The Western Australian government has announced that more than $10 million of budget allocation for 2024-25 will go towards permanently expanding the trial of the popular Red and Blue CAT bus services in the state.
$10.3 million has been allocated to make the expansions permanent following the popular reception of the bus services’ expansion since late 2021.
The expansion included 20 new bus stops, increased frequency and more evening services as part of several changes to the two routes.
“CAT buses have always been a vital public transport cog for our CBD, both for tourists visiting our great city and for locals getting to and from work or busy sites like Kings Park, Royal Perth Hospital, and the WA Museum Boola Bardip,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“They provide a free and easy way to travel around Perth, but it is important that they cater to the travelling public’s needs in terms of where and how frequently they stop.
“The changes introduced in 2021 have been very popular with users of both services, so more than $10 million in additional funding from the Perth Parking Levy has been allocated to ensure the expanded operation of both the Red and Blue CAT well into the future.”
The growth saw the Red CAT service extended to include Matagarup Bridge, while several extra evening services were added on a Friday and Saturday night to allow passengers to use the free bus until midnight.
The Blue CAT was expanded to operate from the Perth Busport via Northbridge and Elizabeth Quay to new stops in Kings Park.
The WA government says the changes were well received by the travelling public, with patronage on the Blue CAT up 63 per cent from October 2021 to October 2023. Red CAT patronage was up 40 per cent in the same period.
The $10.3 million in additional funding to permanently expand the two services will be allocated from the Perth Parking Levy.
The additional funding continues the WA government’s strong investment in initiatives and projects that will benefit residents and businesses within the CBD including the ECU City Campus, Causeway Pedestrian and Cycling Bridges and WACA Ground redevelopment.
“Given this major investment, we’ve already expanded CAT Bus Services to the University of Western Australia and introduced evening services on the Red CAT,” Perth MLA John Carey says.
“We’re working to make our city more liveable, attractive and vibrant for locals and visitors alike and I’m proud that we continue to expand our public transport networks across Perth.”