Adelaide tram passengers are enjoying better and more reliable services since the city’s tram network operations were upgraded a year ago, according to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard.
Mr Wingard said the new operator Torrens Connect had exceeded key benchmarks for punctuality, running on time and tram driver and vehicle presentation since commencing light rail operations on 5 July 2020.
He said Torrens Connect had surpassed key performance indicator expectations over the past 12 months.
“The Service Reliability KPI results for Torrens Connect reveal the operator is exceeding its punctuality benchmark,” he said.
“From July 2020 to March 2021, teams were punctual 99.4 per cent of the time, easily surpassing the benchmark of 95 per cent.
“On-time reports were equally impressive averaging 98.9 per cent, well above the 95 per cent benchmark.”
Mr Wingard said the decision to reform tram operations was made to improve user experience, rail journeys and encourage the use of public transport.
“We’re getting on with modernising and improving our public transport system to encourage patronage and customers have reported positive feedback,” he said.
The Minister said an audit of Tram Driver Vehicle Quality and Tram Vehicle Presentation by an independent research company showed Torrens Connect achieved an overall performance rating of 99%, exceeding both the performance benchmark (95 per cent) and the performance target (98 per cent) for the Key Performance Indicator (KPI).
“There has been a 20 per cent reduction in customer complaints compared with the previous year,” he said.
Mr Wingard said the South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) and the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) were also working with Torrens Connect to optimise traffic light sequences along tram routes.
