The METRONET Airport Line is officially open with the very first train pulling out of High
Wycombe Station this morning.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Mark McGowan and Western Australian
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti rode the first train, joined by more than 40 lucky lottery
winners.
The $1.86 billion project – first committed by WA Labor as part of METRONET in 2012 – was
jointly funded $490 million by the Commonwealth and $1.37 billion by the State Government.
The new Airport Line adds 8.5km to Perth’s rail network, and travels underneath the Swan
River and Perth Airport, reaching around 27 metres below ground at its deepest point.
It is the first new train line to be introduced into the network since the opening of the
Mandurah Line in 2007, built and opened by the former State Labor Government.
There are expected to be about 20,000 daily trips along the new line in its first year, with
trains stopping at all stations between High Wycombe and Claremont.
Trains on the Airport Line will operate every 12 minutes in peak, every 15 minutes during the
day and every 30 minutes at night.
It is the only train service in the country that will transport commuters to and from the airport,
at the regular passenger fare, which is capped at $5 (or as low as $4 on a SmartRider) as
part of the McGowan Government’s policy committed at the last election.
The first weekday service will leave Perth Station at 5.12am tomorrow, arriving at Airport
Central at 5.30am. Trains will run until about midnight, and later on Friday and Saturday
nights.
The new line will be supported by an enhanced bus network, connecting surrounding
suburbs to the three new stations.
This will add an extra 26 new buses and 1.7 million
annual bus service kilometres to the public transport network.
Parking for commuters will be available at High Wycombe Station (1,200 bays) and Redcliffe
Station (500 bays) for $2 a day.
There will also be plenty of secure bike shelters and drop-off
bays at both stations.
The opening of the Airport Line has so far created 153 full-time equivalent jobs within
Transperth train operations, including new positions for 27 customer service staff, 65 transit
officers and 48 railcar drivers.
During its construction phase the project created 2,000 jobs, with works largely continuing
throughout the global pandemic, even in the midst of worldwide labour and supply
shortages.
To view the Airport Line timetable, visit the Transperth website – Airport Line
(transperth.wa.gov.au).
As stated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“I am pleased to be in Perth today, to officially open the new state-of-the-art METRONET
Airport Line.
“As a former Infrastructure Minister, I know how important affordable and accessible public
transport is, and the Airport Line will open up new transport opportunities for residents and
tourists.
“The METRONET program of works is creating thousands of local jobs, and when complete
will be a game-changer for Perth commuters.
“We are partnering with the McGowan Government to deliver billions of dollars of upgrades
to road and rail projects around Western Australia.”
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“This is a momentous day for Western Australia – the first time a new train line has opened in
Perth in almost 15 years.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this mammoth feat of engineering – the thousands of
workers, hundreds of subcontractors, lead contractors Webuild Group and NRW, our
transport agencies and all of our project partners.
“The METRONET Airport Line is a game-changer for the eastern suburbs and foothills.
“We are delivering on our METRONET vision to connect suburbs, create jobs, reduce
congestion, and create liveable communities connected by world-class public transport.
“METRONET projects are setting up WA’s transport network for the long-term future.”
As stated by Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and
Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“I am thrilled this major infrastructure achievement has been made for Perth, which will help
locals and visitors get where they need to be quickly, smoothly and safely.
“Construction created thousands of jobs as well as business opportunities, but that’s just the
start of the benefits this project will unlock for Perth.
“This airport line will better connect communities to employment and encourage long-term
opportunities for new businesses to grow, which will have a boon on the local jobs market
and economy for years to come.
“The Australian Government has committed $3.7 billion to a number of METRONET projects
to ensure an integrated transport network that supports Perth’s growth and amenity – and as
we can see here today, that’s exactly what we are delivering.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“This has been one of the biggest and most complex public transport infrastructure projects
our State has ever undertaken, and I am incredibly proud to see the new line begin
operations.
“Not only will this line increase public transport options for people living in Perth’s eastern
suburbs and foothills area, but it will also create additional capacity on the Midland and
Fremantle lines.
“The Airport Line will also support domestic and international tourism by providing travellers
with another option to travel to and from the airport at a very affordable price.
“Right across Perth, we are delivering projects just like the Airport Line, which will
fundamentally change public transport in our city, and the way thousands of people are able
to get around.”
