Buses are on call in WA as Perth faces its biggest rail shutdown in history
Spare buses are on call in Western Australia as Perth faces the biggest service shutdown in the history of its rail system.
The state’s Public Transport Authority (PTA) this week announced it will close large sections of the Perth railway system to allow work on the Perth City Link project.
Train replacement buses will operate
during two five-day blocks from July 12 to July 17 and July 31 to August 4, including weekends.
During the blocks, no trains will pass through Perth Central Station. Joondalup line trains will run south as far as Leederville, the Fremantle line will be completely shut, the Mandurah line will terminate at Esplanade and Armadale and Midland trains will both terminate at McIver, or Claisebrook on weekends. The Thornlie line will also be down.
Commuters have been urged to car-pool, walk, cycle, take holidays, stagger work hours, or work from home
during the service interruptions.
Transperth
spokesman David Hynes says there is no other way to
upgrade the
rail network
than to close parts of it while work is done.
“We urge our passengers to be patient and plan ahead during this time,” Hynes says.
Western Australian bus operator Adams Group has delayed selling its school bus operation to assist the PTA with the rail shutdowns.
Today, Adams already has about 30 buses helping the PTA as it prepares for the shutdowns.
Adams Managing Director Adam Barnard (pictured) says the company postponed the strategic sale of its school bus operations to Westwide Bus and Coach until July to provide the extra buses needed.
“We have actually delayed the sale, just in the interest of assisting the PTA with the upcoming major rail disruptions Perth is about to face – I believe they are the biggest ever,” Barnard says.
“We are not taking any bookings for school.”
Barnard says the sale of the company’s school bus operations in Perth’s northern Suburbs is a strategic divestment intended to allow the group to focus on its ongoing business improvement.
Adams purchased Australian Pinnacle Tours late last year, bringing the company’s expansion program to a climax.
Following the acquisition, Adams reviewed its operations and strategic direction, and committed to
focus on
the coach industry, predominantly servicing the mining, corporate and tourism sectors.
According to Barnard, Adams will also continue its focus on high value contracts, which now make up almost half of the group’s business.
“Divesting in the school bus market it just allows us to concentrate on what we do best,” he says.
“It’s always been part of our plan, strategically speaking.”