Free Green CAT starts tomorrow

• New, free Green CAT bus will operate from July 1

• $8.2million Green CAT will transport people between Leederville and Perth City

• Key part of $47.6million plan to address CBD congestion

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has launched the latest addition to the free CAT service - a key part of the State Government's $46.7million plan to ease CBD congestion.

The new Green CAT service will ferry passengers between Leederville and the CBD, starting tomorrow. 

Mr Buswell said the Green CAT would open up yet another mode of inner-city transport.

The Minister said the new Green CAT joins three existing CAT services which have transported millions of passengers for free over almost 20 years.

"People are voting with their feet when it comes to our CAT buses, with eight million boardings a year," he said.

"They are hugely popular modes of transport and I expect the Green CAT will be the same, with commuters likely to use it as an alternative way into the city, or for those who want to head into Leederville to shop or meet friends for a coffee."

The Green CAT connects Leederville with the Esplanade Busport and is a key part of a $47.6million investment by the Liberal National Government to build on Western Australia's public transport network.

"This fourth CAT route is yet another measure of how we are planning for our growing population," Mr Buswell said.

"Together with the $57million spent on a third lane in the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel and increased lane capacity on the Mitchell Freeway, these reforms will ensure the CBD has a sustainable transport that is helping to ease congestion."

The Public Transport Authority fast-tracked the development of the new dedicated bus terminus and route so it was ready for the upcoming planned rail disruptions related to the Perth City Link redevelopment.

Seven new buses will operate on the route which is timetabled to run Monday to Friday from 6am to 7.30pm, as frequently as every eight minutes.

A copy of the route can be viewed at http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au. 

       Fact File

• CAT service passenger boardings account for 5% of the total number of public transport boardings a year

• The Green CAT has 19 stops on its route

• Green CAT to run every eight minutes in peak

• Each bus can potentially take more than 50 cars off the road

• Commuters are urged to plan their journey with planned rail shutdowns from Friday July 12 to Wednesday July 17

Minister's office - 6552 6400