Minister launches new high-frequency bus service

30/3/00
Residents in Kwinana, Rockingham, Cockburn and Fremantle will be the first to experience Transperth's 900 Series High Frequency bus services, the first of 14 rapid transit routes planned for Perth.
Launching the new service today, Transport Minister Murray Criddle said that people now travelling between Rockingham and Fremantle would have a bus every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes in the late evenings, weekends and public holidays.
"This service is a major enhancement of the public transport system and I'm certain it will be greeted enthusiastically by the public," Mr Criddle said.
"The 900 Series High Frequency Service buses can clearly be recognised by a new distinctive green and blue colour scheme on the bus.
"Only new low-floor accessible buses will be used for this service, and all of the stops along the route will be accessible and fitted with tactile facilities for the visually impaired within the next three to four months."
Mr Criddle said the service could be viewed as 'work-in-progress' that would ultimately lead to a train-like bus service operating on a priority route between Rockingham and Fremantle with limited stops and high frequencies.
Real time passenger information similar to the CAT service in Perth would be trialled in 30 of the new bus shelters along the route.
The Minister said that sections of the dedicated busway between Dalrymple Road and Ennis Avenue in Rockingham and Hampton Road in Fremantle would be completed by June, and this investment in public transport infrastructure would further improve the bus service.
Rockingham to Fremantle is one of 14 key bus route corridors in the metropolitan area identified in The Better Public Transport Ten Year Plan to receive a 900 Series High Frequency Service.
While launching the new bus service, the Minister also opened the new Kwinana Bus Station located in Wellard Road near The Hub shopping centre.
Four services to each of the major suburban areas in Kwinana will link into the new bus station to connect with the 900 Series High Frequency Service to Rockingham and Fremantle and also linking services to the Perth Busport.
The new fully-lit bus station features closed circuit television surveillance, a kiosk, information booth and toilet facilities.
New Park 'n' Ride facilities also with video surveillance are located nearby at The Hub Shopping Centre.
Mr Criddle acknowledged the Town of Kwinana and Cities of Rockingham, Cockburn and Fremantle for their support in the development of these public transport projects.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333