Historic launch of Westrail AvonLink train service

24/9/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today described the launch of the Westrail AvonLink train service as a significant, historic occasion.

Mr Charlton said the country passenger rail link between Northam and Perth via Toodyay was not only a big boon for Avon Valley commuters, but the entire region and the metropolitan area would reap numerous benefits.

"The realisation of the AvonLink dream, the first country passenger rail service in Western Australia in almost 50 years, has been made possible through sound management improvements at Westrail," he said.

New management revised the Prospector schedules between Kalgoorlie-Boulder and released rolling stock to accommodate a flexible timetable that suited a daily train service between Northam and Perth.

Mr Charlton said the Monday to Saturday AvonLink would depart Northam at 6.55 am each day, stopping en route at Toodyay, arriving in Perth after one-and-a-half-hours and returning at 5.15 pm the same day.

"The dynamic flow-on effect will integrate Westrail's suburban and country rail and road passenger services in a wide and varied number of travel options throughout WA," the Minister said.

Mr Charlton said the rapid train would be capable of reaching maximum speeds of 120 kilometres an hour for most of the 109-kilometre journey from Northam to Perth.

The AvonLink committee set up by the Government in 1993 to investigate the establishment of a Perth-Avon Valley commuter service, concluded that the service would 'support considerable development and growth; encourage employment opportunities and population growth; stimulate housing development; and create new opportunities for tourism operators.'

"I have every confidence that these visions will be achieved," Mr Charlton said.

Member for Avon Max Trenorden, chairman of the committee, said the service was clear proof that very positive benefits were available to all Western Australians by applying lateral thinking and being willing to accept change.

Mr Charlton said AvonLink presented the WA tourism industry with fantastic opportunities for expansion, with day-trippers offered a return service from Perth to the Avon Valley, for example, departing the city at 8.45 am and returning by 4 pm.

"It should be remembered the Australind train service, from Bunbury to Perth, was the last significant country passenger rail service to be introduced in WA in 1948 and like the Australind, AvonLink is expected to generate a similar economic and social expansion in the Avon Valley," the Minister said.

The Australind increased patronage last year by around six per cent and the rapid Northam-Perth rail link is expected to attract a similar dedicate commuter patronage.

Mr Charlton said one of the important gains from AvonLink was the potential to significantly reduce the volume of commuter vehicles on the Great Eastern Highway, the spotlight of an unprecedented number of road traffic crashes and an appalling loss of human life.

The AvonLink option will encourage more people to leave their cars at home for the public transport alternative and the adult fares make train travel economically attractive.

Weekly commuter fares are $78, $148 fortnightly and $175 monthly and already pre-sold ticket sales indicate the appeal of using AvonLink will grow as the economic and social advantages appeal to the wider public.

Mr Charlton lauded the efforts of all those in the Avon Valley who had campaigned for a daily fast train commuter service into Perth, in particular Max Trenorden, MLA for Avon, who as chairman of the AvonLink Ministerial Committee, was an enthusiastic advocate of this innovative, far-sighted service.

Media contact: Ian Hasleby 321 7333 or 222 9595