Bus transit way to 'revolutionise' commuter travel from southern suburbs

28/6/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle has launched a major assault on Perth's dependence on the motor car by announcing the go-ahead for stage one of a special bus transit way down the middle of the Kwinana Freeway from Canning Bridge to Judd Street in South Perth.
Mr Criddle said the 10.2m wide dedicated transit way would incorporate1.2m safety walls topped with steel rails allowing buses to operate back and forth at optimum speed without interference from other traffic.
The $34m project also incorporated a split-level passenger transfer station at Canning Bridge and upgrades and modifications to freeway footbridges at Comer, Thelma and Preston Streets in South Perth.
"The 5.9km stage one section will be up and running next year and has the potential to revolutionise commuter travel for people living in the southern suburbs," the Minister said.
The dual bus lanes form part of a $105 million public transport initiative that will, within five years, see Kwinana Freeway with a world-class dedicated public transport spine carrying an estimated 40,000 bus passengers daily. Currently 25,000 people use the freeway buses each day.
"We estimate that these dedicated bus lanes will carry up to 6,000 people per hour in the peak direction and provide people living in the southern suburbs with a high frequency 'train-style' public transport option over the 15km journey between Perth and Murdoch," Mr Criddle said.
"What we are building here is a high-frequency, safe rapid commuter service using the world's best city buses and I'm confident the community will embrace it with great enthusiasm."
Mr Criddle announced Henry Walker-Eltin/Clough Engineering as preferred tenderer for the stage one section from Canning Highway to Judd Street with work anticipated to start in August or September and be completed in 2001.
The contract for stage two from Canning Highway to Murdoch
Park n' Ride at South Street (adjacent to the Murdoch University Campus) was yet to be awarded but this project was expected to be up and running by 2005.
The Kwinana Freeway transit way will link into the Narrows Bridge where dedicated dual bus lanes are being incorporated into the duplication project.
Mr Criddle announced the freeway initiatives when he launched a report today outlining plans for Perth's 21st Century transport system.
The Metropolitan Land Transport Directions report details how the Government will achieve the optimum transport system for the metropolitan area over the next five years.
"This report outlines the Government's assault on Perth's dependence on the motor vehicle by providing a viable public transport alternative," the Minister said.
He said the directions paper also planned for the movement of freight and service vehicles around the metropolitan area, as well as the needs of the motoring public.
"New buses are improving public transport service reliability, comfort and ease of access for people with disabilities," Mr Criddle said.
"The Government is spending over $300 million to renew the bus fleet and almost $75 million to expand it, plus $2.5 million to improve bus and rail stations, interchanges and Park'n'Ride stations.
"Bus services will be extended, with $9.5 million being committed in the coming year to new and extended services to Rockingham, Fremantle, Landsdale, Coolbellup, Subiaco and other areas."
Media contact: Doug Cunningham on 9321 7333