The community of a ‘forgotten’ outer fringe Perth suburb is being consulted on new bus-rail feeder services, proposed by the WA Government, and planned to start mid-October
By David Goeldner | August 12, 2010
Community consultation is underway in a ‘forgotten’ Perth satellite suburb to lock-in a plan to provide bus services equal to the city’s centre.
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien says enhancing bus services to Ellenbrook on Perth’s outer north-eastern fringes had long been a priority for the WA Government.
A spokesperson for the Minister says the local community is being asked to consider two new bus-rail feeder services and increased frequency of services distributed from nearby bus and rail hubs.
He says the aim is to provide bus services with similar frequency and accessibility in the outer suburbs to those of a ‘superior’ service level found within 3kms of the CBD.
“Consultation at Ellenbrook is not to pre-empt the decision of local residents.”
He says with just two meetings to be completed in the consultation process, and if the Ellenbrook community agree to the plan, the new services should be in place by mid-October.
O’Brien has been critical of previous state government’s which he claims ignored the need for public transport upgrades in outer Perth.
“At the heart” of the proposal to the Ellenbrook community is the introduction of a high frequency service connecting the suburb with Bassendean train station and Morley bus station, O’Brien says.
“The (proposed) Ellenbrook High Frequency Service will not only benefit the Ellenbrook community but also have a substantial flow-on effect for residents of Beechboro, Lockridge, Kiara and Eden Hill, where bus services will be more frequent.”
O’Brien says services will run every 10 minutes during peak periods and at 15 minute intervals during non-peak periods.
“The feeder services will result in Ellenbrook North and Coolamon East being served by regular public transport for the first time.”
He says the proposed changes will result in a 44 per cent increase in services to the Ellenbrook area giving residents access to an extra 215,000 public transport kilometres annually
Announcing the proposed upgrade, O’Brien says any further service improvements are considered as part of the Metropolitan Service Development Program, which includes funds for a feasibility study for a future Ellenbrook rail service.