2025-03-06
The Greens have called on SA Premier Peter Malinauskas to extend free public transport for ticket holders during the Adelaide ‘Mad March’ festival season, including the Fringe, Adelaide Festival, WOMAD and Adelaide Writers Week.
Free public transport for festival ticket holders - similar to that afforded sporting events like the AFL and Cricket at Adelaide Oval - would have significant benefits for the South Australian economy and arts sector. The Greens have also urged the Premier to rename the Adelaide Cup public holiday on March 10 to Adelaide Festivals Day.
Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for the Arts and Senator for South Australia:
“Adelaide is at its best during our March festival season and free public transport for ticket holders should be a no-brainer. This is a win-win for our economy and the arts.
“I have written to Premier Malinauskas and urged him to consider our proposal that anyone coming in to see a show or event at the Fringe, Adelaide Festival, WOMAD or Writers Week can travel for free.
“It is also time to change the name of Monday’s public holiday from ‘Adelaide Cup Day’ to ‘Adelaide Festivals Day’. The long weekend that hosts the Adelaide Festival, the Adelaide Fringe and WOMADelaide is the crescendo of Mad March.
“Plenty more people are participating in the festivals this weekend than those going to the Adelaide Cup. It’s not even a Group 1 race anymore - it was downgraded years ago, while the Fringe alone is now the largest arts festival in the country.
“Backing our arts festivals and encouraging audiences to attend more performances and events via public transport has a range of cultural, economic, and environmental benefits.
“We know that free public transport works and has proven immensely popular during the Adelaide Test Cricket, and of course for AFL football including the Gather Round. Given the huge contribution of the arts and festivals to our city, it makes sense to offer the same level of support to locals and visitors who are attending these hugely successful cultural events.
“The arts make an enormous contribution to the South Australian community, directly employing over 13,500 South Australians; not to mention the economic multiplier effect for jobs in hospitality, tourism and so many other small businesses. Making public transport free would add further value to our thriving cultural economy.
“Our festival season is a huge drawcard for South Australia, and we are already known as the Festival State. It's time we recognised this properly with free public transport for ticket holders and by renaming the public holiday Adelaide Festivals Day.”
Robert Simms MLC is Greens spokesperson for Transport
“The Fringe and festival season are enjoyed by many South Australian families. In the middle of an economic crisis, the exorbitant costs of car parking can make a visit to the city very expensive.”
“The city is well serviced by public transport — the State Government should make this free for the duration of the festival season to reduce costs and ease congestion on our roads.”
“The festival season should be open and accessible to all South Australians regardless of their bank balance.”