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 2023-2024 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 section 67 of the H&N Actseveral 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 2023-2024

In 2023-2024, 3,207 new boat licences were issued, and 140 Special Permits were issued for persons aged 12 to 15. Of these Special Permit holders, 27 undertook a theory examination and a practical test to allow them to operate unsupervised. A further 113 undertook a theory test only, which only allows them to operate supervised with a full boat licence holder. There are a total of 309,639 boat licence holders in South Australia. In terms of registration, there were 2,257 new boat registrations in 2023-2024, with a total of 52,682 boats registered at the end of June 2024.

Safety Strategies

A marketing campaign ran from October 2023 to April 2024. The campaign was derived from the top compliance issues that Marine Safety Officers encountered on South Australian waters. The key areas were lifejacket wear and servicing, safe speed limits, having the correct safety equipment on board and understanding the weather conditions.

The campaign was supported by the dedicated Marine Safety SA Facebook page. 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 interviews, radio advertisements on radio streaming services and podcasts, advertising via YouTube videos, print adverts, Fishing SA magazine editorial and digital advertising on websites that boaters visit.

The non-compliance rate of vessels checked during the campaign period of October 2023 to April 2024 was 35.6%, an improvement on the previous year’s campaign of 35.9%. A monthly newsletter was distributed to more than 5,500 subscribers (an increase of approximately 1,200 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 2023-2024, 116 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 2023-2024.

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 2023-2024, there were 5,356 recreational vessels inspected with 34.95% non-compliant. This was a slight increase on 2022-2023, where 33.7% of vessels (2,993) were non-compliant, which can be attributed to the significantly higher number of vessel checks conducted, a 75% increase year-on-year. During 2023-2024, there were 581 expiation notices issued for a total of 713 offences and 1,279 cautions were issued to owners or operators. Most of these were issued for offences relating to failing to carry one to two items of safety equipment, failure to carry and / or wear lifejackets, 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 2023-2024

There were no Declared Routes or Route Licenses in 2023-2024.

Reporting required under the Carers’ Recognition Act 2005

The Department complies with the requirements of the Carer’s Recognition Act 2005, and actively incorporates the principles of the Carer’s Charter in its Human Resource Policy. The policy provides the overarching framework for human resource management within the Department. The Charter’s principles are reflected in our corporate induction and onboarding processes and material, which outline the options available to employees that can be tailored to meet their individual circumstances, along with the responsibilities of managers to support employees in utilising these arrangements. This includes measures such as flexible working arrangements, various types of leave including family carer’s leave, special leave, cultural leave and purchased leave and access to resources and services on wellbeing.

The Department is committed to ensuring our premises are a safe space for all people and our workplace is one where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The Department continues to be a contributor to the ‘We’re Equal’ initiative, is a member of the Diversity Council and supports internal initiatives and actions related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the form of Communities of Practice and implementation of a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2026.

South Australians with severe and permanent disabilities which limit their capacity to access public transport independently can 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.

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, 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 keep the operators focused firmly on the efficiency and quality of service delivery to customers. The South Australian Government retains ownership of rail assets (including trains, trams, tracks, stations, and all infrastructure),sets requirements for levels of services andcontinues to set the fare price for travel on bus, tram and trains whilst retaining the revenue.

Public transport bus and tram services across metropolitan Adelaide are provided by four private transport providers, Torrens Transit Pty Ltd operates three contract areas (East West, Outer North and Outer North East); Busways South Australia Pty Ltd operates the Outer South contract area; and Australian Transit Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Southlink 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) provides 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 for train at 3am on Sunday, 2 February 2025, and for tram at 3am on Sunday, 27 July 2025, respectively.

Public transport services in regional South Australia are also administered by the Department. These include regular route services (country bus services), provincial city services, integrated transport services, 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 continues to upgrade selected stations along metropolitan passenger rail lines, with improvements focusing on safety, amenity and accessibility in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 2002, for public transport services. Improved facilities for commuters may include new shelters, improved lighting, platform furniture, improved access, pedestrian crossings, bike enclosures, additional CCTV cameras, new access paths and ramps along with new car and bike parking facilities.

Accessibility gates at the Adelaide Railway Station are monitored 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 2023-2024

The total patronage on the public transport system increased by 12.6% 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.

South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) progressively introduced a range of additional new payment options including EMV (Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa) which allows full fare customers to tap onto the network using their credit and debit cards and new Buy & Go digital QR tickets through the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app.

The progressive rollout of the new features and functions include:

• Tap and Pay (EMV) – Trams and O-Bahn Buses        September 2021
• Tap and Pay (EMV) – All Remaining Buses                 November 2022
• Buy & Go app (Digital QR Tickets)                                  February 2024

Below are the patronage details for the new payment systems for the 2023-2024 financial year, noting that these numbers are already included in above tables.

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.

Throughout 2023-2024, the South Australian Government continued to support major events in Adelaide by providing additional public transport services to deliver patrons safely to and from events. In addition to the regular AFL seasons where a significant number of additional bus, train and tram services operate before and after games, special event public transport services were also provided to events such as the Royal Show, the Christmas Pageant, the VAILO 500, concerts at Adelaide Oval including Pink. Major international events hosted in Adelaide and supported by additional public transport services included Gather Round, LIV Golf, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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.

New Regional Bus Service contracts commenced in October 2023, following a tender process for 14 Phase 1 contracts. The Department also released a tender process for the five Phase 2 Regional Bus Service contracts, to ensure that the current regional bus service levels are maintained, and all vehicles used for regional services comply with mandatory disability standards.

Patronage on regional bus services has continually decreased in the last ten years. This decrease has in part been attributed to cheaper regional airfares, internet banking/services/shopping and people generally choosing to use cars rather than travelling long distances on buses.

Based on data provided by regional bus operators, regional bus patronage in 2023‑2024 was 573,051, a decrease of 4.4% from the previous year.

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 2023-2024 was 327,792, an increase of 4.8% from the previous year. Although patronage has increased in the provincial cities, it is still lower than pre COVID-19 levels 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 0.02% of total public transport patronage (initial boardings and transfers) in the 2023-2024 reporting year, with a decrease of 288 (2%) compared to the previous year. There was a decrease of 32 commendations (4%) compared to the previous year.

The table below shows feedback information on public transport.

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 2024, there were 6,631 small passenger vehicles (including rideshare) in the metropolitan area that can provide point to point services; an increase from 5,572 in 2022-2023.

Waiting times

The taxi Centralised Booking Services reported that the average waiting time for general taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2023-2024 was 6 minutes and 17 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm), 8 minutes and 42 seconds on weekdays nights (6pm to 6am), 7 minutes and 40 seconds on weekend days and 8 minutes and 43 seconds on weekend nights. 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 1,007 general licences in metropolitan Adelaide in 2023-2024, 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 2023-2024 was 4 minutes and 55 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm) on weekdays and 5 minutes and 16 seconds on weekends, and 11 minutes and 44 seconds at night (6pm to 6am) on weekdays and 12 minutes and 44 seconds on weekends.

Average waiting times for Access Taxis improved from 2022-2023, when the average waiting times were 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.

Approximately 6,970 Access Taxi jobs took more than 30 minutes to pick up the passenger. This compares with 10,476 in 2022-2023, representing a decrease of 33.5% in the number of jobs with a 30 minutes or more waiting time.

As at 30 June 2024, there were 99 general licences with special conditions (Access Taxis), a reduction of 3 licences from 2022-2023, noting that not all licences were operational throughout the year.

Passenger Transport Standards Committee

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

In 2023-2024, the Passenger Transport Standards Committee sat on 131 occasions and considered 987 matters, which comprised:

• 235 accreditation applications; and
• 752 disciplinary matters.

Of the 752 disciplinary matters, the Passenger Transport Standards Committee:

• suspended the accreditation of 274 accredited persons for a period of time;
• revoked the accreditation of 423 accredited persons and disqualified them for a period of time; and
• permanently disqualified 2 persons from holding accreditation under the PT Act.

The remainder were dealt with by other actions, such as a fine, reprimand or caution and in some cases it was found there was 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 most 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 Passenger Transport Standards Committee found no cause for disciplinary action against five accredited persons, while the remaining accredited persons were fined or reprimanded.

In addition to the above disciplinary matters, the Passenger Transport Standards Committee also placed conditions on the accreditation of seven persons.