For people with a disability who do not have a driver's licence like Ally Finnis, Mount Gambier's public bus service is all but inaccessible.

The bus service does not go to outer areas of South Australia's second-largest city, the stops are far apart and it does not run before 9am or after 6pm on weekdays.

It also does not run on weekends or public holidays at all.

The 27-year-old identifies as neurodivergent and lives with a vestibular condition, using crutches to get around when needed.

They rely on family members to get around.

"It does mean not only do I need to schedule around their availability, they need to schedule around mine and what I've got going on," they said.

There had been hope a review by the state government two years ago would improve the bus service.

Instead, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has signed a new eight-year contract to run it with the current routes and timetable, beginning Sunday, October 1.

The service will now be run by Keolis Downer, a British company that Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis was critical of in opposition and that he is removing from running the trains in Adelaide.

It will operate under the brand LinkSA, which also runs inter-town services around South Australia.

Local company lost bid

The service was previously run by Mount Gambier Bus Lines, a company that also runs inter-town and local services in western Victoria, as well as country school bus services.

Managing director Neil Davies said his company also bid for the contract but it appeared the government had gone for a cheaper option and kept the same system that had been running for 30 years.

He said his company had suggested more routes and longer hours.

A spokesman for DIT said the tender process "gave the opportunity for bidders to provide their ideas and proposals for alternative service designs".

"This new contract will ensure existing routes and frequencies are maintained," he said.

"As part of the state government's election commitments, there will be a broader audit of regional public transport services to identify opportunities for better integration of public transport services in regional centres, which will consider these proposals and the City of Mount Gambier's report."

Council critical of service

The City of Mount Gambier's submission to the 2021 review described the system as more suited to a town with a population of 3,000 to 6,000, rather than the 27,000 people who lived there.

"The current public bus service … contributes to high levels of social exclusion experienced by those most vulnerable within the Mount Gambier community," it said.

Mayor Lynette Martin said it was "very disappointing" the government was continuing with the service as it was.

"We will hope that council will work with LinkSA to see that we can improve the service, because I think once LinkSA are here and they see the areas in the city that are not serviced, I'm sure they will become aware that it's an inadequate service," Cr Martin said.

She said the system did not service the hospital and TAFE well, or the new Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre and Foodbank at all.

A lack of public transport can be difficult for people who have moved to Australia and do not yet have a driver's licence or a car, a growing group in Mount Gambier. 

"It does take time for them to adjust to life in our city and, particularly with the lack of public transport, it does make it more difficult for them to access the services they need — and employment," Cr Martin said.

The DIT spokesman said LinkSA would be "meeting with the council to discuss the community's feedback over the current service and to identify any changes that can be made within the contractual arrangements".

The buses for the public transport system are used as school buses before 9am, and from 3pm to 4pm on weekdays.

Too far for elderly to walk

Terry Walters is the chairman of the residents' association at the Hallmont Estate retirement village.

About 500 people live in the estate, along with the neighbouring Woodlands Grove village, on the northern edge of Mount Gambier.

The nearest bus stop to them is about 1 kilometre away.

Mr Walters has been lobbying for the past two years to get the routes changed to make it easier to walk to a stop but learnt this week about the new contract.

The association fundraised for a minibus to drive residents to activities as well as to the CBD twice a week.

"There are a lot of people who are well into their 80s and no longer drive and they've got to rely on the bus or a friend to take them to town," Mr Walters said.

Paul Manfrin, who is legally blind and uses a guide dog, is in a similar situation to Ms Finnis.

He catches the bus to his job, but has to start at 9:30am instead of 9am because that is when the first bus arrives near his workplace.

On weekends, he has to walk a long way to the CBD or rely on his wife to drive him.

"Not just a person who has a disability, but anyone should have the opportunity to use public transport when they need to," he said.

"My wife isn't available all the time. I would prefer not to rely on her all the time." 

Keolis Downer and Mr Koutsantonis were contacted for comment but referred enquiries to DIT.

Thirteen contracts have also been signed for other bus services around South Australia, including in Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and between smaller towns.