Adelaide trams return to public operation

At 03.00 on 31 August the Government of South Australia took back the operation of the Adelaide tramway as the contract with Torrens Connect entered into by the previous government expired. 97% of the workers transferred to government employment. The previous government had pushed an outsourcing policy. Keolis Downer will continue to maintain the tram fleet and infrastructure until 2035. The state government will continue upgrades to the tramway network, in particular the current tram grade separation project that has seen bus replacement while work is carried out to eliminate level crossings. This is due for completion by early January. The government had already taken back operation of local rail services in February 2025. 

 

The Adelaide tramway is a 16.3km standard-gauge line linking the city with the seaside suburb of Glenelg, opened in 1929 as a re-gauging of a previous broad-gauge railway. It was extended across the city centre in 2018. there are 15 Bombardier Flexity Classic low-floor trams and nine ex-Madrid Alstom Citadis.