On public transport and live music
Today, readers comment on post-pandemic patronage and music festivals.
Commenting on the story: Public transport’s lingering COVID hangover
Maybe if they stopped changing the timetables and routes it might entice people back. The outer southern routes and timetable changes made recently are a joke. – Robyn Nash
The trip from my house (Norwood) to my parents house (Seacliff) takes over 1 hour and 10 mins and costs $4.40 each way. (that’s close to 2.5 hours and almost $9 round trip). These are two suburbs that supposably have good public transport connections.
I would love to jump on a bus/train and read a book, send emails or watch TikToks and arrive at my destination, and I usually do. However, Adelaide’s public transport system, especially for these suburb to suburb trips, is too infrequent, too slow and too expensive to make this viable all of the time.
Additionally, the extreme low frequency of buses and complete lack of rail transport at night makes no sense. Not having a safe, reliable and affordable way to get home or get around between 12am and 7am is severely detrimental to the night time economy, the vibrancy of the city and to the people who finish work at these times.
Good public transport is something you don’t have to think about. Reaching for the car key should never be the default when leaving the house, but it seems it is for most Adelaideans.
Due to the infrequency, slow speed and exorbitant costs, much thought and consideration is often required before departing on your destination on public transport causing more traffic, more pollution, more waste producing all these new cars, less room for good and safe cycling routes, and ultimately a less vibrant, interesting and equitable city. – Hunter Crisp
Commenting on the story: Adelaide music festival on brink as industry struggles
While I agree in most part about Craig Lock’s comments regarding the music entertainment industry, I can’t help but notice the contradictory elements of the article.
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He wants funding for the grassroots scene, but has taken a very direct stab at potentially one of the most grassroots music festival’s this state has seen in an exceptionally long time.
The Nice Day To Go To The Club festival brings young and old together for predominantly local acts. It gives new and emerging bands a platform to showcase their talent.
I have absolutely no affiliation with the organisers nor the Port Noarlunga footy club. I’m just a regular punter that has a new favourite festival, because it takes me back to festivals that were around more than a decade ago that were all about locals getting together, having a great time, enjoying some great music and supporting local bands and businesses, rather than promotion of big businesses and international acts.
This community isn’t about money-grabbing and big-noting. It’s rare in this climate to see such a diverse group of punters get together for one festival. It’s not targeted just for the Instagram models or punks or hippies or metal heads – it’s literally for everyone and it supports the local community.
If Lock can’t understand how this festival deserves government funding, he can’t see beyond his own bubble of the business he owns. Supporting the local music industry means supporting ALL of the local music industries, not just his own brand. – Sara Hamilton
