The outsourcing of the provision of public transport services is a tried and proven model that delivers better services and drives patronage growth.
Public transport patronage growth has occurred across many jurisdictions following the outsourcing of services.
This includes Adelaide’s own Adelaide Metro bus network after services were outsourced around 20 years ago.
In the past 20 years many European cities have transitioned to outsourced operations, as well as Auckland and Melbourne.
If we are going to provide better and more customer focussed public transport services, we need to keep pace with other jurisdictions and benefit from their learnings.
Location Patronage Growth Patronage Growth Time Period
(number of trips) (percentage)
Adelaide (bus) 7.2 million 15% 9 years (from 2001/02)
Melbourne (rail) 110 million 85% 15 year (from 1999)
Perth (bus) 37 millon 79% 15 years (from late 1990s)
Auckland (rail) 18.2 million 562% 15 years (from 2004)
“The outsourcing of public transport services is a tried and proven model that leads to better services and increased patronage,” said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.
“We know that outsourcing of operations is increasingly a preferred business model for delivery of public transport services around the world.
“The outsourcing of services has led to better services and more people choosing to use public transport in various jurisdictions across the country and around the world.
“If we are going to provide better and more customer focussed public transport services, we need to keep pace with other jurisdictions and benefit from their learnings.
“In Adelaide we saw strong patronage growth on our bus network for almost a decade after services were outsourced.
“We expect similar results for our train and tram network under the new model – a better service that encourages more people to hop on a train or tram.
“We are seeking to capitalise on the expertise, innovation and resources that global experts will bring to the table to provide better services for public transport users.
“This will also enable us to deliver more efficient services, so we can reinvest back into the network to provide better services.
“The State Government can also guarantee maintaining the same service frequency levels and standards and strongly expects an increase in service levels once this model is fully implemented.
“We will still own and control the assets, control fare prices and set service level requirements – in the same way we do for Adelaide Metro buses.”
