City of Adelaide Endorses Integrated Transport Strategy to Address CBD Congestion

The City of Adelaide endorsed its new Integrated Transport Strategy on 17 July 2025. The document replaces the Smart Move Transport and Movement Strategy 2012-2022 and adopts frameworks including Healthy Streets and the Safe System approach. It directly targets transport conditions in the central business district.

Adelaide CBD experiences the most significant congestion challenges, with key arterial roads vulnerable to peak-hour bottlenecks. Congestion costs are projected to rise from $1.44 billion in 2016 to $2.6 billion by 2031 without investment. The city records the highest car reliance among capital cities, with 69.5 percent of residents commuting by car and only 8.5-9 percent using public transport. Current public transport coverage requires inefficient transfers and long walking distances for many CBD users.

Local recommendations and network changes

A 2024 Select Committee on Public and Active Transport recommended that policies be reviewed to increase bus frequency, improve connectivity between suburbs, integrate transport modes, simplify fares, and enhance stop accessibility and safety. These recommendations inform the strategy’s focus on daily travel patterns for CBD workers and visitors.

Current planning includes redesigning the bus network around high-frequency corridors, extending Garema/Gawler rail electrification, developing the AdeLINK tram network, and implementing Super Stops within the CBD. These steps aim to reduce reliance on private vehicles for short trips inside the central area.

Next steps for implementation

The strategy sets out the direction for future network adjustments and infrastructure projects. Residents can expect continued work on corridor design and stop upgrades as planning moves forward. The City of Adelaide will apply the endorsed framework when assessing transport proposals affecting the CBD.