New Alkimos Depot gives boost to northern suburbs bus network

• New depot with capacity for 90 buses opened in Alkimos today
• Will support the bus network servicing the new Yanchep Line stations
• Built by Swan Group WA with provision for electric charging in the future

In a boost to the bus network in Perth's northern suburbs, a new depot big enough to house 90 Transperth buses has opened in Alkimos today.

The $13.4 million depot will support the expanded bus network servicing the three new stations on METRONET's Yanchep Line, and includes provision to install electric charging infrastructure in the future.

The bus feeder network to Yanchep, Eglinton and Alkimos stations has been designed to cater for the whole community, providing more than a million additional service kilometres each year and adding 20 more buses onto the road.

Since the three new stations opened on 15 July, bus patronage in the area has increased about 10 per cent and is expected to keep growing as infill in the area continues.

Perth's bus network will continue to grow in the coming year with several major METRONET projects scheduled for completion including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, Thornlie Cockburn Link, Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal and Byford Rail Extension.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Thanks to METRONET, our train network is expanding at a level never before seen in Perth and that means we're also seeing a big improvement to our bus network.

"To support the three new stations on the METRONET Yanchep Line, we've added 20 additional buses to the network in Perth's far north, and key infrastructure like bus depots are critical to those operations.

"It's an investment which will help future-proof the area's bus network, and also support a future fleet of electric buses."

Comments attributed to Butler MLA John Quigley:

"The new METRONET stations have been a game changer for our area, and this new bus depot will be a critical piece of infrastructure that will support the expanded bus networks.

"Thanks to the METRONET expansion, we now have more than a million additional bus service kilometres operating in our area every year, giving more people access to our public transport network."

Comments attributed to Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard:

"METRONET is delivering far more than just expansions to our rail network, it's completely transforming our public transport network, and the increase in bus services to parts of our community is a great example of that.

"With 20 additional buses being brought into the network, we now have better access to public transport, as well as more frequent services."