Reporting required under any other Act or Regulation

• Report on the administration of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993
• Reporting against the Air Transport (Route Licensing—Passenger Services) Act 2002
• Reporting required under the Carers’ Recognition Act 2005
• Reporting against the Passenger Transport Act 1994

Report on the administration of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993

The following report is provided in accordance with section 10 of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 (the Act) for the 2022-2023 financial year.

Safe navigation for vessels River Murray Flood Event

The Department was a support agency to the State Emergency Service (SES) during the River Murray flood event. Under the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 – section 67, a number of restrictions were placed on operating on the River Murray to keep river users safe due to the flood conditions.

The River Murray work involved the deployment of 211 temporary signs advising the community of hazards and restrictions and 284 navigational hazard assessments.

A dedicated webpage was set up with marine safety information about restrictions and safe river use and boat ramps that were closed along the river.

Registration and Licences in 2022-2023

In 2022-2023, 5,115 new boat licences were issued and 84 Special Permits were issued for persons aged 12 to 15. Of these Special Permit holders, 18 undertook a theory examination and practical test to allow them to operate unsupervised. A further 66 undertook a theory test which only allows them to operate with a boat licence holder. There are a total of 305,064 boat licence holders in South Australia. In terms of registration, there were 2,346 new boat registrations in 2022-2023, with a total of 50,749 boats registered at the end of June 2023.

Safety Strategies

A new marketing campaign ran from October 2022 to April 2023. The campaign aimed to remind boaters to stay safe with the key message of ‘Know it – Safe boating is knowing your equipment and vessel’. The campaign included social media posts throughout the season and boosted social media posts around school holidays and long weekends, radio advertisements on metropolitan radio, radio advertisements on radio streaming services and podcasts, print adverts and editorial in Fishing SA magazine and digital advertising on websites that boaters visit.

The non-compliance rate of vessels checked during the campaign period of October 2022 to April 2023 was 35.9%, an improvement on the previous year’s campaign of 39.5%. A monthly newsletter was distributed to more than 4,300 subscribers (increase of 700 subscribers compared to the previous financial year), providing regular information about new regulations and boating safety. Media releases were issued at peak boating periods with Marine Safety and Compliance staff undertaking radio interviews to promote key safety messages.

Aquatic Activity Licences

Aquatic Activity Licenses are issued to organisations for the purpose of an aquatic sport, activity, or other purpose to be conducted on State waters. During 2022-2023, 104 Aquatic Activity Licenses were issued for events such as races, exhibitions and fireworks displays.

Pilotage

The South Australian Government is responsible for issuing pilot licenses and pilotage exemptions for a vessel 35 metres or more in length which must not be navigated within a ‘prescribed area’ (compulsory pilotage area) unless the vessel is navigated under the control or at the direction of a licensed pilot; or the master of the vessel holds a Pilotage Exemption certificate; or the vessel is a Royal Australian Navy vessel.

Three Pilot Licences and 15 pilotage exemptions covering 11 different ports across South Australia were issued during 2022-2023.

Safety Operation of Vessels

The Department employs a team of Marine Safety Officers who operate throughout the State. These officers conduct routine and targeted patrols by land and by water, to observe boating behaviours and to inspect vessels for compliance and safety equipment, registration and licensing requirements.

During 2022-2023 there were 3,068 recreational vessels inspected with 33.7%
non-compliant. This was an improvement on 2021-2022 where 39.5% of vessels were non-compliant. During 2022-2023, there were 281 expiation notices issued for a total of 349 offences and 623 cautions issued to owners or operators. Most of these were issued for offences relating to failing to carry one to two items of safety equipment, lifejacket carriage and wear, failure to carry or expired flares, operating unregistered and speeding.

Reporting against the Air Transport (Route Licensing—Passenger Services) Act 2002

The following report is provided pursuant to Section 19 of the Air Transport (Route Licensing—Passenger Services) Act 2002.

Operation and Administration of the Act in 2022-2023

There were no Declared Routes or Route Licenses in 2022-2023.

Reporting required under the Carers’ Recognition Act 2005

The principles of the Carer’s Charter are incorporated into the Department’s strategic human resource framework, onboarding, and corporate induction resource material. Guidelines and operating procedures outline the responsibilities of managers to assist employees to meet their caring obligations by providing a range of options that can be tailored to suit each employee’s personal circumstances. This includes measures such as access to family carer’s leave, flexible working hours, flexible leave arrangements and access to special leave.

South Australians with severe and permanent disabilities which limit their capacity to access public transport independently are able to apply for transport assistance such as the Plus One Free Companion card and the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme. The Plus One Free Companion card provides assistance to people who cannot travel independently due to mobility, cognitive, sensory or communication impairment. Companions or carers accompanying Plus One Free Companion card holders may access Adelaide Metro public transport services free of charge.

The Department provides public transport information for people with a disability, their families and their carers on network accessibility via the Adelaide Metro mobile app, website, as well as the Adelaide Metro InfoLine and InfoCentres.

The range of accessibility features has been enhanced to include ramps available on all public transport services, priority and allocated seating, provision for assistance animals, alternative signage and audible information.

On 15 June 2023, the Department became an official signatory to the Equal Opportunity Commission’s We’re Equal campaign with implementation activities being planned internally and across Service SA centres and the Adelaide Railway Station.

Reporting against the Passenger Transport Act 1994

The Department administers the Passenger Transport Act 1994 (the PT Act) and Passenger Transport Regulations 2009 by planning, regulating and funding public transport services (bus, train and tram, taxi and hire car) across South Australia. Pursuant to section 24A of the PT Act the following report is provided.

The Department has performance-based franchise contracts with bus, tram and train operators that keeps the operator focused firmly on the efficiency and quality of service delivery to customers. The government retains ownership of rail assets (including trains, trams, tracks, stations and all infrastructure); sets requirements for levels of services; continues to set the fare price for travel on bus, tram and trains and retains the revenue.

Public transport bus and tram services across metropolitan Adelaide are provided by four private transport providers, Torrens Transit Pty Ltd which operates three contract areas (East West, Outer North and Outer North East); Busways South Australia Pty Ltd which operates the Outer South contract area; and Australian Transit Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Southlink which operates the Hills contract area. Torrens Connect (a joint venture between Torrens Transit Pty Ltd, UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd and John Holland Pty Ltd) provide both bus and light rail services in the North-South contract area.

The bus and tram contracts commenced on 5 July 2020. Rail infrastructure maintenance for tram functions (i.e. within track, civil, signalling and overhead) transitioned to Torrens Connect on 31 January 2021, in line with the commencement of the new train contract.

The Outsourced Rail Operations Agreement with Keolis Downer Adelaide commenced on 31 January 2021, for the operation and maintenance of the Adelaide Metropolitan Passenger Rail Network, which consists of six commuter routes on four main lines with the provision of asset management and rolling stock maintenance services.

In line with the South Australian Government’s election commitment to return rail to government hands, an agreement has been reached with the train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide and tram operator Torrens Connect to hand back operational functions by January 2025, and July 2025 respectively.

Public transport services in regional South Australia are administered by the Department. These include regular route services (country bus services), provincial city services, integrated transport plans, special medical-related services and  Dial-a-Ride services.

The Department supports community passenger networks across regional South Australia and within metropolitan Adelaide. The Community Passenger Networks Program is established to facilitate access to transport for people who are transport disadvantaged. The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Department of Human Services.

The Department is committed to continually improving public transport services and infrastructure and making public transport more accessible and easier to use for all users. The metropolitan bus fleet is now 100% accessible.

The Department's Station Upgrade Program continues to upgrade selected stations along metropolitan passenger rail lines to provide safer and more efficient services for train customers, with all improvements focusing on accessibility in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 2002, for public transport services. Improved facilities for commuters include new shelters, improved lighting, platform furniture, additional cover, improved access, pedestrian crossings, bike enclosures, additional CCTV cameras, new access paths and ramps along with new car parking facilities.

Departmental officers at the Adelaide Railway Station monitor accessibility gates and provide 'sighted guide' assistance to passengers to board trains if needed. Information regarding accessible journeys is published on the Adelaide Metro website.

Adelaide Metro patronage 2022-2023

The total patronage on the public transport system increased by 26.4% compared with the previous financial year.

Total patronage by mode

Total patronage by passenger type

Total patronage by ticket type

*The figures listed above include free travel data.

Special event services

On 23 October 2014, an amendment to the PT Act was enacted with respect to the management and funding of public transport for special events. The aim of the legislation is to facilitate the successful planning of special events in metropolitan Adelaide by requiring mandatory notification of major events and also to provide a mechanism for the costs of additional public transport services required for the event to be recovered where the event is considered a "commercial event".

The key elements of the legislation include the requirement for venue managers to notify the Department six months in advance (or as soon as the event is known) of any event expected to attract more than 5,000 patrons and, where additional public transport services are required, that commercial events contribute to the cost of these extra services.

Events are classified as one of two different categories of event for the purposes of the legislation. The two categories are:

• Commercial Events – organised for profit where there is a fee for participants either in the form of a ticket or an indirect fee i.e. membership of a club or association; or
• Community Events – organised as not for profit, the event is open to the community and attendance is free or a voluntary donation from attendees may be sought.

Based on the information provided in the notification form, the Department will make a determination regarding the need for additional or special public transport services to cater for the event and, where extra services are required, events categorised as "commercial" will be required to fund the services.

The 2022-2023 year saw the return of many major events and large crowds following the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowds at AFL games at Adelaide Oval returned to pre-COVID levels requiring the Department’s Adelaide Oval Express services to deliver these patrons safety to and from games. Other events such as the Royal Show and Christmas Pageant also saw increased crowds as COVID restrictions and arrangements were removed. The 2022 Royal Show was the first time that patrons were required to pre-purchase tickets and metroCARDs to use on public transport, with a large portion of patrons previously using cash to purchase tickets on board.

The Department undertook a significant public communication process to advise patrons to pre-purchase tickets, resulting in a successful event and transition to metroCARD ready for the 2023 event. This financial year also saw the return of the Adelaide 500 which required a significant number of additional and special bus, train and tram services over the course of the four-day event. This was also the case for the State of Origin Rugby which was held at Adelaide Oval and was supported by Adelaide Oval Express services across the network.

In addition to these events, Adelaide hosted two significant events in 2023, being AFL's first Gather Round and LIV Golf. Both of these events were the first of their kind in Australia and required considerable planning, coordination and collaboration with a number of stakeholders. The transport plan for both events was very successful, contributing a seamless, safe and enjoyable customer experience for patrons.

Regional services

The Department regulates and contributes to funding transport services in some regional areas.

Regular route services operate across regional South Australia and link major centres to Adelaide. Services operate in the Barossa Valley, Murray Mallee, Mid North, Upper North, Far North, Riverland, Eyre, South East and Fleurieu regions.

Integrated transport services operate in the Coorong District Council, Karoonda East District Council, Murray District Council, Southern Mallee District Council, Mid Murray District Council, Southern Yorke Peninsula, Tatiara District Council, Eastern Riverland, Upper North, Mid North, Adelaide Hills, Victor Harbor and on Kangaroo Island.

Dial-a-Ride door to door services are provided in Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge, the Copper Coast and Barossa Valley. These supplement regular timetabled services and extend the range of public transport options for these communities.

In 2022-2023, the Department completed the tender process for the 14 Phase 1 Regional Bus Service contracts, with the new contracts commencing on 1 October 2023. The funding for regional bus passenger services included in the 2022-2023 State Budget will ensure that current regional bus service levels are maintained. The State Budget funding will also ensure that all vehicles used for regional services comply with mandatory disability standards. The remaining Phase 2 contracts are scheduled to be released for tender in late 2023.

Based on data provided by regional bus operators, regional bus patronage in
2022-2023 was 599,705, an increase of 7.90% from the previous year.

The 2022-2023 patronage is at a similar level to the 2020-2021 data, recovering from the additional COVID-19 impacts in 2021-2022 (the State-wide lockdown in July 2021 and the opening of the border in November 2021).

Provincial city bus services

Regular passenger services operate in South Australia's provincial cities of Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier. Provincial city services are a combination of town and school services.

In the four years prior to the start of COVID-19, provincial city bus service patronage decreased by an average of 1.6% each year.

Based on data provided by provincial city bus operators, patronage in 2022-2023 was 312,712, a decrease of 1.29% from the previous year. As with the other regional bus services, the decrease is due to passengers appearing to have changed their travel habits or choosing alternative options, such as telehealth appointments, on-line shopping and delivery services.

Complaints, commendations and submissions

Feedback on public transport

Feedback from customers about passenger transport services is welcomed as it provides the ability to improve and assess existing services and practices. Customers are presented with multiple opportunities to provide their feedback through the Adelaide Metro website, Adelaide Metro InfoLine and InfoCentre, as well as social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Complaints represented 0.03% of total public transport patronage (initial boardings and transfers) in the 2022-2023 reporting year, with an increase of 2,932 (24%) compared to the previous year. There was an increase of 148 commendations (21%) compared to the previous year.

The table below shows feedback information on public transport.

Note: the increase in complaints can be partly attributed to the increase in patronage, and to driver shortages.

Feedback on taxi and Small Passenger Vehicle (SPV) services

The Department receives complaints and commendations regarding taxis and small passenger vehicles. Complaints may lead to disciplinary action if a breach of the regulations under the PT Act is found to have occurred.

The table below shows feedback information on taxis and SPVs.

As at June 2023, there were 5,572 small passenger vehicles in the metropolitan area that can provide point to point services; an increase from 4,974 in 2021-2022.

Waiting times

The taxi Centralised Booking Services reported that the average waiting time for general taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2022-2023 was 6 minutes and 30 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm), and 8 minutes and 30 seconds at night (6pm to 6am). The figures include waiting times for phone-booked, hailed and taxi rank trips and meet the prescribed waiting time of 12 minutes, as stated in the conditions for accreditation.

There were 1,035 general licences in metropolitan Adelaide in 2022-2023, noting that not all licences were operational.

Access Taxis

The taxi Centralised Booking Services reported that the average waiting time for Access Taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2022-2023 was 5 minutes and 25 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm) on weekdays and 5 minutes and 30 seconds on weekends, and 13 minutes and 25 seconds at night (6pm to 6am) on weekdays and 13 minutes and 30 seconds on weekends.

Average waiting times for Access Taxis improved from 2021-2022, when the average waiting times were 6 minutes and 13 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm) on weekdays and 8 minutes and 3 seconds on weekends, and 17 minutes and 44 seconds on a weekday night (6pm to 6am).

Approximately 5,002 Access Taxi jobs took more than 30 minutes to pick up the passenger. This compares with 9,286 in 2022-2023, representing a reduction of 53%.

As at 30 June 2023, there are 102 general licences with special conditions (Access Taxis), noting that not all licences are operational.

Passenger Transport Standards Committee

The Passenger Transport Standards Committee (PTSC) is a statutory committee, established under the PT Act, responsible for exercising disciplinary powers under Part 4, Division 5 of the PT Act and for exercising or performing such other powers or functions as may be conferred by the Minister from time to time.

In 2022-2023, the PTSC sat on 103 occasions and considered 1,077 matters which comprised:

• 190 accreditation applications; and
• 887 disciplinary matters.

Of the 887 disciplinary matters, the PTSC:

• suspended the accreditation of 377 accredited persons for a period of time;
• revoked the accreditation of 480 accredited persons and disqualified them for a period of time; and
• permanently disqualified 1 person from holding accreditation under the PT Act.

The remainder were dealt with by other actions, such as a fine, reprimand, caution issued; or found to have no cause to answer.

Disciplinary matters included people who failed to demonstrate they met the standards and requirements to hold an accreditation under the PT Act.

Temporary suspensions primarily related to administrative matters, such as the suspension of a driver’s licence through the fines enforcement system, or following an alcohol related driving offence or after the expiry of annual medical clearances. In these instances, the suspension remains until the driver’s licence has been reinstated or until the updated medical report is provided indicating that the person meets the commercial medical standards to drive a public passenger vehicle.

The majority of accreditation revocations relate to interstate driver’s licence transfers, as a driver cannot hold an accreditation in South Australia if they do not live in the state (with the exception of cross-border workers). Others had their accreditation revoked because their working with children check had been revoked, or their driver’s licence was disqualified or cancelled.

After holding an enquiry, the PTSC found no cause for disciplinary action against four accredited persons, while the remaining accredited persons were fined or reprimanded.

In addition to the above disciplinary matters, the PTSC also placed conditions on the accreditation of three persons.

An increase in disciplinary measures can be attributed to several factors:

• There has been an increase in passenger transport activity in the recovery from COVID-19.
• There are more on-road compliance officers undertaking more enforcement activities.
• Implementation of business process improvements in the administration of licence regulation and the accreditation of medical requirements.