The
AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
O-Bahn Busway in the
South AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories....
n capital city is the world's longest and fastest
guided busGuided buses are buses steered for part or all of their route by external means, usually on a dedicated track. This track, which often parallels existing roads, excludes all other traffic, permitting the maintenance of reliable schedules on heavily used corridors even during rush hours.Guidance...
way. The O-Bahn — from the
LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
omnibus ("for all people") and the German
bahn ("way" or "road") — was conceived by
Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
to enable buses to avoid traffic congestion by sharing
tramA tram, tramcar, trolley, trolleycar, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a conventional train, designed for the transport of passengers within, close to, or between villages, towns and/or cities, on tracks running primarily on streets...
tunnels in the German city of
EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
.
The route was introduced in 1986 to service Adelaide's rapidly expanding
northeastern suburbsThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
, replacing an earlier plan for a
tramway extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The O-bahn design is unique among
public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
systems; busways typically use dedicated bus lanes or separate carriageways, but the O-Bahn runs on specially-built track, combining elements of both bus and rail systems. Adelaide's track is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long and includes one station and two interchanges:
Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
in
KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
,
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
in Campbelltown and
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
in
Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Interchanges allow buses to enter and exit the busway and to continue on suburban routes, avoiding the need for passengers to change. Buses travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and the busway is capable of carrying 18,000 passengers an hour, from the
Central Business DistrictThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
to Tea Tree Plaza in 15 minutes. Services are operated by
Torrens TransitTorrens Transit is a privately-owned public transport company which operates a bus service in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is part of Transit Systems Australia, which also operates Swan Transit....
under contract from
Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
, an agency of the South Australian Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.
As announced in the 2009 Australian federal budget, bus routes serving the O-Bahn will be extended from Hackney Road along Grenfell and Currie streets to West Terrace on the far side of the
CBDCBD is a common abbreviation for a central business district. It may also refer to:* Brazilian Sport Confederation, from 1919 to 1979 predecessor of CBF, the national governing body for football in Brazil...
along dedicated bus lanes.
History
Adelaide has had significant population growth since the industrial expansion following
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, with the population having tripled from 321,400 in 1938 to 1,129,269 in 2005. Concurrent with this growth, a transport blueprint, developed with American assistance, was presented in 1968: the
Metropolitan Adelaide Transport StudyThe Metropolitan Adelaide Transport Study, or "MATS Plan" as it became known, was a comprehensive transport plan released in 1968 examining the then-current and future needs of transport for the city of Adelaide....
(MATS). The plan envisaged a large network of
freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
s crossing the metropolitan area, together with an underground city loop
railwayThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. One of the freeways to be constructed was the
Modbury Freeway, connecting a city bypass route with the then predominantly barren and undeveloped north-eastern suburbs. The freeway was to be built in a
linear parkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
alongside the
River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
.
The size of the MATS plan resulted in considerable public opposition; several suburbs were to completely disappear under
interchangesIn the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
, with
HindmarshHindmarsh is a suburb of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and located within the City of Charles Sturt. The suburb is named after South Australia's first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh...
to be removed to make way for a multi-entry interchange. Widespread images of
gridlockTraffic congestion is a condition on networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles...
in similar overseas freeway networks also contributed to this opposition. The plan was abandoned by successive governments, and much of the land held by the Highways Department was sold off for housing developments. However, the land for the Modbury Freeway was retained and later renamed from "Modbury Freeway Corridor" to "Modbury Transport Corridor". The Modbury corridor was left to degrade, eventually becoming
landfillA landfill, also known as a dump , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
.
The population of the
Tea Tree Gully regionThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
increased from 2,561 in 1954 to 91,921 in 2001, through new housing developments. In 1973, the State Director-General of Transport spoke about using the Modbury corridor for public transport to improve services in the area, initially suggesting a heavy rail line be constructed to connect with the
railway systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Over the next four years, the Department conducted the North East Public Transport Review (NEAPTR), which considered heavy rail, light rail, busways and freeways as options for the corridor. The study concluded in 1978 that a light rail line or busway were most viable. The governing
Australian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
, under Premier
Don DunstanDonald Allan Dunstan, AC, QC was a South Australian politician. He entered politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953, became state Labor leader in 1967, and was Premier of South Australia between June 1967 and April 1968, and again between June 1970 and February 1979.A reformist, Dunstan brought...
, decided on a
light railLight rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
proposal to extend the historic
Glenelg tramThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
. The new route was to continue along
King William StreetKing William Street is the part of a major arterial road that traverses the CBD and centre of Adelaide . It was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after King William IV, the monarch at the time,...
beyond the present terminus in
Victoria SquareVictoria Square is a public square located in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The square forms the centre of the city's grid of one square mile. The square was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after Princess Victoria, heir presumptive of the British throne. Less than...
and weave through the
Adelaide Park LandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
to the Modbury corridor.
The light rail system was to connect with feeder buses at stations along the length of the corridor to transfer passengers onto suburban routes. New light rail vehicles were to be bought to replace the ageing 1929 H-Class vehicles. However, public opposition to the project was broad; the
Adelaide City CouncilThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
objected to the plan on the basis that it would interfere with the well-designed layout of the city proper. In response, the Government altered the plan to redirect the line underneath the city, significantly increasing the cost. Residents in inner-city suburbs such as St Peters were concerned about the noise of the light rail vehicles, and protested against any disruption of the Torrens Gorge, which lies in the Modbury corridor. The
LiberalThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
MP for
TorrensTorrens is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. Located along the River Torrens, and named after Robert Richard Torrens, a 19th century Premier of South Australia, and also the founder of the "Torrens title" land registration system. Torrens is...
,
Michael WilsonMichael Wilson is a former South Australian politician and MP in the House of Assembly from 1977 to 1985, representing the Electoral district of Torrens. He oversaw the construction of the Adelaide O-Bahn Busway whilst in office as Transport Minister....
, representing the north-eastern suburbs, vocally opposed the project on behalf of his constituents.
Drilling commenced on the tunnel, but the resignation in 1979 of popular Premier Dunstan weakened the Government, along with widespread bus strikes and public dissatisfaction with the light rail project. In elections held that year, the Liberal Party gained government with a swing of 11% in their favour. Wilson became Transport Minister in the new
cabinetA Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or Executive Committee.- Overview :...
and construction of the light rail project was halted immediately.
In search of a replacement for the light rail project, the new Government sent experts to examine an innovative guided bus system being developed in
West GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
by
Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
for use in tram tunnels in
EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
. After extensive consultations with German authorities, State Transport Department engineers decided the O-Bahn could be used. The system was seen as far superior to previous proposals; it used less land, made less noise, was faster and cost less. In addition, its unique feature of a non-transfer service direct from suburban streets to the city centre made it more attractive. Plans were drawn up for a length of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi): initially only three kilometres (1.8 mi) were to be constructed as O-Bahn, with the rest being conventional busway. However, safety concerns and public opposition led to O-Bahn being used for the entire length. Construction began in 1983 for the first section to
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
. In 1982 the
TonkinDr David Oliver Tonkin AO was the 38th Premier of South Australia, serving from 18 September 1979 to 10 November 1982.-Early life:...
Liberal Government that oversaw the O-Bahn's development lost office and was succeeded by the
BannonJohn Charles Bannon AO was the Labor Premier of South Australia between 10 November 1982 and 4 September 1992.-Early Life:Bannon was born in Bendigo, Victoria and completed degrees in Arts and Law at the University of Adelaide. While at university, he was co-editor of the student newspaper On Dit...
-led Labor Party resulting in uncertainty over the future of the project. The Bannon Government, after consultations, decided to continue with Stage 1 (City to Paradise) and in 1986 proceeded with Stage 2 (Paradise to Tea Tree Plaza). The cost of the project totalled
$The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
98 million, including the buses.
The O-Bahn had more than 4 million passenger trips in the year after completion of Stage 1 in 1986, with a 30% increase the following year. When the O-Bahn was completed in 1989, passenger numbers rose another 17%. The Adelaide public transport system was privatised in the 1990s and overall patronage across all systems (bus, rail and tram) dropped 25%. The exception to this was the O-Bahn with no decrease, and there were 19,500 passenger trips daily in 1996 (7.13 million a year). Currently there are 22,000 passenger trips daily (8 million a year).
There have been a number of proposals to extend the O-Bahn to
Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
and to the
southern suburbsThe City of Onkaparinga is a local government area located on the southern fringe of Adelaide, South Australia. The name Onkaparinga comes from Ngangkiparinga, a Kaurna word meaning "The Women's River"...
. An extension to Golden Grove would require the acquisition of extensive tracts of private property, in the absence of an available corridor. Population increase in the area is negligible, although sprawl continues from
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
for another eight kilometres to the
Adelaide HillsThe Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 9,000 people and which is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.-...
. The current route was built with an allowance for a station at
Grand Junction RoadGrand Junction Road is the longest east-west thoroughfare in the Adelaide metropolitan area, and is located approximately 9 kilometres north of the city centre. Travelling from the Port Adelaide region, it is mostly a double lane sealed road running 21 kilometres to the base of the Adelaide Hills...
but it has not been built.
The southern O-Bahn proposal has attracted the most attention and has been the subject of various studies and Parliamentary Committees as to its viability since 1996. The rail route through Adelaide's far south is off-centre, without the large catchment area of a more central transport route. An O-Bahn running direct through the region would be able to take advantage of an already large population and the continuing growth in the area. The most suggested route for an O-Bahn has been for an alignment adjacent to the
Noarlunga rail lineThe Noarlunga Centre railway line is a suburban commuter line in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:Before the extension of the line to Noarlunga Centre line in 1978, a line ran from Hallett Cove station on a different route through Reynella, Morphett Vale and Hackham to Willunga...
from the city to the
Tonsley branch lineTonsley Railway Line is a rail route in Adelaide, South Australia, that stems off the Noarlunga Centre railway line to end in Mitchell Park opposite Science Park and close to the Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre. There have been many proposals to extend the line so that it ends...
. The O-Bahn would end there, with buses continuing on an upgraded (dual-carriageway)
Southern ExpresswayThe Southern Expressway is the world's longest reversible one way freeway. Originally proposed as 'Noarlunga Freeway', it was built as a corridor to relieve heavy traffic from the major arterial, Main South Road in Adelaide's south. The expressway was built in two stages — the first...
through the far south. Construction of this O-Bahn would require moving the railway track slightly to fit the O-Bahn alongside. In addition,
Emerson CrossingEmerson Crossing, the 'South Road Overpass' or simply 'the Overpass' are the informal names given to the intersection of South Road, Cross Road and the Noarlunga railway line in Adelaide, South Australia. South Road crosses north-south over both Cross Road and the diagonal railway via a large...
and the
tram overpassThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
would require huge alteration. The estimated cost of construction, AU$182 million, was considered too expensive, and the proposal was suspended in 2001. The current
Labor GovernmentThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
has focused on
road upgradesSouth Road is a major north–south conduit in Adelaide, South Australia. Also known as Main South Road, it is Adelaide's most important arterial road.- Route :...
and an
inner-city light rail extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The purchase of 160 buses at a cost of $120 million is to take place over the five years from 2007 to 2012 to replace buses used on the O-Bahn and inner city routes, where the fleet is near its 25-year age limit. With the contract expected to be finalised by June 2007, the first buses are planned to be delivered in 2008. Being replaced are the current $90 million contract for 170 buses won by
ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
with Custom Coaches from 2001 over five years. With the new contract,
AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
expects to be at 89%
disabilityDisability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities."...
accessible by 2013 and fully accessible by 2022, and all buses will be air-conditioned by 2013. There are also plans to upgrade the O-Bahn track and interchanges with a new state of the art ticketing system. It is planned that weekday travel by
public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
will double by 2018.
Track
The O-Bahn track is made of
concreteConcrete is a construction material composed of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water, and chemical admixtures...
; it is elevated above ground because of the poor quality of soils along the
River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, which frequently move due to seismic shifts. Large concrete pylons were drilled into the ground to ensure stability, to a depth of up to four metres. On top of the pylons are
concrete sleeperA concrete sleeper is a railroad tie made out of steel reinforced concrete.- History :Concrete sleepers were first made in Germany in 1906 for use between Nurenburg and Bamberg. - Types :...
s on which the track runs. 5,600 pylons were drilled in place to support 5,600 sleepers and 4,200 prefabricated L-shaped track pieces, sited at 12-metre (40-ft) intervals. The width of both tracks, sitting on the sleepers, is 6.2 metres (20 ft).
At the city end, the O-Bahn begins at Hackney Road, opposite the
East ParklandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
, where it enters a 60-metre (200-ft) tunnel at a speed limited to 40 km/h (25 mph), due to the tight initial corner, ensuring that the rear tyres (especially trailer tyres of articulated buses) do not 'scrub' against the track. Speed is gradually increased to 80 km/h (50 mph) for most of the trip to
Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
. Once en route to
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
, the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), with 90 km/h (56 mph) on tighter corners. The limit on the remaining section to
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
varies between 100 km/h (62 mph), 90 km/h (56 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph). The average speed including stops is about 60 km/h (37 mph). On some sections 115 km/h (70 mph) has been easily achieved in tests. On entering interchanges the O-Bahn ends and the speed limit is 40 km/h (24 mph). In the interchange area, the speed limit is 20 km/h (12 mph). The O-Bahn is officially considered a road, due to a court ruling in the early years of the system's operation. This ruling permits the
South Australia PoliceThe South Australia Police is the police force of the Australian state of South Australia. It is an agency of the Government of South Australia within the South Australian Department of Justice....
to install speed cameras and fine speeding drivers.
Cars entering the O-Bahn are deterred by a large number of signs at entrance points and a "
sump busterA sump buster is a device used in urban areas to restrict traffic access on various routes. Similar to rising bollards, sump busters are often used in bus lanes to prohibit their use by cars....
" device that rips out a car's
sumpA sump is a low space that collects any often-undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals. A sump can also be an infiltration basin used to manage surface runoff water and recharge underground aquifers....
(oil pan) if it gets onto the track. An average of four cars per year enter the O-Bahn and must be removed by crane.
Buses
The first buses to enter service on the O-Bahn were specially modified
Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG , after previously being owned by Daimler-Benz...
O305 modelsMercedes-Benz O305 is a rear-engined bus model built in West Germany between 1967 and 1987. The O305 was built as a successor of the O317 and was the Mercedes-Benz adaptation of the first so called "Standard-Linienbus" design, that was produced by many different German bus manufacturers. The...
. A fleet comprising 41 rigid and 51
articulatedArticulated buses , are articulated single-decker buses comprising two rigid parts linked together by a pivoting joint. This arrangement allows a longer legal length and thus a higher passenger capacity than rigid single decker buses, while still allowing the bus to be turned within the limitations...
buses was purchased, their cost included in the original $98 million budget. The chassis were bought from Germany and heavily modified at the
Mitsubishi Motorsis the fifth largest automaker in Japan and the fifteenth largest in the world by global unit sales. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Throughout its history it...
plant in
Clovelly ParkClovelly Park is an inner southern suburb of Adelaide in the local government area of the City of Marion. Before becoming an 'advanced' suburb, it was a farm and vineyard. It has a population of around 2,700. The borders are defined by Daws Road to the north, South Road to the east, Sturt Road to...
. The rigid buses had their power increased to 240 hp (177 kW) and the articulateds to 280 hp (207 kW); they were the first buses to travel at a speed of 100 km/h on suburban routes. Modified
ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
and MAN buses were later introduced. All buses have
ABSAn anti-lock braking system, or ABS is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a motor vehicle from locking up while braking....
brakes and are able to stop within two bus lengths.
In the case of breakdowns, a specially designed vehicle nicknamed 'Dumbo' is used to tow buses from the O-Bahn. In the early stages of design it was intended that all buses would have towing ability; however, this was soundly rejected by the drivers' union and 'Dumbo' was purchased. If a bus
tyreA tire is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
blows during a trip the guide-wheel prevents the bus from erratic movement, and a smaller
aluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white and ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al; its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
inner tyre allows the bus to be driven to the nearest station at 40 km/h (24 mph).
The guide-wheel, which protrudes from the front sides and aligns with the track, is the most important part of the bus when travelling on the O-Bahn. Connected directly to the steering mechanism, it 'steers' the bus while on the track and prevents the main tyres from rubbing against the sides of the track. While it is not strictly necessary for drivers to hold the
steering wheelA steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
when travelling on the O-Bahn because of the guide-wheel, safety procedures require the driver to be alert to their circumstances at all times. A
rumble stripRumble strips are a road safety feature that alert drivers to potential danger by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling, transmitted through the wheels into the car body...
before stations is a reminder that they need to resume control. The guide-wheel is the most delicate part of the system and is designed to snap off upon sharp impact; before the O-Bahn was in place, a number of buses were fitted with guide-wheels for their ordinary routes to test their durability. Drivers were forced to be more cautious on their normal trips after numerous guide-wheel-to-kerb impacts.
Interchanges
Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
is the first station, three kilometres (1.8 mi) from the city centre in the suburb of
KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
,
PaynehamThe City of Norwood Payneham & St. Peters is a metropolitan Local Government Area of South Australia. It covers the inner eastern suburbs of Adelaide.-Suburbs:- External links :**...
. It was built as a connector to the city loop 'Circle Line' bus service, which follows the Adelaide outer ring route, not as a bus interchange. Many bus services bypass Klemzig and the station has limited capacity. It contains a "Park 'n' Ride" carpark with 165 parks that is currently being expanded.
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
is the second station, six kilometres (3.7 mi) from the city centre, in
ParadiseParadise is a northeastern suburb of Adelaide in South Australia. It is bounded on the north side by the River Torrens. Amongst its neighboring suburbs are Highbury, Dernancourt, Athelstone, Newton and Campbelltown....
, Campbelltown. The terminus before the completion of Stage 2, it is now served by buses from suburban streets, and has 625 carparks.
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
is the terminus, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city centre, in
ModburyModbury is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Tea Tree Gully. Modbury is located at the end of the Adelaide O-Bahn and is home to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping complex. There is also a hospital in Modbury. It was named Modbury by R...
,
Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Adjacent to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre, it is the largest O-Bahn station. Bus services from this interchange connect to areas as far away as
ElizabethElizabeth is a suburb in the northern extent of Adelaide, South Australia. It was established in 1955 as a master planned satellite town by the South Australian Housing Trust on of rural land between the older towns of Salisbury and Smithfield...
and service the
Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
area. It has 500 carparking spaces.
Ticketing
The O-Bahn uses the standard
Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
ticketing system. Single-trip adult tickets are subsidised by
$The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2.90 by the
South Australian GovernmentThe form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
, compared with the $8.80 subsidy for a journey on the
rail systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Tickets are sold at interchanges and on buses. There are different fares for students and concession-card holders and at off-peak times.
A standard peak ticket costs $4.40 and an off-peak single-trip ticket costs $2.70 and is valid for two hours. Unlimited day tickets ($8.40) and 10-use multi-trip tickets ($29.00) are available. Single-trip concession tickets are $2.20 peak and $1.20 off peak. Tickets can be used across all Adelaide Metro services, including
tramsThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
and
trainsThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
; they require validation upon entry to a vehicle. Failure to produce a ticket incurs a $210.00 fine.
Environment
The construction of the O-Bahn, rather than the previously touted Modbury Freeway, was motivated by a desire to reduce car dependency. $6 million was used for the redevelopment of the
Torrens GorgeThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, in which the
Torrens Linear ParkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
was created. About 150,000 trees, plants and shrubs were planted alongside the track for aesthetic, environmental and noise-reduction purposes; planting was completed in 1997. Arising from environmental considerations, the O-Bahn is
carbon-neutralA carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases...
.
The original buses ran on diesel fuel, but the system allows for buses that run on alternative energy sources. Biodiesel fuel was trialled between July 2005 and May 2006. Buses using
natural gasNatural gas is a gas consisting primarily of methane. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is created by methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills...
have been trialled, although they have not seen regular usage due to a perceived lack of power, especially on the section of the down track immediately after Paradise Interchange where the track rises sharply. The design of the O-Bahn provides for the installation of
overhead wiresOverhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
for
trolleybusA trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles...
es.
Route
>
{{featured article}}
The AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
O-Bahn Busway in the South AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories....
n capital city is the world's longest and fastest guided busGuided buses are buses steered for part or all of their route by external means, usually on a dedicated track. This track, which often parallels existing roads, excludes all other traffic, permitting the maintenance of reliable schedules on heavily used corridors even during rush hours.Guidance...
way. The O-Bahn — from the LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
omnibus ("for all people") and the German bahn ("way" or "road") — was conceived by Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
to enable buses to avoid traffic congestion by sharing tramA tram, tramcar, trolley, trolleycar, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a conventional train, designed for the transport of passengers within, close to, or between villages, towns and/or cities, on tracks running primarily on streets...
tunnels in the German city of EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
.
The route was introduced in 1986 to service Adelaide's rapidly expanding northeastern suburbsThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
, replacing an earlier plan for a tramway extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The O-bahn design is unique among public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
systems; busways typically use dedicated bus lanes or separate carriageways, but the O-Bahn runs on specially-built track, combining elements of both bus and rail systems. Adelaide's track is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long and includes one station and two interchanges: Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
in KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
, Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
in Campbelltown and Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
in Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Interchanges allow buses to enter and exit the busway and to continue on suburban routes, avoiding the need for passengers to change. Buses travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and the busway is capable of carrying 18,000 passengers an hour, from the Central Business DistrictThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
to Tea Tree Plaza in 15 minutes. Services are operated by Torrens TransitTorrens Transit is a privately-owned public transport company which operates a bus service in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is part of Transit Systems Australia, which also operates Swan Transit....
under contract from Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
, an agency of the South Australian Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.
As announced in the 2009 Australian federal budget, bus routes serving the O-Bahn will be extended from Hackney Road along Grenfell and Currie streets to West Terrace on the far side of the CBDCBD is a common abbreviation for a central business district. It may also refer to:* Brazilian Sport Confederation, from 1919 to 1979 predecessor of CBF, the national governing body for football in Brazil...
along dedicated bus lanes.
History
Adelaide has had significant population growth since the industrial expansion following World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, with the population having tripled from 321,400 in 1938 to 1,129,269 in 2005. Concurrent with this growth, a transport blueprint, developed with American assistance, was presented in 1968: the Metropolitan Adelaide Transport StudyThe Metropolitan Adelaide Transport Study, or "MATS Plan" as it became known, was a comprehensive transport plan released in 1968 examining the then-current and future needs of transport for the city of Adelaide....
(MATS). The plan envisaged a large network of freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
s crossing the metropolitan area, together with an underground city loop railwayThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. One of the freeways to be constructed was the Modbury Freeway, connecting a city bypass route with the then predominantly barren and undeveloped north-eastern suburbs. The freeway was to be built in a linear parkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
alongside the River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
.
The size of the MATS plan resulted in considerable public opposition; several suburbs were to completely disappear under interchangesIn the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
, with HindmarshHindmarsh is a suburb of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and located within the City of Charles Sturt. The suburb is named after South Australia's first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh...
to be removed to make way for a multi-entry interchange. Widespread images of gridlockTraffic congestion is a condition on networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles...
in similar overseas freeway networks also contributed to this opposition. The plan was abandoned by successive governments, and much of the land held by the Highways Department was sold off for housing developments. However, the land for the Modbury Freeway was retained and later renamed from "Modbury Freeway Corridor" to "Modbury Transport Corridor". The Modbury corridor was left to degrade, eventually becoming landfillA landfill, also known as a dump , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
.
The population of the Tea Tree Gully regionThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
increased from 2,561 in 1954 to 91,921 in 2001, through new housing developments. In 1973, the State Director-General of Transport spoke about using the Modbury corridor for public transport to improve services in the area, initially suggesting a heavy rail line be constructed to connect with the railway systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Over the next four years, the Department conducted the North East Public Transport Review (NEAPTR), which considered heavy rail, light rail, busways and freeways as options for the corridor. The study concluded in 1978 that a light rail line or busway were most viable. The governing Australian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
, under Premier Don DunstanDonald Allan Dunstan, AC, QC was a South Australian politician. He entered politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953, became state Labor leader in 1967, and was Premier of South Australia between June 1967 and April 1968, and again between June 1970 and February 1979.A reformist, Dunstan brought...
, decided on a light railLight rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
proposal to extend the historic Glenelg tramThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
. The new route was to continue along King William StreetKing William Street is the part of a major arterial road that traverses the CBD and centre of Adelaide . It was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after King William IV, the monarch at the time,...
beyond the present terminus in Victoria SquareVictoria Square is a public square located in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The square forms the centre of the city's grid of one square mile. The square was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after Princess Victoria, heir presumptive of the British throne. Less than...
and weave through the Adelaide Park LandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
to the Modbury corridor.
The light rail system was to connect with feeder buses at stations along the length of the corridor to transfer passengers onto suburban routes. New light rail vehicles were to be bought to replace the ageing 1929 H-Class vehicles. However, public opposition to the project was broad; the Adelaide City CouncilThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
objected to the plan on the basis that it would interfere with the well-designed layout of the city proper. In response, the Government altered the plan to redirect the line underneath the city, significantly increasing the cost. Residents in inner-city suburbs such as St Peters were concerned about the noise of the light rail vehicles, and protested against any disruption of the Torrens Gorge, which lies in the Modbury corridor. The LiberalThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
MP for TorrensTorrens is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. Located along the River Torrens, and named after Robert Richard Torrens, a 19th century Premier of South Australia, and also the founder of the "Torrens title" land registration system. Torrens is...
, Michael WilsonMichael Wilson is a former South Australian politician and MP in the House of Assembly from 1977 to 1985, representing the Electoral district of Torrens. He oversaw the construction of the Adelaide O-Bahn Busway whilst in office as Transport Minister....
, representing the north-eastern suburbs, vocally opposed the project on behalf of his constituents.
Drilling commenced on the tunnel, but the resignation in 1979 of popular Premier Dunstan weakened the Government, along with widespread bus strikes and public dissatisfaction with the light rail project. In elections held that year, the Liberal Party gained government with a swing of 11% in their favour. Wilson became Transport Minister in the new cabinetA Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or Executive Committee.- Overview :...
and construction of the light rail project was halted immediately.
In search of a replacement for the light rail project, the new Government sent experts to examine an innovative guided bus system being developed in West GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
by Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
for use in tram tunnels in EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
. After extensive consultations with German authorities, State Transport Department engineers decided the O-Bahn could be used. The system was seen as far superior to previous proposals; it used less land, made less noise, was faster and cost less. In addition, its unique feature of a non-transfer service direct from suburban streets to the city centre made it more attractive. Plans were drawn up for a length of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi): initially only three kilometres (1.8 mi) were to be constructed as O-Bahn, with the rest being conventional busway. However, safety concerns and public opposition led to O-Bahn being used for the entire length. Construction began in 1983 for the first section to Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
. In 1982 the TonkinDr David Oliver Tonkin AO was the 38th Premier of South Australia, serving from 18 September 1979 to 10 November 1982.-Early life:...
Liberal Government that oversaw the O-Bahn's development lost office and was succeeded by the BannonJohn Charles Bannon AO was the Labor Premier of South Australia between 10 November 1982 and 4 September 1992.-Early Life:Bannon was born in Bendigo, Victoria and completed degrees in Arts and Law at the University of Adelaide. While at university, he was co-editor of the student newspaper On Dit...
-led Labor Party resulting in uncertainty over the future of the project. The Bannon Government, after consultations, decided to continue with Stage 1 (City to Paradise) and in 1986 proceeded with Stage 2 (Paradise to Tea Tree Plaza). The cost of the project totalled $The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
98 million, including the buses.
The O-Bahn had more than 4 million passenger trips in the year after completion of Stage 1 in 1986, with a 30% increase the following year. When the O-Bahn was completed in 1989, passenger numbers rose another 17%. The Adelaide public transport system was privatised in the 1990s and overall patronage across all systems (bus, rail and tram) dropped 25%. The exception to this was the O-Bahn with no decrease, and there were 19,500 passenger trips daily in 1996 (7.13 million a year). Currently there are 22,000 passenger trips daily (8 million a year).
There have been a number of proposals to extend the O-Bahn to Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
and to the southern suburbsThe City of Onkaparinga is a local government area located on the southern fringe of Adelaide, South Australia. The name Onkaparinga comes from Ngangkiparinga, a Kaurna word meaning "The Women's River"...
. An extension to Golden Grove would require the acquisition of extensive tracts of private property, in the absence of an available corridor. Population increase in the area is negligible, although sprawl continues from Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
for another eight kilometres to the Adelaide HillsThe Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 9,000 people and which is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.-...
. The current route was built with an allowance for a station at Grand Junction RoadGrand Junction Road is the longest east-west thoroughfare in the Adelaide metropolitan area, and is located approximately 9 kilometres north of the city centre. Travelling from the Port Adelaide region, it is mostly a double lane sealed road running 21 kilometres to the base of the Adelaide Hills...
but it has not been built.
The southern O-Bahn proposal has attracted the most attention and has been the subject of various studies and Parliamentary Committees as to its viability since 1996. The rail route through Adelaide's far south is off-centre, without the large catchment area of a more central transport route. An O-Bahn running direct through the region would be able to take advantage of an already large population and the continuing growth in the area. The most suggested route for an O-Bahn has been for an alignment adjacent to the Noarlunga rail lineThe Noarlunga Centre railway line is a suburban commuter line in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:Before the extension of the line to Noarlunga Centre line in 1978, a line ran from Hallett Cove station on a different route through Reynella, Morphett Vale and Hackham to Willunga...
from the city to the Tonsley branch lineTonsley Railway Line is a rail route in Adelaide, South Australia, that stems off the Noarlunga Centre railway line to end in Mitchell Park opposite Science Park and close to the Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre. There have been many proposals to extend the line so that it ends...
. The O-Bahn would end there, with buses continuing on an upgraded (dual-carriageway) Southern ExpresswayThe Southern Expressway is the world's longest reversible one way freeway. Originally proposed as 'Noarlunga Freeway', it was built as a corridor to relieve heavy traffic from the major arterial, Main South Road in Adelaide's south. The expressway was built in two stages — the first...
through the far south. Construction of this O-Bahn would require moving the railway track slightly to fit the O-Bahn alongside. In addition, Emerson CrossingEmerson Crossing, the 'South Road Overpass' or simply 'the Overpass' are the informal names given to the intersection of South Road, Cross Road and the Noarlunga railway line in Adelaide, South Australia. South Road crosses north-south over both Cross Road and the diagonal railway via a large...
and the tram overpassThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
would require huge alteration. The estimated cost of construction, AU$182 million, was considered too expensive, and the proposal was suspended in 2001. The current Labor GovernmentThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
has focused on road upgradesSouth Road is a major north–south conduit in Adelaide, South Australia. Also known as Main South Road, it is Adelaide's most important arterial road.- Route :...
and an inner-city light rail extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The purchase of 160 buses at a cost of $120 million is to take place over the five years from 2007 to 2012 to replace buses used on the O-Bahn and inner city routes, where the fleet is near its 25-year age limit. With the contract expected to be finalised by June 2007, the first buses are planned to be delivered in 2008. Being replaced are the current $90 million contract for 170 buses won by ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
with Custom Coaches from 2001 over five years. With the new contract, AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
expects to be at 89% disabilityDisability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities."...
accessible by 2013 and fully accessible by 2022, and all buses will be air-conditioned by 2013. There are also plans to upgrade the O-Bahn track and interchanges with a new state of the art ticketing system. It is planned that weekday travel by public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
will double by 2018.
Track
The O-Bahn track is made of concreteConcrete is a construction material composed of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water, and chemical admixtures...
; it is elevated above ground because of the poor quality of soils along the River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, which frequently move due to seismic shifts. Large concrete pylons were drilled into the ground to ensure stability, to a depth of up to four metres. On top of the pylons are concrete sleeperA concrete sleeper is a railroad tie made out of steel reinforced concrete.- History :Concrete sleepers were first made in Germany in 1906 for use between Nurenburg and Bamberg. - Types :...
s on which the track runs. 5,600 pylons were drilled in place to support 5,600 sleepers and 4,200 prefabricated L-shaped track pieces, sited at 12-metre (40-ft) intervals. The width of both tracks, sitting on the sleepers, is 6.2 metres (20 ft).
At the city end, the O-Bahn begins at Hackney Road, opposite the East ParklandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
, where it enters a 60-metre (200-ft) tunnel at a speed limited to 40 km/h (25 mph), due to the tight initial corner, ensuring that the rear tyres (especially trailer tyres of articulated buses) do not 'scrub' against the track. Speed is gradually increased to 80 km/h (50 mph) for most of the trip to Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
. Once en route to Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
, the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), with 90 km/h (56 mph) on tighter corners. The limit on the remaining section to Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
varies between 100 km/h (62 mph), 90 km/h (56 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph). The average speed including stops is about 60 km/h (37 mph). On some sections 115 km/h (70 mph) has been easily achieved in tests. On entering interchanges the O-Bahn ends and the speed limit is 40 km/h (24 mph). In the interchange area, the speed limit is 20 km/h (12 mph). The O-Bahn is officially considered a road, due to a court ruling in the early years of the system's operation. This ruling permits the South Australia PoliceThe South Australia Police is the police force of the Australian state of South Australia. It is an agency of the Government of South Australia within the South Australian Department of Justice....
to install speed cameras and fine speeding drivers.
Cars entering the O-Bahn are deterred by a large number of signs at entrance points and a "sump busterA sump buster is a device used in urban areas to restrict traffic access on various routes. Similar to rising bollards, sump busters are often used in bus lanes to prohibit their use by cars....
" device that rips out a car's sumpA sump is a low space that collects any often-undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals. A sump can also be an infiltration basin used to manage surface runoff water and recharge underground aquifers....
(oil pan) if it gets onto the track. An average of four cars per year enter the O-Bahn and must be removed by crane.
Buses
The first buses to enter service on the O-Bahn were specially modified Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG , after previously being owned by Daimler-Benz...
O305 modelsMercedes-Benz O305 is a rear-engined bus model built in West Germany between 1967 and 1987. The O305 was built as a successor of the O317 and was the Mercedes-Benz adaptation of the first so called "Standard-Linienbus" design, that was produced by many different German bus manufacturers. The...
. A fleet comprising 41 rigid and 51 articulatedArticulated buses , are articulated single-decker buses comprising two rigid parts linked together by a pivoting joint. This arrangement allows a longer legal length and thus a higher passenger capacity than rigid single decker buses, while still allowing the bus to be turned within the limitations...
buses was purchased, their cost included in the original $98 million budget. The chassis were bought from Germany and heavily modified at the Mitsubishi Motorsis the fifth largest automaker in Japan and the fifteenth largest in the world by global unit sales. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Throughout its history it...
plant in Clovelly ParkClovelly Park is an inner southern suburb of Adelaide in the local government area of the City of Marion. Before becoming an 'advanced' suburb, it was a farm and vineyard. It has a population of around 2,700. The borders are defined by Daws Road to the north, South Road to the east, Sturt Road to...
. The rigid buses had their power increased to 240 hp (177 kW) and the articulateds to 280 hp (207 kW); they were the first buses to travel at a speed of 100 km/h on suburban routes. Modified ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
and MAN buses were later introduced. All buses have ABSAn anti-lock braking system, or ABS is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a motor vehicle from locking up while braking....
brakes and are able to stop within two bus lengths.
In the case of breakdowns, a specially designed vehicle nicknamed 'Dumbo' is used to tow buses from the O-Bahn. In the early stages of design it was intended that all buses would have towing ability; however, this was soundly rejected by the drivers' union and 'Dumbo' was purchased. If a bus tyreA tire is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
blows during a trip the guide-wheel prevents the bus from erratic movement, and a smaller aluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white and ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al; its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
inner tyre allows the bus to be driven to the nearest station at 40 km/h (24 mph).
The guide-wheel, which protrudes from the front sides and aligns with the track, is the most important part of the bus when travelling on the O-Bahn. Connected directly to the steering mechanism, it 'steers' the bus while on the track and prevents the main tyres from rubbing against the sides of the track. While it is not strictly necessary for drivers to hold the steering wheelA steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
when travelling on the O-Bahn because of the guide-wheel, safety procedures require the driver to be alert to their circumstances at all times. A rumble stripRumble strips are a road safety feature that alert drivers to potential danger by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling, transmitted through the wheels into the car body...
before stations is a reminder that they need to resume control. The guide-wheel is the most delicate part of the system and is designed to snap off upon sharp impact; before the O-Bahn was in place, a number of buses were fitted with guide-wheels for their ordinary routes to test their durability. Drivers were forced to be more cautious on their normal trips after numerous guide-wheel-to-kerb impacts.
Interchanges
Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
is the first station, three kilometres (1.8 mi) from the city centre in the suburb of KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
, PaynehamThe City of Norwood Payneham & St. Peters is a metropolitan Local Government Area of South Australia. It covers the inner eastern suburbs of Adelaide.-Suburbs:- External links :**...
. It was built as a connector to the city loop 'Circle Line' bus service, which follows the Adelaide outer ring route, not as a bus interchange. Many bus services bypass Klemzig and the station has limited capacity. It contains a "Park 'n' Ride" carpark with 165 parks that is currently being expanded.
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
is the second station, six kilometres (3.7 mi) from the city centre, in ParadiseParadise is a northeastern suburb of Adelaide in South Australia. It is bounded on the north side by the River Torrens. Amongst its neighboring suburbs are Highbury, Dernancourt, Athelstone, Newton and Campbelltown....
, Campbelltown. The terminus before the completion of Stage 2, it is now served by buses from suburban streets, and has 625 carparks.
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
is the terminus, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city centre, in ModburyModbury is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Tea Tree Gully. Modbury is located at the end of the Adelaide O-Bahn and is home to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping complex. There is also a hospital in Modbury. It was named Modbury by R...
, Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Adjacent to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre, it is the largest O-Bahn station. Bus services from this interchange connect to areas as far away as ElizabethElizabeth is a suburb in the northern extent of Adelaide, South Australia. It was established in 1955 as a master planned satellite town by the South Australian Housing Trust on of rural land between the older towns of Salisbury and Smithfield...
and service the Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
area. It has 500 carparking spaces.
Ticketing
The O-Bahn uses the standard Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
ticketing system. Single-trip adult tickets are subsidised by $The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2.90 by the South Australian GovernmentThe form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
, compared with the $8.80 subsidy for a journey on the rail systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Tickets are sold at interchanges and on buses. There are different fares for students and concession-card holders and at off-peak times.
A standard peak ticket costs $4.40 and an off-peak single-trip ticket costs $2.70 and is valid for two hours. Unlimited day tickets ($8.40) and 10-use multi-trip tickets ($29.00) are available. Single-trip concession tickets are $2.20 peak and $1.20 off peak. Tickets can be used across all Adelaide Metro services, including tramsThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
and trainsThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
; they require validation upon entry to a vehicle. Failure to produce a ticket incurs a $210.00 fine.
Environment
The construction of the O-Bahn, rather than the previously touted Modbury Freeway, was motivated by a desire to reduce car dependency. $6 million was used for the redevelopment of the Torrens GorgeThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, in which the Torrens Linear ParkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
was created. About 150,000 trees, plants and shrubs were planted alongside the track for aesthetic, environmental and noise-reduction purposes; planting was completed in 1997. Arising from environmental considerations, the O-Bahn is carbon-neutralA carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases...
.
The original buses ran on diesel fuel, but the system allows for buses that run on alternative energy sources. Biodiesel fuel was trialled between July 2005 and May 2006. Buses using natural gasNatural gas is a gas consisting primarily of methane. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is created by methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills...
have been trialled, although they have not seen regular usage due to a perceived lack of power, especially on the section of the down track immediately after Paradise Interchange where the track rises sharply. The design of the O-Bahn provides for the installation of overhead wiresOverhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
for trolleybusA trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles...
es.
Route
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Klemzig Station Klemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
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Tea Tree Plaza Interchange Tea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
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{{featured article}}
The AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
O-Bahn Busway in the South AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories....
n capital city is the world's longest and fastest guided busGuided buses are buses steered for part or all of their route by external means, usually on a dedicated track. This track, which often parallels existing roads, excludes all other traffic, permitting the maintenance of reliable schedules on heavily used corridors even during rush hours.Guidance...
way. The O-Bahn — from the LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
omnibus ("for all people") and the German bahn ("way" or "road") — was conceived by Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
to enable buses to avoid traffic congestion by sharing tramA tram, tramcar, trolley, trolleycar, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a conventional train, designed for the transport of passengers within, close to, or between villages, towns and/or cities, on tracks running primarily on streets...
tunnels in the German city of EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
.
The route was introduced in 1986 to service Adelaide's rapidly expanding northeastern suburbsThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
, replacing an earlier plan for a tramway extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The O-bahn design is unique among public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
systems; busways typically use dedicated bus lanes or separate carriageways, but the O-Bahn runs on specially-built track, combining elements of both bus and rail systems. Adelaide's track is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long and includes one station and two interchanges: Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
in KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
, Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
in Campbelltown and Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
in Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Interchanges allow buses to enter and exit the busway and to continue on suburban routes, avoiding the need for passengers to change. Buses travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and the busway is capable of carrying 18,000 passengers an hour, from the Central Business DistrictThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
to Tea Tree Plaza in 15 minutes. Services are operated by Torrens TransitTorrens Transit is a privately-owned public transport company which operates a bus service in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is part of Transit Systems Australia, which also operates Swan Transit....
under contract from Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
, an agency of the South Australian Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.
As announced in the 2009 Australian federal budget, bus routes serving the O-Bahn will be extended from Hackney Road along Grenfell and Currie streets to West Terrace on the far side of the CBDCBD is a common abbreviation for a central business district. It may also refer to:* Brazilian Sport Confederation, from 1919 to 1979 predecessor of CBF, the national governing body for football in Brazil...
along dedicated bus lanes.
History
Adelaide has had significant population growth since the industrial expansion following World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, with the population having tripled from 321,400 in 1938 to 1,129,269 in 2005. Concurrent with this growth, a transport blueprint, developed with American assistance, was presented in 1968: the Metropolitan Adelaide Transport StudyThe Metropolitan Adelaide Transport Study, or "MATS Plan" as it became known, was a comprehensive transport plan released in 1968 examining the then-current and future needs of transport for the city of Adelaide....
(MATS). The plan envisaged a large network of freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
s crossing the metropolitan area, together with an underground city loop railwayThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. One of the freeways to be constructed was the Modbury Freeway, connecting a city bypass route with the then predominantly barren and undeveloped north-eastern suburbs. The freeway was to be built in a linear parkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
alongside the River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
.
The size of the MATS plan resulted in considerable public opposition; several suburbs were to completely disappear under interchangesIn the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
, with HindmarshHindmarsh is a suburb of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and located within the City of Charles Sturt. The suburb is named after South Australia's first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh...
to be removed to make way for a multi-entry interchange. Widespread images of gridlockTraffic congestion is a condition on networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles...
in similar overseas freeway networks also contributed to this opposition. The plan was abandoned by successive governments, and much of the land held by the Highways Department was sold off for housing developments. However, the land for the Modbury Freeway was retained and later renamed from "Modbury Freeway Corridor" to "Modbury Transport Corridor". The Modbury corridor was left to degrade, eventually becoming landfillA landfill, also known as a dump , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
.
The population of the Tea Tree Gully regionThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
increased from 2,561 in 1954 to 91,921 in 2001, through new housing developments. In 1973, the State Director-General of Transport spoke about using the Modbury corridor for public transport to improve services in the area, initially suggesting a heavy rail line be constructed to connect with the railway systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Over the next four years, the Department conducted the North East Public Transport Review (NEAPTR), which considered heavy rail, light rail, busways and freeways as options for the corridor. The study concluded in 1978 that a light rail line or busway were most viable. The governing Australian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
, under Premier Don DunstanDonald Allan Dunstan, AC, QC was a South Australian politician. He entered politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953, became state Labor leader in 1967, and was Premier of South Australia between June 1967 and April 1968, and again between June 1970 and February 1979.A reformist, Dunstan brought...
, decided on a light railLight rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
proposal to extend the historic Glenelg tramThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
. The new route was to continue along King William StreetKing William Street is the part of a major arterial road that traverses the CBD and centre of Adelaide . It was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after King William IV, the monarch at the time,...
beyond the present terminus in Victoria SquareVictoria Square is a public square located in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The square forms the centre of the city's grid of one square mile. The square was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after Princess Victoria, heir presumptive of the British throne. Less than...
and weave through the Adelaide Park LandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
to the Modbury corridor.
The light rail system was to connect with feeder buses at stations along the length of the corridor to transfer passengers onto suburban routes. New light rail vehicles were to be bought to replace the ageing 1929 H-Class vehicles. However, public opposition to the project was broad; the Adelaide City CouncilThe City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement. Established in 1840, the Adelaide City Council is the oldest municipal authority in Australia. At its time of establishment, Adelaide's ...
objected to the plan on the basis that it would interfere with the well-designed layout of the city proper. In response, the Government altered the plan to redirect the line underneath the city, significantly increasing the cost. Residents in inner-city suburbs such as St Peters were concerned about the noise of the light rail vehicles, and protested against any disruption of the Torrens Gorge, which lies in the Modbury corridor. The LiberalThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
MP for TorrensTorrens is an electoral district of the House of Assembly in the Australian state of South Australia. Located along the River Torrens, and named after Robert Richard Torrens, a 19th century Premier of South Australia, and also the founder of the "Torrens title" land registration system. Torrens is...
, Michael WilsonMichael Wilson is a former South Australian politician and MP in the House of Assembly from 1977 to 1985, representing the Electoral district of Torrens. He oversaw the construction of the Adelaide O-Bahn Busway whilst in office as Transport Minister....
, representing the north-eastern suburbs, vocally opposed the project on behalf of his constituents.
Drilling commenced on the tunnel, but the resignation in 1979 of popular Premier Dunstan weakened the Government, along with widespread bus strikes and public dissatisfaction with the light rail project. In elections held that year, the Liberal Party gained government with a swing of 11% in their favour. Wilson became Transport Minister in the new cabinetA Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or Executive Committee.- Overview :...
and construction of the light rail project was halted immediately.
In search of a replacement for the light rail project, the new Government sent experts to examine an innovative guided bus system being developed in West GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
by Daimler-BenzDaimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines which was founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest—which was valid until year 2000—was signed on May 1 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had been founded by...
for use in tram tunnels in EssenEssen is a city in the central part of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, its population of approximately 579,000 makes it either the 7th- or 8th-largest-city in Germany...
. After extensive consultations with German authorities, State Transport Department engineers decided the O-Bahn could be used. The system was seen as far superior to previous proposals; it used less land, made less noise, was faster and cost less. In addition, its unique feature of a non-transfer service direct from suburban streets to the city centre made it more attractive. Plans were drawn up for a length of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi): initially only three kilometres (1.8 mi) were to be constructed as O-Bahn, with the rest being conventional busway. However, safety concerns and public opposition led to O-Bahn being used for the entire length. Construction began in 1983 for the first section to Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
. In 1982 the TonkinDr David Oliver Tonkin AO was the 38th Premier of South Australia, serving from 18 September 1979 to 10 November 1982.-Early life:...
Liberal Government that oversaw the O-Bahn's development lost office and was succeeded by the BannonJohn Charles Bannon AO was the Labor Premier of South Australia between 10 November 1982 and 4 September 1992.-Early Life:Bannon was born in Bendigo, Victoria and completed degrees in Arts and Law at the University of Adelaide. While at university, he was co-editor of the student newspaper On Dit...
-led Labor Party resulting in uncertainty over the future of the project. The Bannon Government, after consultations, decided to continue with Stage 1 (City to Paradise) and in 1986 proceeded with Stage 2 (Paradise to Tea Tree Plaza). The cost of the project totalled $The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
98 million, including the buses.
The O-Bahn had more than 4 million passenger trips in the year after completion of Stage 1 in 1986, with a 30% increase the following year. When the O-Bahn was completed in 1989, passenger numbers rose another 17%. The Adelaide public transport system was privatised in the 1990s and overall patronage across all systems (bus, rail and tram) dropped 25%. The exception to this was the O-Bahn with no decrease, and there were 19,500 passenger trips daily in 1996 (7.13 million a year). Currently there are 22,000 passenger trips daily (8 million a year).
There have been a number of proposals to extend the O-Bahn to Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
and to the southern suburbsThe City of Onkaparinga is a local government area located on the southern fringe of Adelaide, South Australia. The name Onkaparinga comes from Ngangkiparinga, a Kaurna word meaning "The Women's River"...
. An extension to Golden Grove would require the acquisition of extensive tracts of private property, in the absence of an available corridor. Population increase in the area is negligible, although sprawl continues from Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
for another eight kilometres to the Adelaide HillsThe Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 9,000 people and which is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.-...
. The current route was built with an allowance for a station at Grand Junction RoadGrand Junction Road is the longest east-west thoroughfare in the Adelaide metropolitan area, and is located approximately 9 kilometres north of the city centre. Travelling from the Port Adelaide region, it is mostly a double lane sealed road running 21 kilometres to the base of the Adelaide Hills...
but it has not been built.
The southern O-Bahn proposal has attracted the most attention and has been the subject of various studies and Parliamentary Committees as to its viability since 1996. The rail route through Adelaide's far south is off-centre, without the large catchment area of a more central transport route. An O-Bahn running direct through the region would be able to take advantage of an already large population and the continuing growth in the area. The most suggested route for an O-Bahn has been for an alignment adjacent to the Noarlunga rail lineThe Noarlunga Centre railway line is a suburban commuter line in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:Before the extension of the line to Noarlunga Centre line in 1978, a line ran from Hallett Cove station on a different route through Reynella, Morphett Vale and Hackham to Willunga...
from the city to the Tonsley branch lineTonsley Railway Line is a rail route in Adelaide, South Australia, that stems off the Noarlunga Centre railway line to end in Mitchell Park opposite Science Park and close to the Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre. There have been many proposals to extend the line so that it ends...
. The O-Bahn would end there, with buses continuing on an upgraded (dual-carriageway) Southern ExpresswayThe Southern Expressway is the world's longest reversible one way freeway. Originally proposed as 'Noarlunga Freeway', it was built as a corridor to relieve heavy traffic from the major arterial, Main South Road in Adelaide's south. The expressway was built in two stages — the first...
through the far south. Construction of this O-Bahn would require moving the railway track slightly to fit the O-Bahn alongside. In addition, Emerson CrossingEmerson Crossing, the 'South Road Overpass' or simply 'the Overpass' are the informal names given to the intersection of South Road, Cross Road and the Noarlunga railway line in Adelaide, South Australia. South Road crosses north-south over both Cross Road and the diagonal railway via a large...
and the tram overpassThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
would require huge alteration. The estimated cost of construction, AU$182 million, was considered too expensive, and the proposal was suspended in 2001. The current Labor GovernmentThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
has focused on road upgradesSouth Road is a major north–south conduit in Adelaide, South Australia. Also known as Main South Road, it is Adelaide's most important arterial road.- Route :...
and an inner-city light rail extensionThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
.
The purchase of 160 buses at a cost of $120 million is to take place over the five years from 2007 to 2012 to replace buses used on the O-Bahn and inner city routes, where the fleet is near its 25-year age limit. With the contract expected to be finalised by June 2007, the first buses are planned to be delivered in 2008. Being replaced are the current $90 million contract for 170 buses won by ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
with Custom Coaches from 2001 over five years. With the new contract, AdelaideAdelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth-largest city in Australia, with a population of more than 1.1 million. It is a coastal city situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St. Vincent, on the Adelaide Plains, north of the Fleurieu...
expects to be at 89% disabilityDisability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities."...
accessible by 2013 and fully accessible by 2022, and all buses will be air-conditioned by 2013. There are also plans to upgrade the O-Bahn track and interchanges with a new state of the art ticketing system. It is planned that weekday travel by public transportPublic transport comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire.Public transport services are usually funded by fares charged to each passenger, with varying levels of subsidy...
will double by 2018.
Track
The O-Bahn track is made of concreteConcrete is a construction material composed of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water, and chemical admixtures...
; it is elevated above ground because of the poor quality of soils along the River TorrensThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, which frequently move due to seismic shifts. Large concrete pylons were drilled into the ground to ensure stability, to a depth of up to four metres. On top of the pylons are concrete sleeperA concrete sleeper is a railroad tie made out of steel reinforced concrete.- History :Concrete sleepers were first made in Germany in 1906 for use between Nurenburg and Bamberg. - Types :...
s on which the track runs. 5,600 pylons were drilled in place to support 5,600 sleepers and 4,200 prefabricated L-shaped track pieces, sited at 12-metre (40-ft) intervals. The width of both tracks, sitting on the sleepers, is 6.2 metres (20 ft).
At the city end, the O-Bahn begins at Hackney Road, opposite the East ParklandsThe Adelaide Park Lands are the parklands that surround the city-centre of South Australian capital of Adelaide. Extending over approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city, the parklands are almost three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan.The parklands were...
, where it enters a 60-metre (200-ft) tunnel at a speed limited to 40 km/h (25 mph), due to the tight initial corner, ensuring that the rear tyres (especially trailer tyres of articulated buses) do not 'scrub' against the track. Speed is gradually increased to 80 km/h (50 mph) for most of the trip to Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
. Once en route to Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
, the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), with 90 km/h (56 mph) on tighter corners. The limit on the remaining section to Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
varies between 100 km/h (62 mph), 90 km/h (56 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph). The average speed including stops is about 60 km/h (37 mph). On some sections 115 km/h (70 mph) has been easily achieved in tests. On entering interchanges the O-Bahn ends and the speed limit is 40 km/h (24 mph). In the interchange area, the speed limit is 20 km/h (12 mph). The O-Bahn is officially considered a road, due to a court ruling in the early years of the system's operation. This ruling permits the South Australia PoliceThe South Australia Police is the police force of the Australian state of South Australia. It is an agency of the Government of South Australia within the South Australian Department of Justice....
to install speed cameras and fine speeding drivers.
Cars entering the O-Bahn are deterred by a large number of signs at entrance points and a "sump busterA sump buster is a device used in urban areas to restrict traffic access on various routes. Similar to rising bollards, sump busters are often used in bus lanes to prohibit their use by cars....
" device that rips out a car's sumpA sump is a low space that collects any often-undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals. A sump can also be an infiltration basin used to manage surface runoff water and recharge underground aquifers....
(oil pan) if it gets onto the track. An average of four cars per year enter the O-Bahn and must be removed by crane.
Buses
The first buses to enter service on the O-Bahn were specially modified Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG , after previously being owned by Daimler-Benz...
O305 modelsMercedes-Benz O305 is a rear-engined bus model built in West Germany between 1967 and 1987. The O305 was built as a successor of the O317 and was the Mercedes-Benz adaptation of the first so called "Standard-Linienbus" design, that was produced by many different German bus manufacturers. The...
. A fleet comprising 41 rigid and 51 articulatedArticulated buses , are articulated single-decker buses comprising two rigid parts linked together by a pivoting joint. This arrangement allows a longer legal length and thus a higher passenger capacity than rigid single decker buses, while still allowing the bus to be turned within the limitations...
buses was purchased, their cost included in the original $98 million budget. The chassis were bought from Germany and heavily modified at the Mitsubishi Motorsis the fifth largest automaker in Japan and the fifteenth largest in the world by global unit sales. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Throughout its history it...
plant in Clovelly ParkClovelly Park is an inner southern suburb of Adelaide in the local government area of the City of Marion. Before becoming an 'advanced' suburb, it was a farm and vineyard. It has a population of around 2,700. The borders are defined by Daws Road to the north, South Road to the east, Sturt Road to...
. The rigid buses had their power increased to 240 hp (177 kW) and the articulateds to 280 hp (207 kW); they were the first buses to travel at a speed of 100 km/h on suburban routes. Modified ScaniaScania Aktiebolag , commonly referred to as Scania AB, or just Scania, is a global automotive industry manufacturer of commercial vehicles - specifically heavy trucks , buses, and diesel engines for motive power of heavy vehicles, marine, and general industrial applications.Founded in 1891 in...
and MAN buses were later introduced. All buses have ABSAn anti-lock braking system, or ABS is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a motor vehicle from locking up while braking....
brakes and are able to stop within two bus lengths.
In the case of breakdowns, a specially designed vehicle nicknamed 'Dumbo' is used to tow buses from the O-Bahn. In the early stages of design it was intended that all buses would have towing ability; however, this was soundly rejected by the drivers' union and 'Dumbo' was purchased. If a bus tyreA tire is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
blows during a trip the guide-wheel prevents the bus from erratic movement, and a smaller aluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white and ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al; its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
inner tyre allows the bus to be driven to the nearest station at 40 km/h (24 mph).
The guide-wheel, which protrudes from the front sides and aligns with the track, is the most important part of the bus when travelling on the O-Bahn. Connected directly to the steering mechanism, it 'steers' the bus while on the track and prevents the main tyres from rubbing against the sides of the track. While it is not strictly necessary for drivers to hold the steering wheelA steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
when travelling on the O-Bahn because of the guide-wheel, safety procedures require the driver to be alert to their circumstances at all times. A rumble stripRumble strips are a road safety feature that alert drivers to potential danger by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling, transmitted through the wheels into the car body...
before stations is a reminder that they need to resume control. The guide-wheel is the most delicate part of the system and is designed to snap off upon sharp impact; before the O-Bahn was in place, a number of buses were fitted with guide-wheels for their ordinary routes to test their durability. Drivers were forced to be more cautious on their normal trips after numerous guide-wheel-to-kerb impacts.
Interchanges
Klemzig StationKlemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
is the first station, three kilometres (1.8 mi) from the city centre in the suburb of KlemzigKlemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
, PaynehamThe City of Norwood Payneham & St. Peters is a metropolitan Local Government Area of South Australia. It covers the inner eastern suburbs of Adelaide.-Suburbs:- External links :**...
. It was built as a connector to the city loop 'Circle Line' bus service, which follows the Adelaide outer ring route, not as a bus interchange. Many bus services bypass Klemzig and the station has limited capacity. It contains a "Park 'n' Ride" carpark with 165 parks that is currently being expanded.
Paradise InterchangeParadise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
is the second station, six kilometres (3.7 mi) from the city centre, in ParadiseParadise is a northeastern suburb of Adelaide in South Australia. It is bounded on the north side by the River Torrens. Amongst its neighboring suburbs are Highbury, Dernancourt, Athelstone, Newton and Campbelltown....
, Campbelltown. The terminus before the completion of Stage 2, it is now served by buses from suburban streets, and has 625 carparks.
Tea Tree Plaza InterchangeTea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
is the terminus, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city centre, in ModburyModbury is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Tea Tree Gully. Modbury is located at the end of the Adelaide O-Bahn and is home to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping complex. There is also a hospital in Modbury. It was named Modbury by R...
, Tea Tree GullyThe City of Tea Tree Gully is in the Australian state of South Australia, in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The city has a population of 95,102 people and is one of the most populous local government divisions in Adelaide...
. Adjacent to the Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre, it is the largest O-Bahn station. Bus services from this interchange connect to areas as far away as ElizabethElizabeth is a suburb in the northern extent of Adelaide, South Australia. It was established in 1955 as a master planned satellite town by the South Australian Housing Trust on of rural land between the older towns of Salisbury and Smithfield...
and service the Golden GroveGolden Grove is an outer north-eastern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and is within the City of Tea Tree Gully local government area. It is adjacent to Wynn Vale, Surrey Downs, Greenwith, Yatala Vale, Fairview Park, and Salisbury East.- History :...
area. It has 500 carparking spaces.
Ticketing
The O-Bahn uses the standard Adelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
ticketing system. Single-trip adult tickets are subsidised by $The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2.90 by the South Australian GovernmentThe form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
, compared with the $8.80 subsidy for a journey on the rail systemThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
. Tickets are sold at interchanges and on buses. There are different fares for students and concession-card holders and at off-peak times.
A standard peak ticket costs $4.40 and an off-peak single-trip ticket costs $2.70 and is valid for two hours. Unlimited day tickets ($8.40) and 10-use multi-trip tickets ($29.00) are available. Single-trip concession tickets are $2.20 peak and $1.20 off peak. Tickets can be used across all Adelaide Metro services, including tramsThe Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network. The service is free between...
and trainsThe rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by TransAdelaide, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by diesel...
; they require validation upon entry to a vehicle. Failure to produce a ticket incurs a $210.00 fine.
Environment
The construction of the O-Bahn, rather than the previously touted Modbury Freeway, was motivated by a desire to reduce car dependency. $6 million was used for the redevelopment of the Torrens GorgeThe River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the central business district...
, in which the Torrens Linear ParkThe Torrens Linear Park was completed in 1997 as the first of its kind developed in Australia where it is the largest hills-to-coast park. It began as a flood mitigation scheme along the River Torrens running from the Adelaide Hills to the sea...
was created. About 150,000 trees, plants and shrubs were planted alongside the track for aesthetic, environmental and noise-reduction purposes; planting was completed in 1997. Arising from environmental considerations, the O-Bahn is carbon-neutralA carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases...
.
The original buses ran on diesel fuel, but the system allows for buses that run on alternative energy sources. Biodiesel fuel was trialled between July 2005 and May 2006. Buses using natural gasNatural gas is a gas consisting primarily of methane. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is created by methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills...
have been trialled, although they have not seen regular usage due to a perceived lack of power, especially on the section of the down track immediately after Paradise Interchange where the track rises sharply. The design of the O-Bahn provides for the installation of overhead wiresOverhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
for trolleybusA trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles...
es.
Route
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OG Road}}
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Klemzig Station Klemzig Station is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first stop when departing from the Adelaide CBD. The next stop is Paradise Interchange....
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Church Road}}
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Paradise Interchange Paradise Interchange is an interchange of the O-Bahn Busway, belonging to the Adelaide Metro. This interchange is situated mid-way between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Klemzig Station in Paradise, South Australia....
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Darley Road}}
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Parsons Road}}
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Lyons Road}}
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Dry Creek}}
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Smart Road}}
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Tea Tree Plaza Interchange Tea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
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External links
- Adelaide's Freeways - A History from MATS to the Port River Expressway, Ozroads
- The Adelaide O-Bahn, Adelaide Metro
- Adelaide O-Bahn (Northeast) Busway, Australian Towns, Cities & Highways
- Government of South Australia, Legislative Council Hansard, 15 October 1996 (Southern O-Bahn debate)
- Government of South Australia, Legislative Council Hansard, 11 April 2000 (Southern O-Bahn debate)
- Government of South Australia, Legislative Council Hansard, 3 May 2006 (Mark Parnell
Mark Parnell is an Australian politician and the first SA Greens representative in the South Australian Legislative Council, having won a seat in the 2006 state election. His term will expire in March 2014...
on MATSThe Metropolitan Adelaide Transport Study, or "MATS Plan" as it became known, was a comprehensive transport plan released in 1968 examining the then-current and future needs of transport for the city of Adelaide....
)
- Kerb Guided Buses, Citytransport.info website.
- North-East Facts, northeast.net.au
- On the O-Bahn with Keith Conlon, Postcards
- Paradise Interchange, Adelaide Metro
- Tea Tree Plaza Interchange, Adelaide Metro
- Ticketing Information, Adelaide Metro
- Jet Bus Services, to and from Adelaide Airport via City and O-Bahn