SMARTRIDER holders can now get free public transport on Sundays, student smartrider holders can travel to school for free, and Kalamunda residents also get to enjoy a new bus service – the 272.

Kalamunda Learning Centre coordinator Bridget Hogarth encouraged everyone to use the 272 bus to get to and from the centre once term starts on February 12.

“This is great – the buses will run at exactly the right time for our classes,” she said.

Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes said the new weekday 272 service is timed to fit in with the Kalamunda Learning Centre classes.

“Down the hill the 272 goes at 9.17am and 12.17pm, on the way back up to the village it’s 11.55am and 2.55pm,” he said.

“It’s a rare thing to win a new bus service… it’s seen as a three-month trial, so we need passengers – I say, ‘use it or lose it.’”

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said a review of the 272 service will be conducted in May this year to allow time for patronage in the line to grow.   

Ms Saffioti and Premier Roger Cook also announced on Sunday that public transport is now free for smartrider holders on Sundays and for student smartrider holders travelling to school.

“Making public transport free every Sunday is another way we’re helping Western Australians manage the cost of getting around and comes on top of our two-zone fare cap,” Ms Saffioti said.

Premier Roger Cook said helping Western Australian’s with cost-of-living pressures is a top priority for his government.

“The cost of public transport for school kids adds up, and this measure alone can save families more than $500 each year,” he said.