- Australind shutdown to commence on 20 November
- Shutdown required to deliver critical upgrades to the Armadale Train Line
- Road coach service to replace Australind during shutdown
- Government announced 50 per cent discount for replacement road coach services
- Coaches to offer both all-stop and limited-stop services
Australind passengers will be offered a 50 per cent discount on fares when travelling on replacement road coaches during the shutdown of the Armadale Line.
From Monday, 20 November the Australind train will be replaced by road coaches, which will run twice a day in each direction.
The decision to replace the Australind train with road coaches followed community responses to a comprehensive independent survey conducted by Transwa last year.
Feedback was received from community members who had regularly used the train service over the previous year.
The road coach replacements will operate from East Perth terminal instead of Perth Station and will include an all-stops and a limited-stop service.
The limited-stop service will also include a stop at Kwinana Station meaning passengers who wish to arrive at Perth Train Station can transfer to the Mandurah Line. There will be no additional cost for passengers who transfer to the Mandurah Line.
The 50 per cent discount fares are for passenger bookings for the Australind train road coach replacement services only.
The road coaches will stop at the same locations as the Australind train, with Kwinana as an additional stop.
The reopening of the Australind will also coincide with the delivery of six new diesel railcars (two three-car sets) which will be manufactured locally in Bellevue and will replace the existing fleet between Perth and Bunbury.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We know this period will be disruptive for regular Australind passengers and we thank them for taking part in our surveys to plan for the replacement services.
"In recognition of the impact the coming shutdown will have, we'll be providing a 50 per cent discount on fares when travelling on replacement road coaches.
"The replacement services will include an all-stop and a limited-stop road coach between Perth and Bunbury, allowing passengers to continue commuting easily between the two locations for work and leisure."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch
"The Australind Train is a valued asset and I want to thank the communities in and around Bunbury for their understanding during this shutdown.
"The decision to put in place replacement coaches came after considerable engagement with regular customers, and given the impact this will have, we will be providing a 50 percent reduction in fares through the shutdown period."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns
"We know this shutdown will be disruptive for regular customers of the Australind Train and we wanted to make sure regular passengers had a range of replacement options in place.
"Having coaches run twice a day in each direction with both express and all-stop services will make sure people have options to suit their needs."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"Communities in the electorate of Murray-Wellington are some of the biggest users of the Australind Train and I want to thank them for their patience while this critical project is delivered.
"Providing both an express and all-stops service will make sure the community continues to have reliable travel options."
