Dual promises mean that whoever wins the next election. Adelaide should get a public transport upgrade.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was in the city late last week, announcing for a new train line linking Adelaide to Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre.

The $43 million project would extend the Tonsley railway line by 650 metres, to cut travel times from city to campus to around 20 minutes.

“It's going to make it easier for students to get to and from the university, it's going to make it easier for the innovators to work together,” Mr Turnbull said.

“It's going to improve the amenity, the liveability, of this part of Adelaide.”

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham, the top name on the Liberal ticket in South Australia, said the project was bigger than just the rail line.

He said it would create a connection with Flinders University and a nearby innovation precinct that would work to both jobs and growth.

Senator Birmingham says the State Labor Government and the University support the rail extension.

South Australia's Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan says that other half of the $85 million project it has pledge to fund would be paid for regardless of which party wins the federal election,

On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten turned up in South Australia to pledge $500 million for a new Adelaide tram network if elected.

The funding would be used to fast track studies by Infrastructure Australia for the AdeLINK project.

He says the funding will re-energise the local workforce that has been hit hard by the slowdown of the automotive sector.

Mr Shorten previously pledged $59 million for a jobs transition package for car industry workers.