Inspection of Joondalup train-bus interchange

21/3/93

Integrated passenger bus and rail services in Perth's northern suburbs became fully operational today.

To mark the occasion, Transport Minister Eric Charlton travelled by Transperth bus to the Joondalup station - to inspect facilities.

In a symbolic gesture, he dedicated train 005 - one of the Fastrak electric trains commissioned to work the Joondalup line - to the people of Wanneroo by naming it the 'City of Wanneroo'.  The Minister then boarded the train with the chairman of Transperth Tony Middleton for a ride into Perth.

From tomorrow, when the service will be opened to peak hour commuters for the first time, more than 20,000 people are expected to travel daily on Traklink buses for connecting rides on the Joondalup railway.

"This new integrated service will make it easier for thousands of people to travel to and from Perth every day," Mr Charlton said.

"Transperth and Westrail have put in place one of the most comprehensive integrated public transport systems anywhere in Australia.

"Today also marks the completion of the metropolitan rail network which now connects Joondalup with other metropolitan centres such as Midland, Fremantle and Armadale as well as the city of Perth."

The northern suburbs rail link was built at a cost of $277 million.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595/ah page: 480 9999 (94065)