- Big annual jump in public transport patronage last financial year
- There were more than 120 million boardings on public transport in 2022/23
- Key projects and initiatives like new METRONET Airport Line and two-zone fare cap help boost patronage
- Positive results have continued this financial year with best July result for four years
Patronage on public transport continues its strong recovery from the COVID pandemic with figures just released by the Public Transport Authority showing a more than 20 per cent increase in boardings last financial year.
Total boardings incorporating bus, train and ferry passengers for the year to June 30 reached 123.03 million, a 20.65 per cent increase on 2021-22's 102.20 million.
The latest financial year was boosted by key projects and initiatives including the introduction of the Airport Line in October last year and the State Government's two-zone fare cap introduced in January 2022.
Another key factor in the increase was the steady return of commuters as we continue to emerge from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. During short periods in 2020 and 2021, patronage fell to as low as about 10 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
Patronage data from this financial year suggests the strong growth is continuing with daily SmartRider tags in recent weeks running just above the equivalent pre-COVID figures, and preliminary July results showing total boardings were 11.08 million, the best July figure for four years.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We saw during the COVID pandemic patronage decrease significantly, but the bounce back over the past 12 months has been exceptionally strong and the data suggests that patronage is continuing to grow.
"These results highlight how valued public transport is to our community and why our government is making such a significant investment to expand our train networks through METRONET.
"With significant METRONET projects in the pipeline including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line and the Yanchep Rail Extension, more people than ever before will be able to access our world class public transport system and train network in the years ahead."
