The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension has officially
opened today, connecting tens of thousands of people in Perth's northern
suburbs to the rail network for the first time.
The Yanchep Rail Extension extends the Joondalup Line
14.5 kilometres north from Butler, and includes three new stations in Alkimos,
Eglinton and Yanchep.
Each station has modern facilities and ample parking,
with more than 900 parking bays at Yanchep Station, 700 bays at Alkimos Station
and 400 at Eglinton.
The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension was
jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments.
The state-of-the-art stations will unlock residential
and commercial land in surrounding areas, opening up new housing opportunities
linked to major infrastructure and services.
The extension includes three green fauna
bridges – the first of their kind over rail in Western Australia – providing
native wildlife a safe crossing over the rail corridor and maintaining habitat
connectivity in the Ningana Bushland.
Nine public art pieces feature across these stations, celebrating the
unique cultural, historical and environmental aspects of each station and the surrounding areas.
Construction works on the project began
in late 2019, supporting around 1,370 local jobs.
Perth's northern coastal corridor is
among Australia's fastest growing areas, and the new train line will connect
rapidly developing suburbs to the Perth CBD and airport.
Travel to the city from Yanchep will
only be a 49-minute journey, and through the Cook Labor Government's two-zone
fare cap, commuters will pay $4.68 for the ride – with free travel every Sunday and
school students travelling free during the week.
Free community events were held today at
the new train stations to mark the milestone, giving community members the
opportunity to ride the new train lines, with regular passenger services to start
tomorrow.
Quotes attributable to
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook:
"As a Dad in Kwinana, I know how much a train service can change a
community.
"For the tens of thousands of people in our northern suburbs, this means
fast, affordable and reliable travel to the city and beyond for the first time.
"This is what METRONET is all about – transforming suburbs, slashing
travel time, reducing travel costs and creating jobs.
"On behalf of the WA Government, I want
to thank everyone who has been part of the project – particularly the workers,
who have done a brilliant job.
"METRONET is powering ahead across our suburbs, with the Yanchep
extension now open and the finish line in sight for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
"Only Labor governments deliver the public transport infrastructure our
city needs for its future, because we'll always do what's right for WA."
Quotes
attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and
Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Projects like
the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension highlight the importance of Australian and state
governments working together to provide safer, faster and more efficient
transport links.
"The
Australian Government is investing almost $5 billion in METRONET to provide the
infrastructure Perth and the surrounding areas need.
"The extension
will create social and economic benefits for locals commuting south and
visitors who want to explore Perth's beautiful northern suburbs."
Quotes
attributable to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Right across Perth, we are seeing communities
being transformed and better connected thanks to our METRONET program and I am
thrilled to see the Yanchep Rail Extension project reach completion.
"This extension will give over 169,000
future Yanchep-Two Rocks residents another transport option to travel around
Perth for work, study, and recreation.
"It's great to see how the public art in
these state-of-the-art stations has come alive and created a great sense of
place and identity for the area."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for
Pearce Tracey Roberts:
"Today is a
significant milestone for our local community. The extension of the train line
to Yanchep, with stations in Alkimos and Eglington will see an important
connection to the metropolitan rail network, thanks to Federal and State
Government funding.
"This highly
anticipated METRONET rail extension will enable people who live in one of the
fastest growing areas in Australia the opportunity to take a short journey from
home to their local train station. Visitors will also be able to travel
by train to see the beautiful local attractions."
Quotes attributable to State Member for
Butler John Quigley:
"To be opening one of the biggest public
transport projects our community has ever seen in my final full year of service
to our northern suburbs is the utmost privilege.
"This is one of the biggest transport
infrastructure projects our community has ever seen – and to be at the opening
to celebrate the achievement is an exciting moment.
"The opening follows an extensive testing
and commissioning program, which has ensured that all infrastructure and
systems are operating effectively.
"This project has seen approximately 41,085
sleepers and 90,000 tonnes of ballast used, while three new fauna bridges are
the first to be built over rail in Western Australia."
