A RECENTLY COMPLETED and now open AUD$5.74 million project to build an Australian-designed and built bus depot in Mount Claremount, west Perth, is part of a future-proofing push for Transperth bus facilities, the State Government confirms.
With hardstand parking areas for up to 55 buses and 65 cars, the depot includes a four-bay workshop, administration building, refuelling facilities and bus wash facilities.
Located on a 1.2ha site west of Brockway Road, it was designed and built by West Australian company Pindan Constructions.
As the Government explains, the new depot will, “…help future-proof Transperth’s bus operations, as part of a push by the Public Transport Authority to ensure as many bus depots as possible are owned by the State.”
Previously, Transperth buses servicing Claremont and surrounds operated out of a Fremantle facility on a month-by-month lease.
.jpg)
Investing in land and construction of depot facilities eliminates the risk of strategic inner-suburbs locations being purchased for other developments; removes expenditure on rent; reduces costly ‘dead running’ (operating without passengers) of buses; and ensures bus contract operators can compete for tenders on an even playing field – regardless of whether they own a local depot facility, the government says.
The Mount Claremount facility will also have the capacity to house additional articulated buses to support the highly successful Route 950, it confirms. It will now open daily, with most bus movements occurring between 6.00am to 8.00am and then again from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
STATEGIC VISION
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “This facility will ensure passengers in the inner suburbs receive the best and timeliest services at the lowest cost.”
“The cost to the state – and therefore WA taxpayers – of rent, dead-running and less-competitive operational contracts is significant, and I commend the Public Transport Authority for their strategic vision in acquiring this facility, which was also designed and built by a local company.
“The PTA also has several other facilities planned for construction in the next year,” the Minister stated.
.png)
IN DETAIL
By owning depots in strategic locations across its network, the PTA can not only eliminate uncertainty associated with leasing private depots, but also reduce travel time between the depot and service start and end points, minimising congestion on local roads and maximising service reliability for passengers, it states.
The 1.2 hectare site provides space for up to 40 additional buses over the existing North Fremantle facility, helping to cater for an expected long-term increase in service demand, it adds.
Construction started in August, 2018, and buses began operating from the new depot on 21 July, 2019. Bus movements in and out of the depot will mainly occur outside of peak periods.
Photography: courtesy Public Transport Authority (PTA)