Campaign for improved services ramps up

THE City of Mount Gambier will lodge a submission to the South Australian Government’s Regional Public Transport Review, continuing the push for urgent and long overdue reform to the city’s outdated and inadequate public transport system.

Public transport in Mount Gambier and throughout South Australia, is the responsibility of the Government of South Australia, via the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

Despite being South Australia’s regional capital and servicing a cross-border population of more than 130,000 people, Mount Gambier’s public transport model has not changed in more than 35 years.

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said improving public transport was one of council’s top advocacy priorities.

“We have been lobbying for change for more than five years and we have heard community concerns loud and clear that our current system simply doesn’t meet the needs of our growing and changing community,” Mayor Martin said. “It is outdated, limited, and doesn’t provide an adequate service for our people,”.

As part of the Regional Public Transport Review led by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), council will make a submission informed by community feedback and expert analysis. It outlines the scale of the problem and recommends practical solutions for meaningful, evidence based reform.

“This is a key opportunity for us to make our case,” she said. “We are seeking immediate service improvements, including expanded coverage, higher frequency of service and weekend operations.

“We need a fit-for-purpose model in partnership with the community and would like to be considered for a regional trial for innovative transport solutions such as an ‘on-demand’ transport model similar to the Keoride system in Mount Barker.

“We also seek equity in funding and standards, to establish transparent, population based benchmarks for public transport that bring Mount Gambier in line with other Australian regional cities.”

“We are not asking for more than what other areas already have. We are asking for fair, modern and accessible public transport so our residents can live, work, learn and participate in their daily lives with dignity.”

Council unanimously endorsed the submission at the June council meeting, with a strong united voice in support of a system that reflects Mount Gambier’s needs, not just now, but into the future.

Cr Josh Lynagh said the city bus service does not service areas like Conroe Heights, Hallmont Estate and Woodlands Grove, meaning some people in our community can’t access the service as they should.

“The service does not operate during the evenings, weekends, or public holidays, and it does not service places like the airport, cemetery, or tourist destinations,” Cr Lynagh said. “We have just one infrequent loop servicing the hospital and TAFE and UniSA precinct.

“Residents in Mount Gambier have been stuck with an inadequate service for far too long and more needs to be done to make the service meet the needs and expectations for our community.”.

Cr Frank Morello echoed the sentiment, describing the State’s treatment of Mount Gambier’s transport needs as ‘tiresome and insulting’.

“The government has been dragging its heels on this issue for such a long time,” Cr Morello said. “It’s tiresome being treated as a poor country cousin having to beg for what would be considered to be unacceptable anywhere else.

“There is an eye watering disparity between bus funding for metropolitan and regional South Australia.

“It is $273 per person in metropolitan areas and a meagre $40 per person in regional South Australia.

“You’d think that inequity would be clear to see for everybody, and yet, here we are five years later and we’re still advocating. It seems the wheels on the bus are moving ever so slowly in Mount Gambier.”

Mayor Martin recently raised the issue with Premier Peter Malinauskas following the State’s announcement of a $20.7million cost of living transport package, which cut the price of student fares on the Adelaide metroCARD which is only available to metropolitan students.

“From 1 July, Adelaide students will pay just 25 cents per trip. But students in Mount Gambier are completely left out. How is that fair?” she said.

Councillor Max Bruins challenged State Government staff to experience the local bus system themselves.

“Nothing’s changing and DIT have got all the information in front of them,” Cr Bruins said. “They’re wasting their own resources. They’re wasting our resources to basically have the same information that has been served up, time and time again. I challenge DIT staff the next time they visit to get from the airport to here on public transport.”

Councillor Sonya Mezinec highlighted the practical impact of the current service on the most vulnerable members of the community.

“During a public consultation a few years ago we received a lot of feedback from our community and many stories about the difficulty for people particularly with special needs and disabilities, who, to get to and from medical appointments at the hospital by bus took them all day,” Cr Mezinec said.

Councillor Jason Virgo also called out the flawed logic behind the State Government’s inaction.

“It’s the chicken and egg argument, we keep being told there is not enough demand, but there’s not enough demand because it takes too long to get anywhere,” he said. “I would happily take public transport, but I know I can’t without wasting hours, so we really need to get the on demand service. Are the children of Mount Gambier worth less than the children of Adelaide? – They’re not, we know that.”

Council is urging the State Government to act on the concerns raised, not just listen.

“This is about fairness, access and making sure our city has the services it needs to thrive now and into the future. We are pushing for the public transport system Mount Gambier deserves,” Mayor Martin said.

“We call on the South Australian Government to work in collaboration with us to deliver a sustainable, inclusive and modern public transport system that supports liveability, social equity, and opportunities for all in our community.”

The current Mount Gambier City Bus model is not a reflection of bus service operators LinkSA, which is working within the constraints of a contract and funding agreement.

Residents can have their say on the future of public transport by Friday, June 27, at https://engage.dit.sa.gov.au/public-transport-strategy

Further information about the City of Mount Gambier’s ongoing advocacy for public transport improvements, including background research, fact sheets an our call to action to the State Government can be found at: http://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/services/community/public-transport-advocacy