Torrens Connect’s popular tram service in Adelaide celebrates first anniversary

The Adelaide community have embraced Torrens Connect’s tram service since its contract commencement one year ago, operating alongside bus operator Torrens Transit to deliver almost 70 per cent of Adelaide’s public transport network.

Torrens Connect - with its owning partners SeaLink Travel Group, UGL and John Holland - has been committed to delivering world class practises to the local network and providing a more reliable and convenient service.

During its first 12 months of operation, Torrens Connect has continued to work diligently to enhance safety measures for employees and customers, while never compromising on service and reliability.

Clint Feuerherdt, Group CEO of SeaLink Travel Group, says the success of Torrens Connect in Adelaide is a testament to SeaLink’s commitment to growing its multi-modal transport business to best serve the community.

“SeaLink is a proud South Australian business and has been charged with the responsibility of delivering a significant part of the Adelaide public transport network. It is great to have worked with our partners to complete a hugely successful first year of operations on the Adelaide tram network.”

It is no surprise, as an Adelaide local myself, that the Torrens Connect tram service has been embraced and well received by the locals. It is a wonderful and reliable way to get around Adelaide for work or play,” Clint said.

“We take the responsibility of transporting millions of people very seriously. That is why, as a forward-thinking organisation, we present our customers with a myriad of transport options.”

John Holland Executive General Manager Rail, Steve Butcher said customer improvements in the first year of operations were a measure of the experience of the hard-working local team.

“One year into Torrens Connect we are so proud of the improvements to service, safety and reliability for our customers. We thank Adelaide for embracing us with open arms and look forward to continuing to deliver on our commitments,” Mr Butcher said.

Torrens Connect also became the new Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) for the service in January 2021, which includes maintaining the corridor (tracks), overhead wiring and platforms, with another office opened at the Morphettville bus depot to house the new RIM Engineering and Technician Team.

UGL General Manager Operations - Transport & Technology, Ian Quarrie said “The collaboration between Torrens Connect and our client is underpinned by the extensive experience that each of the partners provides. Coupling this experience with local knowledge and talent enables innovative service delivery that has been developed and implemented for the betterment of the Adelaide community.”

In the year since Torrens Connect commenced operations, key achievements have included;

  • Working with South Australian Public Transport Authority (SAPTA) and the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) to optimise traffic light sequences along tram routes to reduce journey times and improve traffic flow

  • Improving the safety of our customers and our team with 40% reduction in Slip Trip Fall events

  • Undertaking projects to upgrade tram air-conditioning systems along with planning for upgrades to tram CCTV and tram platforms to keep our customer and team safe and comfortable on their journeys

SAJessie Zhao