Northbridge's NightRider bus service no longer sustainable

Extremely low passenger patronage is to blame for the scaling back of selected NightRider bus services from the end of this month.

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said patronage on the Northbridge service had never been strong and continued funding of the service was no longer sustainable. 

"This decision reflects a continuing decline to single-figure numbers and the City of Perth's  decision to discontinue its partial funding contribution," Mr O'Brien said.

"In May, the Scarborough Beach Road service only carried an average of 3.85 passengers per trip while the Fremantle route averaged 4.85 passengers.

"It has always been known that taxis, providing a door-to-door service, are the preferred transport option for late-night revellers.

"The State Government is enhancing taxi services in the late night entertainment precincts by making it safer and easier for patrons to catch them.

"More than $550,000 has been provided to employ taxi marshals and other security measures in the last couple of weeks alone."

City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi supported the move, saying that the low patronage levels on the Northbridge Nightrider service meant it was no longer viable.

"In view of the enhanced taxi service and proposed moves to incorporate more maxi taxis into this late-night time slot, the service is being evolved to one we feel will have greater patronage than the current NightRider service," Ms Scaffidi said.

"The city has been a strong supporter of NightRider over time, but the council was concerned that ratepayer money was being spent on a service with a continuing low take-up rate."

The Minister said one of the three Fremantle-based NightRider routes was also being dropped - figures for May show the Leach Highway service carried an average of 6.75 passengers per trip.

"The Fremantle-Northbridge service, which operates reciprocally with the Northbridge-Fremantle run, will go only as far as Henley Street, Como from July 26, while Fremantle's South Street NightRider will remain unchanged," he said.

Funding for these two services is in place for 2009-10, after which it would be reviewed.

The buses which run on the morning of Sunday, July 26 will be the last from Northbridge.

Minister's office - 9213 6400