Free footy transport gets the cut in South Australia

The South Australian government is set to cut its financial support to free public transport services to football games.

The state’s Transport Minister says the time has come for football to start paying its own way.

“There’s no such thing as a free service here and somebody has got to pay. At the moment it’s taxpayers - people who don’t go to the footy,” Stephen Knoll told 9NEWS.

The bus, train and tram services in South Australia cost around three million dollars a year to run.

Just under half the bill is picked up by the state government coffers.

“Every single other sport and concert in South Australia pay full cost recovery on their public transport, and footy games should be no different,” said Mr Knoll.

The Motor Accident Commission’s funding share is locked in for next season, but apart from that other government contributions are under review.

“It’s fair to say that taxpayer’s contribution is going to ramp down, but what that looks like from a year to year basis is still being worked through,” Mr Knoll told 9NEWS.

Despite pulling back its financial support, the government is optimistic Footy Express services will continue to run long term.

“We’re talking about 50,000 people going to a game at a stadium in the middle of the city. Footy Express services have to continue,” said Mr Knoll.