7 February 2023
The multi-party Parliamentary Committee inquiring into Public and Active Transport has called on the State Government to back regional rail, legalisation of privately owned e-scooters on public spaces and a range of measures to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, in its report tabled in State Parliament today.
The Committee initiated and Chaired by Greens MLC Robert Simms was established in June last year. Some of the key recommendations include:
- Increasing the frequency of bus services, simplifying concessions and improving connectivity
- Trialling of passenger rail services from Mount Barker to Adelaide and incentivising passenger rail between Adelaide and Melbourne (while servicing regional stops)
- Trialling separated bike infrastructure and traffic calming measures, including speed limit reductions
- Commencing planning for a state-wide, integrated separated cycling network
- Legislating to enable the use of privately owned e-scooters and other e-personal mobility devices in public spaces (with a recommendation for further work to be undertaken by Government with respect to insurance concerns)
- Consideration of e-scooters on bike lanes or roads (without compromising safety of cyclists or other users)
- Development of a state-wide strategic transport network plan
- Promotion of alternatives to car travel to reduce carbon emissions (with removal of Government messaging that prioritises cars).
The full report of Committee can be accessed at the link: https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/Committees/Committees-Detail
“The Committee heard overwhelming evidence that public and active transport infrastructure has been neglected, particularly in the regions. The Committee has made a raft of recommendations that would make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, ensure that all South Australians are better serviced by public transport and better promote community health and wellbeing. Given the rising cost of living and ongoing climate crisis, it is vital that we get transport policy in our state on the right track. I look forward to the Government’s response to the inquiry and hope that these recommendations are actioned,” said Robert Simms MLC.
The Committee included representatives from Labor, the Liberals, SA Best and Greens. The committee received more than 100 submissions and heard evidence from 50 witnesses.