Government announces popular Circle Route to run seven days a week

15/12/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle has announced today that Transperth's popular Circle Route bus service would operate every day of the week from this Sunday.
Currently running six days per week, the high-frequency Circle Route has proven to be extremely popular, with more than 1.5 million boardings on the service so far this year.
Announcing the seven-days-per-week service today, Mr Criddle said the Circle Route would operate in both 'clockwise' and 'anti-clockwise' directions on Sundays with a 30-minute frequency.
"The decision to extend the Circle Route services is part of the State Government's continuing plan to improve 'cross-suburban' links," the Minister said.
"The introduction of Sunday services will be particularly beneficial to seniors who can travel free on Sundays and Public Holidays.
"Adjustments will also be made to the Circle Route's weekday timetable to improve the consistency and frequency of the service throughout the week."
Mr Criddle said the Circle Route had proven to be a great success, with a 50 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the first nine months of this year when compared with the same period in 1999.
"The success of the Circle Route has contributed to the 3.8 per cent increase in the number of passengers carried on Transperth's metropolitan bus services this year," he said.
"It shows that the public is flocking to Perth's public transport and recognising that we do have a world-class system that is safe and reliable.
"We continually see the State Opposition trying to undermine public confidence in our buses, trains, and ferries but the reality is that people are prepared to use them in increasing numbers."
Mr Criddle also announced enhancements of Transperth services in several of Perth's northern suburbs. In Kinross routes had been extended into MacNaughton Crescent and in the suburbs of Hocking and Pearsall a bus feeder service was being provided to carry people to Whitfords Station and the northern suburbs rail network.
An additional weekday trip would also be introduced on a trial basis between Joondalup and Two Rocks.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham on 9321 7333.