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SA seniors saving millions as free travel boosts public transport patronage
Monday, 18 September 2023
South Australian Seniors Card holders have collectively saved up to $5.1 million on Adelaide Metro travel costs since the introduction of free all-day travel, as revealed by new data that shows the measure is helping get South Australians back onto public transport.
In July 2022, public transport became free all day, every day for Seniors Card holders, who were previously charged for services during the morning and afternoon peak periods on weekdays from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm.
Seniors have embraced free travel during these times, with a significant uplift in trips taken over the first 12 months of the program.
From just over 477,000 trips taken in June last year by Seniors Card holders, the 12 months from July 2022 have seen a total patronage of 7,338,675 by seniors card holders – a monthly average of 611,556 and a 37 per cent increase on the previous full financial year.
And while there has been seasonal variation on patronage levels, the figure has remained above 600,000 in all but two of the past 10 months.
With free travel any time on Adelaide Metro services for approximately 430,000 South Australian Seniors Card members, catching the bus, train or tram has become a simpler and more flexible way to get where you need to go.
More than 1.7 million trips have been undertaken by senior card holders in the morning and afternoon peaks during the first 12 months of the initiative, collectively saving Seniors Card holders between $3.4 million and $5.1 million, depending on whether travellers would have opted for the $2 MetroCard trip or $3 paper ticket.
While seniors who were already travelling during off-peak times continued to do so, we’ve seen an increase in journeys by seniors who would otherwise have stayed home or who would have had to make alternative arrangements to arrive at their appointments.
To access free travel, simply validate your Seniors Card each time you board a service or pass through barrier gates.