Busways will expand its operations to Adelaide's metropolitan network after appointment by the South Australian Government, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll announced today.

Busways is the only new entrant in the announcement of six successful proponents of new bus and tram service contracts. The eight-year contract with a two-year option will commence in July 2020 with Busways operating the existing bus network and timetables until their new network is introduced.

Busways’ Managing Director Byron Rowe said the company’s drive to deliver efficient customer-valued bus services that people want to use will be evident in the quality of the new bus network they will present to the community later this year.

"The South Australian government asked for a world class company to provide a better, efficient service that will grow bus patronage. They called for services that reflect a strong customer voice with high levels of customer satisfaction. By appointing Busways, the government has backed an Australian family-owned company with a culture focused on proactive customer and stakeholder engagement and the ability to design and deliver services at a standard of international best practice," Mr Rowe said.

With the first inter-state expansion for the company, Busways is Australia’s largest private bus operator. They will bring 77 years of experience designing and delivering bus services in partnership with the government to the Adelaide Metro bus network.

“We have designed an improved and simplified Outer South network that makes it easier to understand and plan journeys” said Mr. Rowe.

The great wins for customers will be a clearer route network with reduced route number variants and more consistent services across all days and time periods; strengthened key corridors with more direct trip connections and improvements to many services into major centres and railway stations; and improved connectivity through a scheduled pulsing of services.

Mr Rowe added Busways takes pride in presentation and maintenance standards, aspiring to deliver the organisation’s goal of customers feeling safe, welcome, comfortable and impressed every time they travel.

“We will invest in raising fleet standards to make buses more comfortable for passengers,” he added.

The news comes as Busways continues to excel in the New South Wales market where it manages metropolitan, regional and rural bus contracts for the New South Wales Government.

Mr Rowe said he is proud of the company’s track record, which boasts a consistent average overall customer satisfaction rating of more than 90% and on time running service KPI’s currently maintained at over 98%. In the last five years the company has grown bus patronage 36% across existing operating contracts, exceeding population growth by 150%.

“Following our transition into Sydney’s biggest metropolitan contract, Region 1 in Sydney’s west, we increased customer satisfaction by 19% in the seven years since transitioning in 2013.”

Right now, Busways is focused on a smooth transition of Outer South services in July.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to ensure a positive experience in July, leveraging our previous successful transitions to coordinate a process that is welcoming and easy for transitioning employees and delivers seamless service continuity for the community.”

Busways will extend a welcome to employees currently working in the Outer South network, as well as acquire two depots and 122 buses.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Outer South employees to Busways through the transition process. We prefer an open-door approach. It’s important for people to have access to information and face-to-face opportunities to chat and get to know us” Mr Rowe said.

Mr Rowe added that he is honoured to lead the company in its transformation into a multi-state operator and Australia’s largest private bus company with ambitions to keep growing.

“We are a passionate and energised team backed by a solid and respected track record. We’re looking at upcoming opportunities in the Sydney market and in other states where we’re confident we can bring value to Government and commuters” Mr Rowe said.

“We’re a unique Australian story. We started running one passenger service in the 1940s driven by the belief that people need great public transport. Almost eight decades later we’re still passionate and committed to providing a valued bus service that can be relied on.”

Any questions about Busways’ transition in the Outer South are welcome at infoline@busways.com.au.