Public Transport Authority
Public Transport Authority
P
ublic transport plays a major part in millions of lives across the globe and the need to move around easily and efficiently is no exception in Western Australia (WA). The Public Transport Authority (PTA) operates four major services in Western Australia; Transwa, Transperth, Transregional and the School Bus Services. With a vision to be recognised as a leading provider of world-class public transport services and solutions, the PTA is a customer service-orientated organisation that is focussed on delivering safe and reliable services. The scale of
the overarching organisation, which spans four major public transport services, indicates that this is no mean feat but with a passenger satisfaction score of more than 90%, PTA continues to deliver its promise and refuses to remain static - in more than one sense of the word. Millions of movements Responsible for connecting passengers in metropolitan and regional areas across a network that consists of train, bus, coach and ferry services, its customer base includes those travelling for leisure, tourism, work and school. In 2016, PTA
operated more than 6,850 Transperth train services weekly, approximately 520 Transwa coach services every month, roughly 154 Transregional buses and almost 1,000 school bus services. The Transperth system alone consists of an extensive bus network, a fullyelectrified urban train system and ferry service. Whilst the Transwa division operates four rail services (Australind, Prospector, MerredinLink and AvonLink) and a fleet of coaches to regional WA travelling to more than 240 locations. Its TransRegional brand comprises the Regional Town Bus Services (RTBS)
branch and manages contracted intra-town and inter-town bus services operating in regional centres around the State. Meanwhile, the School Bus Services (SBS) division plans school services in WA and contract-manages their delivery by contracted school bus operators, managing more than 950 school bus contracts around WA. Driving into the future In addition, the PTA is also responsible for designing and building WA’s metropolitan transport and infrastructure. From designing, building and maintaining the
regions’ public transport, to protecting the long-term viability of Western Australia’s connections and planning for the future. Recognising external factors such as population growth and social trends, PTA is committed to maintaining and upgrading a network that remains resilient, safe, accessible and reliable for years to come. With an enormous area to oversee, it has plenty of current projects on the go at any given time. It is its latest line however, the Forrestfield-Airport link, that is one of significant interest as it will introduce a connection between Perth’s eastern suburbs to the rail network for the very first time. The Forrestfield-Airport Link (FAL) Whilst discussions and planning
regarding the best way to connect the growing eastern suburbs with Perth airport and surrounding areas began in 2008, a detailed assessment was necessary to assess the railway route, demand, population growth and economic development to ensure the project would be future-proof. The project was launched in 2014 and following a formal procurement phase, the contract was awarded to a joint venture between Italian engineering construction company, Salini Impregilo and local engineering firm, NRW Holdings in early 2016. The contract, worth $1.176bn has constructed a commitment for the project to be delivered by late 2020. The Forrestfield-Airport Link will connect with the existing Midland Line
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just east of Bayswater Station and rail tunnels will provide an underground journey, reducing impact on surrounding areas. The new rail lines will travel beneath Tonkin Highway, the Swan River and Perth Airport. The trains will then surface at Dundas Road in Forrestfield and terminate at a new above ground station. By 2021 the Forrestfield-Airport Link is expected to generate 20,000 passenger trips on the suburban rail network every day, increasing to 29,000 daily by 2031. The services will allow for significant growth beyond 2031, ensuring that the new rail line provides the State with long-
term infrastructure and continues to meet the needs of passengers across the suburban rail network into the future. Train strain Crucially, access between Perth Airport and the city will aid the continued growth of Perth Airport as a nationally important centre of employment, commerce and international trade, whilst supporting the domestic and international tourism industry. The much-anticipated FAL offers a lot more than easier access to the airport though and is expected to considerably change the way people in the eastern suburbs, foothills and beyond can access
both the city and the wider Transperth network. Other project benefits include reducing the pressure on current transport infrastructure and creating additional rail capacity on the Midland Line in the inner suburbs of Perth, where similarly, demand is anticipated to exceed capacity soon. The new line is expecting passenger journeys from Forrestfeld to the city to take just 20 minutes, a trip which can take 45 minutes by car during peak time. Furthermore, improved bus feeder networks to Forrestfield Station will mean travel time from Kalamunda to the city will halve during peak hours. As PTA lay the tracks for an improved service with increased capacity, alongside the environmental impact of cars remaining a hot topic across the world, the completion of this project will encourage and enable more passengers to let the train take the strain than ever before.
Richard Sellers – CEO (Director General – Transport) steers the way Responsible for setting the strategic direction of transport in WA, Richard Sellers is the man at the head of the Transport Portfolio. Having held many senior roles in the public sector, including Director General of the Department of Mines and Petroleum, Sellers joined PTA in 2016. Charged with shaping the development across a wide range of integrated transport plans, Sellers leads the implementation of WA’s transformational capital projects. In 2014, he was awarded the WA Patron’s Award for his contribution to the resources sector, the highest honour in public administration, it recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the State on an annual basis.
Oliver Moy Publisher
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