Train line delays cause Adelaide gridlock concerns

Adelaide drivers are being warned to expect more city gridlock traffic because of delays on the Noarlunga train line.

Noarlunga line services were meant to resume this month, but yesterday the government admitted that could blow out to the end of the year.

The Opposition claims commuters are suffering - an added blow because there is also no movement on the Noarlunga to Seaford extension which was completed a couple months ago.

“The track’s finished, it’s ready to go, they’re testing trains on it,” Shadow Transport Minister Vickie Chapman said.

“There is absolutely no reason why the people of Seaford should also be penalised.

“It was promised for this year.”

The Government said the stretch will still be used for testing until the entire line is electrified until 2014.

“Full blown services won’t be until the beginning of next year, as we said in June,” Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

There are fears more delays to the rail system will only lead to greater congestion in the city, as commuters abandon public transport and jump in the car instead.

“A lot of buses aren’t even being used very much, whereas the trains would’ve had people on them,” one commuter told 7News.

The Minister is confident they will be back on board next year.

“When you’ve got an express service from Seaford into Adelaide in 35 minutes, absolutely,” Mr Koutsantonis said.