare will replace the price for those paying a full fare.

Currently Adelaide Metro does not provide a service to Murray Bridge, and locals have to pay $24.20 for a trip to Adelaide or travel to Mount Barker where the fare is $4.25.

Locals have been calling for improved public transport for years.

“It is time we were well recognised to be part of the metro ticket system,” Mr Pederick said.

There is currently no set timeline for when the policy would be rolled out if the Liberals do win the election, and contracts with current bus charter company Link SA would need to be renegotiated.

Mr Pederick said negotiations would begin immediately after the March 21 election, with the roll-out of the Adelaide Metro service hopefully commencing a few months after that.

Independent candidate criticises Liberal announcement

Independent candidate Airlie Keen said that the Liberals’ promise was not meaningful, as they needed to win the election first.

“Now that they are facing serious challenges from credible community independents, the state Liberals have announced a public transport policy for the regions and by their own admission, it’s the first time in a generation they have done so,” she said.

The Labor government criticised the Liberals’ transportation policy as falling short on costs by $75 million.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Emily Bourke said that the Liberals had not done their research into the costs of enacting the policy.

“Now we’re seeing the same party that privatised our trains and trams failing to do their homework, with zero credibility and a long track record of cuts,” she said.

Transport services will be a key consideration for Murray Bridge at next year’s state election, with Ms Keen and Mr Pederick publicly advocating for improved services.