Adelaide

Transport

Being centrally located on the Australian mainland, Adelaide forms something of a strategic transport hub for east-west and north-south routes. The city itself has a comprehensive public transport system, which is managed by and known as the Adelaide Metro. The Adelaide Metro consists of an extensive contracted bus system including the unique Adelaide O-Bahn (a guided busway), metropolitan railways, and the historic Adelaide-Glenelg Tram.

Related Topics:
Public transport - Adelaide Metro - Adelaide O-Bahn - Guided busway - Glenelg Tram

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Road transport in Adelaide is comparatively easier than many of the other Australian cities, with a well-defined city layout and wide multiple-lane roads from the beginning of it's development. Historically, Adelaide has been known as a "twenty-minute city", with commuters being able to travel from metropolitan outskirts to the city proper in twenty minutes. In recent times, however, increased traffic has seen travel times increase, and congestion on main thoroughfares such as South Road is not uncommon. Adelaide is connected to Port Wakefield Road and the Sturt Highway in the north, and the South Eastern Freeway in the South East. The Southern Expresswayacts as a bypass for the often congested South Road.

Related Topics:
South Road - Port Wakefield Road - Sturt Highway - South Eastern Freeway - Southern Expressway

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The Adelaide O-Bahn is one of a few guided busways in the world. With large growth in the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide in the 1970's and 80's Adelaide was faced with a transport dilemma. The Adelaide O-Bahn was constructed in 1986 in response, after beating competing proposals of expanded rail and road networks (one of the competing proposals was to build an Adelaide underground, but proved to be cost-ineffective in comparison).

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Interstate bus routes to and from all the major Australian towns and cities connect to Adelaide. Its main terminus for intra- and inter-state coach-liners is the Franklin Street Coach Terminal at Franklin and Bowen Streets in the city-centre. Beginning in 2005, the terminal is to undergo a complete $25 million reconstruction, in conjunction with the much larger $375 million former Balfours-site redevelopment – the end-product being a new multi-storey bus-station and various residential and commercial towers. http://www.capcity.adelaide.sa.gov.au/html/program.html

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While Adelaide's rail-network does not suffer the chronic delays of its inter-state counterparts, it is comparatively under-developed; Adelaide is the only mainland capital with a non-electric network. Amid increasing criticism over the ailing and ever-dilapidated rail-system, the State Government is in the process of developing a State Transport Plan, expected to be released in late 2005. The plan will reportedly set out the framework for upgrading the public transport system. Conversely, Adelaide’s sole remaining tramway, from Victoria Square in the CBD to the historic beachside resort of Glenelg, is under-going AU$56 million upgrade in which new tram-cars will replace the historic H-type’s of 1929.

Related Topics:
Adelaide's rail-network - State Government - 2005 - Victoria Square - Glenelg - AU$ - 1929

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Adelaide is the midpoint of the Indian Pacific railway between Perth and Sydney, as well as the terminus of The Overland to Melbourne and The Ghan via Alice Springs to Darwin.

Related Topics:
Indian Pacific - Perth - Sydney - The Overland - Melbourne - The Ghan - Alice Springs - Darwin

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The Adelaide International Airport, located at West Beach, Australia's newest and most advanced airport terminal. The new dual international/domestic terminal replaces the old and ageing terminals, and incorporates new state-of-the-art features, such as glass aerobridges and the ability to cater for the new Airbus Superjumbo. It was officially opened in a ceremony in October 2005 by South Australian Governor Majorie Nelson-Jackson, Premier Mike Rann and Prime Minister John Howard. Main carriers include Qantas, Virgin Blue, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, National Jet Systems, Regional Express (REX), O'Connor Airlines and Airlines of South Australia.

Related Topics:
Adelaide International Airport - West Beach - Mike Rann - John Howard - Qantas - Virgin Blue - Malaysia Airlines - Singapore Airlines - Jetstar - National Jet Systems - Regional Express - O'Connor Airlines - Airlines of South Australia

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