CONSTRUCTION OF A $2.3 million new bus depot at Pinjarra, in the Peel Region south of Perth, starts this week, the Western Australia State Government confirms.
The Harries Way bus depot is expected to be completed early 2020, and will initially house nine buses. When fully developed it will be able to host about 30 buses, it’s claimed.
With the tender awarded and construction starting soon, the new bus depot in Pinjarra is anticipated to take pressure of the Mandurah bus depot, which is at capacity, the government states.
The project will also create significant cost savings by reducing the use of empty buses, it explains, while adding that almost half of the depot construction will be undertaken by local Peel and South-West businesses.
In terms of the project’s financial breakdown, the $1.3m tender – awarded to local company Shelford Construction Pty Ltd – will allow construction of a new administration office, upgrade of an existing on-site workshop, plus installation of a hardstand, fencing, lighting and CCTV. The additional $1 million has been allocated for land acquisition and planning, the government explains.
GETTING IT DONE
To date, 47 per cent of subcontractor awards have been granted to local Peel and South-West businesses, it states.
Carbone Bros Pty Ltd from Brunswick Junction will do demolition, earthworks and civil works; Bay Electrical Service from Mandurah will take care of electrical services; and Ocean Edge Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd based in Erskine will sort the hydraulic services.
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PRESSURE RELIEF
Currently, Pinjarra buses must travel 18km from the Mandurah bus depot before they can enter service. They also need to travel back at the end of their shift, the government explains.
‘Dead running’ (operating without passengers) for such a long distance creates significant costs for extra fuel and maintenance. Reducing dead running minimises the risk of timetable delays if a bus gets stuck in traffic on the way to its starting point, it states.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “Once complete, the new Pinjarra bus depot will take pressure off the Mandurah depot and create savings for tax payers by reducing the amount of buses travelling without passengers.”
“The $1.3 million tender has been awarded to local company Shelford Construction with almost half of the subcontractor contracts awarded to local Peel and South-West businesses, supporting local jobs.
“Expected to be completed in 2020, the depot will initially house nine buses, reaching capacity at 30 buses when it is fully developed.”
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Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke said: “The new bus depot is a huge win for the local Pinjarra community – not only is 47 per cent of the work being done by local Peel and South-West businesses, but it opens up the possibility of increased future bus services in our local area.”
“I speak to local Pinjarra residents all the time and they continually raise the issue of public transport with me.
“While this is a big step forward, I know how important increased bus services are to our community, and that’s something I am continuing to fight for.”