Adelaide train commuters will soon be enjoying better and more frequent services with the new Flinders Railway Line expected to open to commuters in the first weeks of December.
More than 12,000 additional trips have been added to the new timetable including late night services and, for the first time, weekend services.
The existing Tonsley Railway Line, which currently ends at Clovelly Park Railway Station, will be closed for approximately two weeks from last service Friday, 20 November for essential testing and driver training before reopening as the Flinders Railway Line.
Substitute buses will be in place for commuters during the closure.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said crucial funding from the Morrison Government was helping to roll out major projects in Adelaide and across South Australia.
“This has been an important project that has delivered crucial jobs and money into the SA economy,” Mr Tudge said.
“The Flinders Railway Line will change the way people move across Adelaide.”
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the new railway line will deliver huge benefits to commuters in the southern suburbs, who will have access to late night and weekend services for the first time.
“This extension of the railway line to Flinders health and education precincts will create new connections for not only the residents who live in the area, but all those who work or study at the university and hospitals,” Minister Wingard said.
“Having direct access to this precinct will transform the day-to-day lives of so many people and is another example of the Marshall Liberal Government delivering better services for South Australians.
“The closure is critical to ensure the new track is tested and our train drivers are familiar with the line before it opens.
“Once opened in December, passengers will benefit from around 12,000 additional trips every year including later at night and on weekends.
“The Marshall Government is all about getting people from A to B faster so they can spend more time with their families and doing the things they love.”
Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said this project will greatly increase public transport options for local residents, as well as access to the Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University.
“The extended train line will help local residents get to and from the city, and also help people get to Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University safely and easily without the pressure of finding a car park,” Ms Flint said.
“The Flinders Link rail line will also help the University unlock investment for their $1.5 billion Flinders Village redevelopment, as well as linking their main campus at Bedford Park to the new Tonsley Innovation Precinct.”
Member for Elder Carolyn Power said feedback from local residents has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The commute to work, study, events, medical care and community resources is about to become so much easier,” Ms Power said.
“Ensuring public transport is safe, affordable, reliable and accessible is fundamental to local communities and helps to make suburbs such as Clovelly Park, Tonsley and Mitchell Park an even greater place to live.”
Member for Davenport Steve Murray said the new line and timetable with make a big difference to those in the south.
“This will transform and enhance the Flinders precinct and surrounding communities,” Mr Murray said.
The $141 million Flinders Link Project, which is jointly funded by the Morrison and Marshall Governments, has involved the construction of an elevated single track over Sturt Road, Laffers Triangle and Main South Road, the new Flinders and Tonsley Railway Stations and an integrated shared pedestrian/cycle path adjacent to the rail line.
The new Tonsley Railway Station will also open to commuters from first service in early December, with the Clovelly Park Station to be closed permanently from last service Friday, 20 November.
The first weekend services on the new Flinders Railway Line are expected to commence on the weekend of 26-27 December. This enables minor finishing works on the weekends of 12-13 December and 19-20 December, which cannot be undertaken with trains in operation.
