Overcrowding biggest problem on Perth trains
Overcrowding on Perth’s trains and the infrequency of metropolitan bus services have been highlighted as just two of the major issues with Perth’s public transport system in a survey carried out by the RAC.
The survey also found that, although one in two people thought the public transport system in Perth was good, more than seven in ten people had difficulties or concerns when using the system.
The RAC conducted the survey in conjunction with the Community Newspaper Group and Channel 7 to look at the current trends in public transport and identify any issues with the system given its importance in Perth’s overall transport infrastructure.
The RAC’s Executive Manager of Member Advocacy David Moir said the RAC was concerned about the findings of the survey and that the State Government needed to take immediate steps to address the problems.
“Having a public transport system that offers people a viable alternative to using a car is important in helping to reduce the growing congestion on Perth’s roads, promote the environmental benefits of public transport and reduce the number of people parking in the city, freeing up spaces for discretionary travellers,” he said.
The report identified that, while overcrowding was a problem on all train lines, it was particularly severe on the Joondalup and Midland lines with more than six out of 10 users identifying it as a concern.
A lack of parking was also seen as a problem at some stations on the Joondalup line and on the recently opened Mandurah line where Mandurah, Cockburn Central and Murdoch were identified as car parking ‘hotspots’.
Four out of ten respondents who used the Armadale line and three in ten people who travelled on the Thornlie and Midland lines said they were concerned about personal safety, while the frequency of train services was an issue for people travelling on the Fremantle line.
“We know the State Government has ordered 15 three-car train sets to tackle the growing problem of overcrowding on our trains, but we are concerned that this will only fix the problem in the short term and that more will be needed to service the increasing number of people using public transport,” Mr Moir said.
Service frequency was the major problem for people catching the bus with more than 50 per cent of all bus users raising it as a concern.
Results from bus commuters by metropolitan area
