A trial of rail services in the Adelaide Hills has been approved by the state government.

Spanish company Talgo will be allowed to test its railcar technology on a 55km rail line between the central Adelaide Hills and Adelaide.

Kavel MP Dan Cregan welcomed the move, and said the service would provide a much-needed alternative to road travel.

“I am aware that Talgo, the Spanish railcar manufacturer, produces train-sets for mixed-gauge networks like ours in the Hills,” he said.

“I have been calling on the government to allow a trial of Talgo’s technology and I am delighted the trial has been approved, subject to conditions.”

However, he said the decision to approve a trial did not mean that passenger train services would necessarily go ahead.

Kavel MP Dan Cregan next to train line at Mount Barker. Picture: Supplied

It comes as a separate trial of on-demand bus services in the Mount Barker region is extended until January next year.

The trial, which has averaged more than 2000 trips per week since it began in January 2020, has provided public transport for residents of Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne.

Mr Cregan said the extension was a win for the community.

“Local residents have come to rely on the sprinter buses, which are better able to access narrow streets within housing developments,” he said.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the decision to extend the trial was made following feedback from locals.

“The message we have been receiving is very clear – local residents would like to see the trial extended,” he said.