By Lauren Reid
Published: Friday, February 16, 2018
The state government has today announced an overhaul of Adelaide Metro fares, with savings due to come into effect on 3 April.
The changes include:
- Reducing the cost of 28-day unlimited travel passes for adults, concession card holders and students
- Scrapping the purchase fee for MetroCards (previously $5, or a concession rate of $3.50)
- Introducing a 14-day unlimited travel pass as a shorter term option
- Free off-peak travel for primary school groups (including up to four accompanying adults) to encourage schools to use public transport for excursions
Commuters holding a regular 28-day travel pass will be the biggest savers. Their passes will now be $99, down from $124.50 (a saving of 91c a day).
Concession card holders will be paying $49, instead of the previous rate of $62.20 (a saving of 47c a day). Meanwhile, 28-day passes for students (primary and secondary) will cost $25, down from $41.50.
RAA’s senior manager of mobility and road safety, Charles Mountain, welcomes these cost reductions.
“The AAA Transport Affordability Index highlights that Adelaide’s cost of public transport is currently the 5th highest in the nation, so this change will certainly impact on cost of living for many,” says Mr Mountain.
The state government estimates the overhaul could save regular public transport users up to $306 per year, meaning our fares will soon be among the lowest in the country.
Mr Mountain notes, “Growth in public transport use has been slow in Adelaide, so this initiative should encourage more to make the switch – especially when weighed against the cost of all-day parking at some locations.”