Reporting required under any other Act or Regulation

• Report on the administration of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993
• Registration and Licences
• Safety Strategies
• Aquatic Activity Licences
• Pilotage
• Safety Operation of Vessels
• 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 2021-2022 financial year.

Registration and Licences

In 2021-2022, 6,287 new boat licences were issued and 198 Special Permits were issued for persons aged 12 to 15.  Of these Special Permit holders, 115 undertook a theory examination and practical test to allow them to operate unsupervised.  A further 83 undertook a theory test which only allows them to operate with a boat licence holder.  There are a total of 304,087 boat licence holders in South Australia.

In terms of registration, there were 2,781 new boat registrations in 2021-2022, with a total of 54,070 boats registered at the end of June 2022.

Safety Strategies

A new marketing campaign ran from October 2021 to April 2022.  The campaign aimed to remind boaters to stay safe with the key message of ‘Safe boating for life – you’ve got this’.  The campaign included boosted social media posts around school holidays and long weekends, billboards in regional and metro areas, radio advertisements in English and Vietnamese, radio advertisements on radio streaming services and podcasts, and digital advertising on websites that boaters visit.  The non-compliance rate of vessels checked during the campaign period (39.5%) was an improvement on the previous year (41.18%).

A monthly newsletter was distributed to more than 3,600 subscribers, providing regular information about new regulations and boating safety.  Media releases were issued at peak boating periods with Marine Safety SA staff undertaking radio interviews to promote key messages.  The Marine Safety and Compliance team attended the 2021, Club Marine SA Boat and Fishing Show and Royal Life Saving SA River Safety Day at Renmark to provide information to attendees.

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 2021-2022, 98 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.

Four Pilot Licences and 14 pilotage exemptions were issued during 2021-2022.

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 for safety equipment, registration and licensing requirements.

Approximately 3,884 recreational vessels were inspected during 2021-2022, with 591 expiation notices and 918 cautions issued to owners or operators. Most of these were issued for offences relating to failing to carry items of safety equipment, lifejackets, expired flares, operating unregistered and speed.

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 2021-2022

Activity ceased in 2020-2021, as a result the Adelaide – Port Augusta declaration ended on 31 December 2020.

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.

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

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 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 South Australian 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 2021-2022 (millions)

The total patronage on the public transport system in 2021-2022 was 47,529,317, an 8.7% reduction compared with total patronage in the previous year (2020-2021).

Note: 2021-2022 patronage continued to be significantly impacted by the impacts of COVID-19.

Total patronage by mode

Total patronage by passenger type

Total patronage by ticket type

Note: *the figures listed above include free travel data.

Special event services

On 23 October 2014, an amendment to the Passenger Transport Act 1994, 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.

During 2021-2022, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on special events with many events either cancelled or considerably scaled back with respect to crowd numbers permitted.  Major events that were held during 2021-2022, albeit with reduced crowd numbers, included cricket, AFL football and the Christmas Pageant. All of these events were held at Adelaide Oval with additional, special AOX services operating across the bus, train and tram network, to and from the event. While crowds were significantly reduced, the Department maintained a full suite of services to assist patrons to maintain social distance while on special public transport services. Despite the reduced crowds during 2021-2022, an average of 40% of the crowds attending AFL matches at Adelaide Oval used public transport to travel to and from the events. During 2021-2022, all cruise ships were cancelled and therefore the Department was not required to provide additional public transport and customer support services for these visits as has been required in previous years.

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.

On 28 June 2022, the Department commenced Phase One of a competitive market process for the regional bus service contracts. As part of this competitive process, the Department has consolidated 28 existing regional contracts to 19 contracts with contracts 1-14 (representing 21 of the current 28 contract areas, expiring on 30 June 2023) included in Phase One and contracts 15-19 (representing seven of the 28 current contract areas) to be released to market in mid-2023.

Regional Contractors are legally obliged to ensure their vehicles fully comply with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport by 31 December 2022.

In the four years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic patronage on regional bus services decreased by an average of 5.7% per year. 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.

In 2021-2022, regional patronage was further impacted during the state-wide lockdown in July 2021, when the border opened in November 2021, and as a result of the increase in COVID-19 cases since December 2021.

Based on data provided by regional bus operators, regional bus patronage in  2021-2022 was 555,783, a decrease of 7.38% 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 2021-2022 was 316,800, a decrease of 21.22% from the previous year. As with the other regional bus services, the decrease is due to the further impacts of COVID-19 and passengers appearing to have changed their travel habits or choosing alternative options rather than travelling, such as telehealth appointments, on-line shopping, and delivery services.

Throughout 2021-2022 the COVID-19 Financial Support Package was provided to contracted regional bus service operators. This assisted in alleviating the financial strain on contractors due to their loss of patronage, and therefore fare revenue. This package was critical in ensuring that these essential services were maintained for the regional communities.

Complaints, commendations and submissions

Feedback on public transport

Feedback from customers about passenger transport services is welcomed as it helps SAPTA 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 2021-2022, with an increase of 3,556 (41.5%) compared to the previous year. There was an increase of 101 commendations (16%) compared to the previous year.

The table below shows feedback information on public transport.

Note: a number of complaints were received during the COVID-19 pandemic that related to service impacts and the mask mandate on public transport

Feedback on taxi and Small Passenger Vehicle (SPV) services

The Department receives complaints and commendations regarding taxis and SPVs. 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 2022, there were 4,974 SPVs in the metropolitan area that can provide point to point services.

Waiting times

The taxi centralised booking services reported that the average waiting time for general taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2021-2022 was 9 minutes and 50 seconds during the day (6am to 6pm), and 8 minutes 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 2021-2022.

Access Taxis

The taxi centralised booking services reported that the average waiting time for Access Taxis in metropolitan Adelaide for 2021-2022 was 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 9,286 Access Taxi jobs took more than 30 minutes to pick up the passenger. This compares with 12,798 in 2020-2021, noting this statistic has been reviewed and updated from that previously reported.

There are 101 general licences with special conditions (Access Taxis).

Passenger Transport Standards Committee

The Passenger Transport Standards Committee (PTSC) 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 for Infrastructure and Transport from time to time.

In 2021-2022, the PTSC sat on 107 occasions and considered 579 matters which comprised:

• 149 accreditation applications; and
• 430 disciplinary matters.

Of the 430 disciplinary matters, the PTSC:

• suspended the accreditation of 284 accredited persons for a period of time;
• revoked the accreditation of 124 accredited persons and disqualified them for a period of time; and
• permanently disqualified 1 person from holding accreditation under the 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 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 nine 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 one person.