State Budget cash for 14 new electric trains

Adelaide’s public transport system will get another $84 million over the next four years in Thursday’s State Budget to buy trains and boost security.

Another 14 electric trains will be bought for the Seaford line extension, adding to the existing search for 50 trains to run on Adelaide’s electrified rail network.

The Government last committed to new trains in 1990 when then Transport Minister Frank Blevins announced the purchase of 50 over an eight-year period for $225 million.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon can expect to get his new trains rolling for the 2013 opening of the Noarlunga to Seaford extension.

Another $3.3 million in new funding will beef up security across the Adelaide metro system, with 20 security guards on trains leaving Adelaide station from 6pm. There are now only two guards.

TransAdelaide’s budget for graffiti removal also will be boosted. Maintenance crews remove graffiti from the state’s rail system on a two or three-day cycle.

This will jump to daily checks after a trial on the Gawler line showed a 50 per cent drop with daily removal.

Premier Mike Rann said $1.1 billion would be spent on transport in the next financial year.

“That is almost six times the amount allocated under the last Liberal Government Budget,” he said. “It will continue to expand and accelerate the 10-year revitalisation of the public transport system.”

The cost of purchasing new rail cars and additional operating costs of $23 million will be partly offset by Federal Government grants.

South Australia’s rail upgrade program will cost $1.5 billion over the next four years, helped by $585 million of funding announced in this year’s Federal Budget.

Treasurer Kevin Foley also must find room for existing transport promises in his Budget, including the $42 million cost of providing additional free public transport for seniors, $37 million in train refurbishments and any State contribution to the extension of O-Bahn bus priority.

Mr Rann said the promotion of transport projects underscored the government’s approach to boosting economic activity through infrastructure spending.

“Rather than putting the brakes on, we are supporting and securing jobs through infrastructure projects and building for the future,” he said.

Funding will also be provided for increased track inspections for new rail lines to improve the timeliness of services.

AdelaideNow