The state government's 20-year vision for Perth's public transport system, which includes light rail and rapid transit buses, has been cautiously welcomed by the Greens and sustainability experts.
The state government's 20-year vision for Perth's public transport system, which includes light rail and rapid transit buses, has been cautiously welcomed by the Greens and sustainability experts.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell unveiled the 'Public Transport in Perth in 2031' plan today, which flagged the introduction of a light rail service, development of rapid transit buses and extension of the rail line to Yanchep.
"By 2031, Perth residents will more than double their use of public transport, which will see it account for nearly 70 per cent of all trips to the CBD," Mr Buswell said in a statement.
"Our two key transformational projects to redefine travel and development patterns are the extension of the Northern Suburbs Railway to Yanchep and a light rail from Mirrabooka to the CBD.
"The extension of the rail line north to Yanchep will support the development of the
Yanchep City Centre, with a station at its centre, and the fast-tracking of this line will provide developers with the certainty they need to proceed with higher density development.
"By 2031, the Central Northern corridor connecting Perth to Mirrabooka and suburbs to the north has a projected patronage equivalent to that on the Fremantle, Armadale or Midland railways, and light rail is the most feasible rapid transit option to provide this service."
Mr Buswell said government planners were also working on locking in a route for a rail line from the city to the airport.
Long-term plans were for a rail line to run under the main runway at the airport and on to the Perth Hills, he said.
Greens transport spokesman Scott Ludlam said while his party supported the government's plans, they wanted the project brought forward and begun immediately.
"People see the abundant benefits of light rail and want it to be a significant component of Perth's future transport, and they wonder why these projects are going ahead in the eastern states but not here," he said.
Senator Ludlam said while 40 kilometres of light rail was good news, most of the investment would not come until another two or three elections from now.
"People need choice and public transport alternatives now, not in 2031," he said.
"It is essential we get a proposal into Infrastructure Australia in this budget cycle."
Senator Ludlam said the people of Fremantle, Cockburn, Melville and Stirling would also be disappointed that they had been denied light rail.
Curtin University sustainability professor Peter Newman said it was a "dramatic step forward" to commit Perth to a light rail system.
"There is a global light rail revolution occurring and we are likely to be well behind other Australian cities like Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast who are actually building new light rail," Prof Newman said.
However, Prof Newman said the plan made some predictions for public transport growth that were far below current trends.
"Eight per cent growth is happening and 3.85 per cent growth is predicted," he said.
"The massive growth being experienced in Perth's public transport may continue and not drop as suggested.
"The growth has taken the planners by surprise, but it shouldn't as it seems to be related to rising fuel prices that are now seen to be as continuing for the next 20 years.
"It is also related to the city's changing growth patterns, which are now coming back in at a faster rate as people want to live closer to jobs and services."
Opposition Leader Eric Ripper has put forward an alternative transport plan for Perth, featuring a circle rail line diverting around the city centre to connect with growing employment zones across the city.
