Perth-Northam trial run of planned Avon CityLink rapid rail service

7/8/95

The proposed Avon CityLink rapid train project moves closer to reality tomorrow, with a demonstration run from Perth to Northam.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton will join local government councillors, business people, Westrail officials and members of the ministerial committee, which prepared a report on the feasibility of establishing a fast rail link between Northam and Perth.

Mr Charlton said a new timetable launched recently for the Prospector train service had repositioned the Avon CityLink service as a much more attractive proposition.

"It could be the exciting breakthrough needed by Westrail to make a service like this feasible and one which committee chairman Max Trenorden MLA has championed for several years," he said.

The plan envisaged a twice-daily rapid commuter train service six days a week from Northam to Perth and return, via Toodyay.

"A fleet of eight rail cars and the Prospector will be capable of reaching maximum speeds of 120 kilometres an hour for most of the 109-kilometre journey," Mr Charlton said.

The Avon CityLink can provide workers living in the Avon with a Northam-to-Perth departure around 6.55 am, returning the same day at 5.15pm. The proposed schedules have been identified as the most preferred by potential train users living in the Avon Valley.

"We should not overlook the tremendous tourism opportunities to the region, which could be greatly expanded by providing day trippers a return service from Perth," Mr Charlton said.

"For instance, the train could depart 8.45 am and return by 4 pm."

Mr Charlton said Westrail and the Avon CityLink Committee would make a full evaluation of the fresh proposal during and after the demonstration trip, with an eye to a possible full-scale launch in September.

"Westrail has achieved significant gains from improvements to country rail services with patronage on the Australind in 1993-94 increasing by six per cent," he said.

"The fine tuning of the Prospector timetable and upgrading of the level of service are expected to realise a similar rise in passenger numbers carried on this route."

The Government has identified the Avon Valley as a designated growth centre and the proposed rapid train service will be essential for further expansion of the region. The likely benefits acknowledged in the Ministerial Committee's report released last year are:

·       arrest annual trade leakage of up to $20 million to the Perth metropolitan area;

·       support considerable development and growth in the Avon Valley;

·       encourage employment opportunities through industry diversification;

·       stimulate housing development; and -

·       through population growth, encourage the development of education and health services within the region.

Mr Charlton said the public had expressed great enthusiasm and indicated they would support a daily high speed commuter rail service between the Avon Valley and Perth.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333