The Western Australian government has announced the expansion of the northern suburbs bus network, designed to give locals improved connectivity, coverage, and higher-frequency services around new Yanchep Rail Extension stations.
Set to begin operations on July 15 with the Yanchep Rail Extension opening, five new bus routes have been created to service the new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.
Twenty more buses will be brought into the network, with services every 10-20 minutes – providing more than one million additional bus service kilometres each year.
“A successful rail line is more than just providing trains,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“It needs a robust and effective bus feeder network to help bring commuters to those stations, and the Yanchep Rail Extension will be no exception when it opens.”
Released following a community survey and consultation held earlier this year, the new routes will improve network coverage with expanded services in Catalina Estate (Tamala Park); Eden Beach Estate (Jindalee), Trinity, Shorehaven and Alkimos Beach Estates (Alkimos), Amberton Estate (Eglinton) and Capricorn Beach Estate (Yanchep).
Services will also extend further north to serve the Atlantis Beach Estate in Two Rocks.
The growing communities surrounding the new stations will be among the greatest beneficiaries as buses will be routed through their neighbourhoods for the first time. These include:
- New Route 479: Travels between Clarkson Station and Mindarie Quays every 20 minutes in peak, giving the Catalina Estate bus coverage for the first time.
- New Route 485: Travels between Butler Station and Alkimos Station every 10 minutes in peak, giving the Eden Beach and Alkimos Beach estates bus coverage for the first time (introduction date subject to the completion of Mirabilis Avenue).
- New Route 487: Travels between suburban Alkimos and Butler Station every 10 minutes in peak, giving greater coverage to Trinity Estate for the first time.
- New Route 491: Travels between Eglinton Station and Alkimos Station every 10 minutes in peak, giving the Shorehaven and Amberton Beach estates bus coverage for the first time.
- New Route 498: Travels between Two Rocks and Yanchep Station every 20 minutes in peak, giving greater coverage to the Two Rocks area and first-time bus coverage for the Atlantis Beach Estate.
Butler MLA John Quigley says these changes wouldn’t have been possible without input from the community.
“While there will be some changes, the addition of more buses and new train stations will significantly improve the way people are able to get around,” Quigley says.
“Importantly – we’re giving some communities services by buses for the first time – which will encourage more people out of the car, onto public transport and reduce congestion.
“These changes will take effect on the 15th of July, so I encourage the community to take a look and familiarise yourself with the improved network.”