Public transport in South Australia dates back to 1839. In 1856 the the first railway track in Australia was built between Port Elliott and the River Murray at Goolwa, carrying passengers and freight on horse drawn trams. Since then it has grown and developed into the comprehensive metropolitan bus, train and tram system that we have today. We've travelled a long way on public transport … here's a snapshot of what's happened and when!

A finding aid for historical records is available for research in the Public Reading room at State Records of South Australia.

Summary Guide to Trains, Trams and Railway operations in South Australia from 1847 - 1974.

Timeline

The first steam train ran between Adelaide and Port Adelaide, stopping at Bowden, Woodville and Alberton.

Gawler was linked to Adelaide as railway lines were extended to provide vital links between pastoral, agricultural and mineral centres throughout the State.

The Port Elliott to Goolwa railway line was extended to Victor Harbor.

The Government passed an Act, authorising the establishment of a horse-drawn Tram System. The first tram service ran in 1878 between Adelaide and Kensington.

A Steam Train Service was established to Aldgate to form part of Adelaide's link to Melbourne as a result of major works through the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The South Australian Railways became the sole railway operator in Adelaide

The Government passed an Act, authorising the establishment of the Municipal Tramways Trust (MTT), an enterprise run jointly by the South Australian Government and suburban councils.

The MTT began operating Adelaide's tramways. It progressed to also operate motor buses in 1925.

The rail line to Marino opened.

The Port Depot opened, followed by the City Depot in Angas Street, opening in 1923.

Small railcars were imported from the USA.

The foundation stone for the Adelaide Railway Station was laid. South Australian Railways operated Garford open top, double-decker buses from Adelaide Station to Moseley Square, Glenelg.

The MTT purchased and took over the operation of the Glenelg bus service.

The Glenelg railway was purchased by the MTT and subsequently closed. In December the same year, an electric tram service to Glenelg commenced.

The first Trolley Bus Service in Australia, called "The Green Goddess" was trialed from Payneham to Paradise.

The Port Adelaide Tram System was closed. Two years later, Adelaide's main trolley bus system was established from the City to Tusmore, and then extended through the Eastern Suburbs and to Port Adelaide.

The first installation of Boom Gates occurred at Ovingham.

The South Australian Government took responsibility for the MTT.

The first "Red Hen" diesel railcars were introduced.

The Port Adelaide Depot was reconstructed.

The main Electric Tram System in Adelaide was closed.

The City Tram Terminus transferred to the centre of Victoria Square.

Railcars replaced steam engines.

The St Agnes Depot was commissioned as a private bus depot.

Private bus companies were purchased by the MTT. A year later, the suburban rail system and the bus and tram services were amalgamated under the State Transport Act.

Morphettville Depot was opened, following two years later by the Lonsdale Depot.

Australian National Railways took responsibility for all country rail services within South Australia. This coincided with the State Transport Authority (STA) taking over responsibility for all metropolitan bus and rail services. The first air-conditioned railcars also entered service.

The first stage of the world-famous Adelaide O-Bahn opened with a 6-km section of track between the City and Paradise. The Glengowrie tram Depot opened and the City Depot in Angas Street closed.

The final stage of the 12-km Adelaide O-Bahn to Modbury was completed.

Hackney Depot operations were relocated to a new site at Mile End.

The STA Act was repealed and TransAdelaide was established as a Body Corporate under the Passenger Transport Act.

Competitive tendering for passenger transport services in Adelaide commenced with the contract offered by the Passenger Transport Board (PTB). Hills Transit, a 100% subsidiary of TransAdelaide, was formed as a public corporation and commenced operations on 24 September, combining the services of Mount Barker Passenger Service and TransAdelaide, Aldgate.

TransAdelaide won the right to operate bus services in the Outer South of Adelaide.

Negotiated contracts for the remaining contract areas commenced with TransAdelaide operating around 80% of all bus services, and all train and tram services.

Legislation was passed by Parliament to corporatise TransAdelaide.

TransAdelaide Board was appointed.

The Passenger Transport Board announced that TransAdelaide had not won any contracts to operate Metroticket Bus Services in its own right. It ceased to run bus services on April 22, with private bus operators commencing new contracts on April 23.

Transitplus, a joint venture between TransAdelaide and Australian Transit Enterprises (ATE) won the contract to operate Metroticket bus services in the Adelaide Hills.

Premier announced a $56 million upgrade for the Glenelg Tram Service. The upgrade included nine articulated air-conditioned rail vehicles. They featured low floor entry and provision for wheelchairs as well as being environmentally friendly with low noise and improved passenger information.

City to Glenelg tram line is closed for 9 weeks as a major track and infrastructure upgrade is completed.

New Flexity Trams entered passender service.

New tramline extension between Victoria Square and City West opened in October.