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Community Members Raise Points on Adelaide CBD Transport and Traffic
Residents note free travel options alongside rising congestion on key routes.
How we reported this
Adelaide CBD offers a free tram zone covering the entire city centre from South Terrace to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with no ticket required within this area. Free City Connector buses on Routes 98A and 98C loop daily around the CBD and North Adelaide, while Routes 99A and 99C run Monday to Friday only inside the CBD.
Free Transport Options in the City Centre
These services provide zero-cost movement across the defined zones for anyone using them. The tram coverage spans from the southern edge at South Terrace northward to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Daily bus loops extend into North Adelaide on the 98 routes, giving consistent access without payment on those paths.
Traffic Congestion Trends Affecting Daily Travel
Traffic congestion in Adelaide has increased since 2019, the only peer city to record this rise, linked to underinvestment in public transport and cycling infrastructure. North-south corridors such as Fullarton Road and Goodwood Road near the CBD rank among the most congested, with peak drivers spending around 60 percent of travel time in congested conditions.
Projected Costs and Location of Peak Impacts
Vehicle congestion cost in Adelaide is projected to reach $7.6 million per weekday by 2031, with the worst effects expected within 5km of the CBD. These patterns directly shape commute times and route choices for people moving through the area each day.
Community members point to the free tram and bus services as practical choices that avoid paid fares inside the zones. Using the established routes from South Terrace to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre or the 98A/98C loops can reduce reliance on the busiest road corridors like Fullarton Road and Goodwood Road. Checking current timetables through City of Adelaide channels supports decisions on daily travel within the free areas.