A private company operating bus services across metropolitan Adelaide is permitted to use taxis instead of buses under a bizarre arrangement with the State Labor Government. 

Public complaints about buses arriving late and in some instances not arriving at all have been rife since Transfield Services started a $567 million public transport contract in October this year. 

A letter to an Opposition MP concerned about the use of mini buses and street directories by bus drivers from the Minister for Transport Services Chloe Fox states:

“On occasion unforeseen circumstances may require the use of alternative smaller buses, and even taxis to be used on regular bus routes.”

Shadow Minister for Transport Vickie Chapman said taxis were an inappropriate replacement for buses and that the Government should be monitoring private companies operating public transport services more closely.

“A taxi is not an appropriate alternative to a bus and the Government should be keeping a very close eye on whether they are being used,” Ms Chapman said.

“Not only are taxis an inefficient way of transporting people on major public transport routes they are potentially unsafe for children.

“The Liberal Opposition is concerned the Government has entered in to an inadequate contract for the provision of public transport services and that the contract is not being monitored appropriately.”