Sarah Herrmann, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Amid a state government review of regional public transport, a Stansbury resident has shared her travel challenges following two surgeries in the past six months.

Cheryl Waldron, 68, said her ability to drive had been limited by a knee replacement in February and a more recent foot operation, which revealed just how few transport options were available to her.

Before her foot surgery, Mrs Waldron said she was given short notice to be at a preliminary appointment in Adelaide — non-attendance could have meant the operation would be cancelled.

She made the trip using Care In Motion’s health bus, a not-for-profit transport service.

“I caught it from Stansbury at 6.10 in the morning and got home at 6.30 at night,” she said.

“I shouldn’t complain and it was $14 which is a great price for the service — it drops you as close to the door as possible — but boy was that long.

“I’m 5 foot 9 and I had terrible trouble because I only had my knee done in February and I couldn’t get it behind the seat, so I had to sit with my leg out in the aisle.”

Mrs Waldron said she felt bad for people who had to face the tiring journey home on the bus after being discharged from hospital.

She said the bus service also required passengers’ appointment times to be no earlier than 11am and finished by 2.30pm.

“If you can’t get the right time, what do you do?” she said.

“I just refuse to drive until the sun comes up — I’m not going to hit a kangaroo for anyone.”

The Stansbury resident said she would also welcome a local bus service to help her attend GP appointments in Minlaton.

“I would love to see something back just locally, just to do a little bit of shopping,” she said.

“I’m not good at asking people for help.

I’m getting better at it, but I don’t see why I should have to get friends to come all the way from Edithburgh to drive me to Minlaton.”

Mrs Waldron said she knew of many in her area who were moving to Port Clinton to be closer to Adelaide.

Call to strengthen existing services

Care In Motion chief executive David McDonald recognised the “tyranny of distance” for transport-disadvantaged people.

“Geography is a real issue but I think we deal with it pretty well and I think we have to because health, hospitals and specialist services just aren’t as available in regions,” Mr McDonald said.

“As a result, people fall back on our operation to get them to those necessary appointments in Adelaide.”

Mr McDonald said many people wanted more frequent services, but funding was difficult to secure for a sparsely populated region like Yorke Peninsula.

“I think the government needs to provide sufficient funding for operators to help build awareness and visibility (of existing services),” he said.

“There’s got to be a degree of comfort, safety and quality of care of the services we provide.

“We’re always looking to improve and expand the service but being a not-for-profit we can only work with the funding we receive.”

For more information about transport services, visit adelaidemetro.com.au/plan-a-trip/regional-services/yorke-and-mid-north-transport-services.

Road to better regional public transport

The first government review of regional public transport in South Australia is underway, with face-to-face consultation held in Kadina last week.

The review is focused on identifying key needs and gaps in current services to ensure regional residents can access essential health, education, employment, and social or recreational destinations.

A report outlining recommended improvements to the regional public transport network is expected to be released in the final quarter of 2025.

For more information, visit dit.sa.gov.au/ about-us/strategies-plans/public-transportfuture. 

What they’ve said about it

“We’re not expecting a tram to pop up in the middle of the Yorke Valley, but we do want to see innovative approaches around trialling point-to-point transport options into service centres such as Kadina, Wallaroo and Maitland, as well as efforts to improve the frequency of scheduled services between centres and Adelaide.” — Daniel Willson, Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North chief executive.

“Without private vehicles, particularly the elderly, those with disabilities, and younger people, struggle to access services, appointments, local sport, education, and employment. The Copper Coast is forecast to experience significant growth over the next 10 years, and it won’t be long before new service routes, and an increase in frequency along the existing routes will need to be considered.” — Tim Neumann, Copper Coast Council infrastructure services director.

“Council recognises the vital role public transport plays in supporting community access, inclusion and regional growth, and looks forward to seeing outcomes that consider the unique challenges and needs of rural communities like ours.” — Richard Carruthers, Yorke Peninsula Council acting mayor.

Wakefield Regional Council and Barunga West Council were contacted for comment. 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 1 July 2025.