Commuters slam Adelaide's train substitute buses
Frustrations are boiling over for commuters in Adelaide’s southern suburbs who claim they are being taken for a ride on sub-standard train substitute buses.
Passengers using the Noarlunga line replacement services said the buses are so bad, someone could be seriously hurt.
One commuter has even recorded the moment the doors opened while a bus was in motion.
“The doors don’t shut, they’ll just open,” she said.
“If you got a little kid it’s not very safe… they’ll be out of the door.”
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The substitute buses have been running since January.
Delays with the rail upgrade mean passengers are getting a free ride, but they are calling for a safe journey.
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis labeled the problems as ‘completely unacceptable’ and has promised swift action to fix the problems.
“People in the south have put up with enough without having to put up with doors flying open on buses,” he said.
“I’ll be talking to the contractors today to make sure those buses are taken off and serviced and I apologise to everyone on that bus.”
Commuters say broken seats are also common, while the suspension makes for a bumpy ride.
“It’s shocking, back-breaking, and does your kidneys in,” one commuter told 7News.
Another said she has already seen someone injured on the buses.
“One lady on the bus one week, the driver had to break quite hard and on one of the vinyl seats she just flew down the middle of the bus and hurt her back,” she said.
Diesel trains are expected to be back online next month with electric services due to hit the tracks in the New Year.
