Following a successful two year trial, the Esperance community in Western Australia will now enjoy three new permanent bus routes.
Operating three times a day on weekdays, the routes will be:
- Route 810 between Nulsen and Esperance;
- Route 811 between Castletown and Esperance; and
- Route 812 between West Beach and Esperance.
The initial trial was conducted by the Public Transport Authority in conjunction with the Shire of Esperance in July 2022, with the aim of improving public transport access to the town centre and surrounding suburbs.
Community feedback was sought via online surveys and at community information sessions, where over 100 overwhelming positive reviews were left last year.
“Affordable and reliable travel options is essential to regional and remote communities, which is why this is a great outcome for the Esperance community,” acting transport minister John Carey says.
“The permanent town bus routes will provide the community as well as tourists with a reliable and low-cost option of travelling within the town of Esperance for years to come.”
The two-year trial demonstrated numerous community benefits including better access to essential services such as the Esperance Health Campus, Esperance Care Services and the shopping centre.
“The trial saw overwhelmingly positive responses during consultation over the two years so the permanent outcome is a terrific result for the community,” says agricultural region MLC Shelley Payne.