The State Government this week announced that Mount Barker and the Barossa will be the first in South Australia to trial an on-demand bus service after awarding a $1.7 million deal to public transport provider Keolis Downer. On behalf of the regions councils, RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island managed a review of public transport in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu earlier this year and one of the key recommendations was to trial on-demand bus services in the region.
RDA is thrilled Mount Barker has been chosen for the first trial and believes it will help shape other public transport improvements recommended by the study.
The Mount Barker trial will run for 6 months starting early next year and will enable customers to book, track and pay for a bus using a phone app similar to ride-sharing services. The convenience of an on-demand service provides additional transport options for residents and visitors to Mount Barker to travel between home, shops, services, parks or the towns Park and Rides where connections to the city are available.
Update – February 2020
The Mount Barker community has embraced the new On-Demand bus service with massive demand for better, more convenient service in the first month of the trial.
In Mount Barker there are now over 1,000 trips per week, which is four times more than the initial target, with passengers rating the service 4.8 out of 5.
The data shows that there is an average wait time of only 10.1 minutes with passengers only having to walk an average of 101 metres to catch the On-Demand bus service.
Mount Barker On-Demand service fast facts:
- Over 3,000 rides within the first four weeks of the trial
- Now over 1000 trips in Mount Barker per week
- 445 active riders
- Average ride rating of 4.8 (out of 5)
April 2020 – Mount Barker Map Extended
To better service the Mount Barker community during the COVID-19 crisis, Keoride have extended their operating hours of the Mount Barker On Demand Public Transport trial for those that are required to make essential travel trips.
Weekdays will now start from 6am instead of 7am.
Keoride will now also service the industrial park and sporting centre in Mount Barker including Bunnings.
