RESIDENTS in Perth's north-east are finally connected to affordable, world-class public transport, with the official opening of the Metronet Ellenbrook line earlier this week.
Ellenbrook has been one of Perth's fastest growing areas. The annual population growth rate has exceeded six per cent, making it an attractive place to live, work and study for the now 50,000 local residents.
Delivered by the WA Labor government with funding support from the Federal Albanese Labor government, the new line will connect tens of thousands of people in Perth's growing north-eastern suburbs to the rail network for the first time.
The 21-kilometre line includes five new stations at Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook, and will tie in with the new Bayswater Station that opened earlier this year.
Each station has modern facilities with a total of 3300 parking bays and 335 bicycle storage racks, with trains to operate every 12 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes outside of this.
The journey from Ellenbrook to the city will take only 30 minutes – less than half the time it currently takes on public transport.
Travel to and from Ellenbrook will be free on Sundays for everyone and free for students travelling to and from school.
Generally, it will cost as little as $4.68 on the state government's two-zone fare cap, delivering affordable transport while stimulating local employment, education and tourism opportunities.
The north-east of the city will also see a significant improvement in bus services to support the new line, with around 100 new buses being brought into service, adding around five million bus service kilometres every year.
Construction has supported approximately 6,500 jobs, including 332 apprentices, 140 graduates and 290 Aboriginal employees.
The state-of-the-art stations will unlock economic development in the local community including commercial and housing opportunities linked to major infrastructure and services.
The construction included a number of major projects and milestones including the demolition and reconstruction of Broun Avenue Bridge, removal of the iconic Bayswater Bridge, tunnelling under Tonkin Highway, delivery of a 900-metre-long viaduct through Bayswater, three new intersections and roads to access stations, two rail pedestrian underpasses, three road pedestrian underpasses, a footbridge over Tonkin Highway to access Ballajura Station and 20 public art pieces across the line.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a well planned and accessible public transport system was a game-changer for local communities, and the Ellenbrook line will make it easier for thousands of residents to travel to and from the CBD.
“I'm proud my government could partner with the Cook Labor government to deliver this transformational project.”
Premier Roger Cook said WA Labor promised to build the Metronet Ellenbrook Line.
“We’ve delivered on our promise. Metronet will change lives in our north-eastern suburbs, providing a fast and affordable link to the city on our world-class rail network.
“I want to thank the thousands of workers that have built this game-changing infrastructure, and I want to thank the community for never giving up, even through years of broken Liberal Party promises.
“This is what Metronet and my WA Labor Government is all about – affordable travel, creating jobs.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said while it's been coming for a while, she was very happy to be able to say that Ellenbrook finally has a train.
“The people in our north-east have waited a long time for this train – having been let down repeatedly by the broken promises of the Liberals and Nationals. I am proud to be part of a team that gets on with the job of delivering on its promises”
