Despite a blossoming public transport system and urges from the government, Western Australia residents aren’t taking full advantage of the services offered to them.
Often opting for the car versus the train or bus, a large deterrent from jumping onboard is the transport fare prices. Thats why the Greens are proposing to make public transport free for all in WA.
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Last year’s Summer of Free Public Transport lead to a 42 per cent increase in public transport use, taking pressure off the roads and people’s wallets at a time when so many were struggling to make ends meet.
The Green’s plan would see a full time worker in Perth save around $46 a week, or $2,246 a year, but cost the State Government just $778 million in revenue over the forward estimates, based on current usage.
If taking into account WA Labor’s commitment to cap fares at $2.80, the average full-time worker would still save $28 a week, or $1,344 a year with the Greens proposed plan. The total cost would drop significantly to $446 million over the forward estimates.
WA Greens MLC Brad Pettitt says everybody in WA should be able to afford the basics, and that includes accessible transport.
“Nationally, there is a shift to reduce the cost of public transport for all which we acknowledge and support,” Pettitt says.
“Queensland’s recent shift to 50c fares has been proven to be a huge success reducing traffic and emissions, massively increasing ridership on public transport, and saving Queenslanders millions.
“Taking into account the summer of free public transport and the recently announced free transport Sundays, Western Australian commuters will already get 97 days of free public transport in 2025.
“Investing in free and frequent public transport is a transformative way to make Perth much less car-dependent and much more sustainable as our population grows into the future.”
In the next Parliament, the Greens will also push for a commitment to building mid-tier transit in Perth’s central suburbs, filling in the gaps between existing rail networks.
The Greens’ plan proposes 31km of mid-tier transit services along two new routes.
The first, known as the ‘Knowledge Arc’, connecting UWA to Curtin University has been well developed from a planning perspective over the last 15 years but remains unrealised by consecutive state governments. Light rail along this route would cost $1.3 billion while lower-cost trackless tram services could be completed for $420 million.
Light rail along the second new route between Fremantle Station and Murdoch University could be completed for $500 million while trackless tram services could be completed for $200 million.
“If Perth is serious about stopping urban sprawl and building good density infill then we need to invest in high quality public transport where we actually want most people to live!” Pettitt says.
“With most Metronet projects wrapping up in 2025, it is time to urgently switch our focus from outer-suburban train stations that encourage more urban sprawl to inner-suburban light rail that can transform Perth into a better connected, more liveable and sustainable city.
“All of the mainland states in Australia have light rail and we have seen how the positive impact it has had on their cities. I am looking forward to Perth getting on board too.
“With multi-billion dollar surpluses over each of the last state budgets and an obscene budget on new roads, it is time we shift our thinking and invest in long-term solutions to make our communities more liveable while providing much-needed cost of living relief.”
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