New Year’s Eve revellers will have access to free, frequent and safe trips home with complementary travel on the Transperth network from midnight onwards, courtesy of the McGowan Government.
For the first time in more than a decade, the tens of thousands of people that flock to the city night spots to celebrate New Year’s Eve will be able to get home free if they choose to take public transport.
Transperth has joined forces with WA Police to ensure celebrations stay festive with about 290 transit officers rostered on for New Year’s Eve, further supported by a significant police presence across the city.
Additional police resources, as part of the policing operation, will be deployed immediately to any identified location as required and WA Police will be patrolling transport hubs and travelling on trains and public transport to support Public Transport Authority staff.
More than 200 additional services across trains, buses and ferries will operate after midnight.
Additional contracted security guards will shadow late-night bus services throughout the early hours.
Transperth has scheduled 113 extra train services, 117 extra bus trips and a number of extra ferry services to run after midnight. This is in addition to those services which operate after midnight on a normal weekday.
Extra buses and railcars will be on standby in case any services experience significant demand.
Free travel will remain in place until 6am on January 1, 2019. Visit the Transperth website for more information about New Year’s Eve services.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“This move is about encouraging more people to use public transport and showing them it’s a safe, efficient and cost-effective way to get home after New Year’s Eve.
“Come up with a game plan for how you will get to your chosen venue and how you plan to get home.
“If you’re planning on taking a break from driving, Transperth has hundreds of extra services organised to get you there and back, and is a great and safe option to journey to and from the celebrations.”
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
“I welcome this joint initiative between Police and Transperth.
“It is really important that people have every opportunity to celebrate, have a good time, and then get home safely.
“Police will be out in force to ensure people can enjoy New Year’s Eve free from anti-social behaviour.
“May I take this opportunity to wish every Western Australian a happy and safe new year.”
