Public transport

Did you know...

• on a typical day, there’s an average of 400,000 boardings on Perth’s public transport system with passengers travelling a cumulative total of over 3.8 million kilometres on buses, trains and ferries
• while Perth public transport boardings have rebounded since COVID-19, they’re still lower than they were in 2012-13 despite the network having expanded.

Barriers to using public transport

When it comes to public transport, three in ten Perth metropolitan members never use it and a further three in ten use it less than once a month. Regionally, two thirds of members never use public transport, and a further quarter use it less than once a month. While most members believe public transport is affordable, reliable and safe, key barriers members identify that prevent them from using it more include:

• availability of services (doesn’t go where it’s needed or not frequent enough), especially in regional areas
• needing to use their car (for work, other journeys, or to carry items)
• the time it takes to get to where they need to go. 

Members indicate they’d be likely to use public transport more if:

• there were better connections to destinations outside of the Perth City Centre
• there were better bus and train services between and within regional towns
• the frequency of local bus services were improved.

Why WA needs better public transport

The population across Perth and Peel is expected to reach 3.5 million by 2050 - presenting significant challenges to the way we live and move around. Trips in and around Perth are projected to nearly double to more than 12 million a day; meaning investment in extending the reach, quality and accessibility of the public transport system is essential to meet the needs of the growing population.

A high-quality public transport network that provides safe, accessible and reliable mobility for all residents contributes to a more inclusive and connected community. Where public transport offers an attractive alternative to driving, it reduces transport emissions, air pollution and noise and helps keep everyone moving. Public transport stations and services also facilitate higher-density developments, which can provide housing, business opportunities and local jobs.

Expanding WA’s public transport network

Perth’s train and bus network has recently expanded with the construction of the Ellenbrook Line, Thornlie-Cockburn Link, new stations on Perth’s urban fringe - Yanchep and Byford- and a major upgrade to the Armadale Line. These improvements have created a range of new bus connections as well as public space improvements and should stimulate development around stations.

However, Perth currently lacks a mid-tier public transport system, such as light rail, trams, or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). A mid-tier system is crucial for connecting people to destinations other than the city centre, catering to a wider range of trips outside of commuting. Public transport also works best when people can access stations and stops without needing to drive – for this to happen, we need to make it safe, quick and easy to walk or ride instead.

Public transport provision is difficult in Western Australia’s regions, as it faces the complex task of servicing smaller populations spread across larger areas. The limited availability of public transport in regions creates areas where people may experience high levels of transport disadvantage. Innovative solutions such as on-demand bus services could be trialled to address this problem and ensure all Western Australians have access to sustainable and affordable travel options.

RAC remains committed to working with all levels of government to improve the quality and coverage of our public transport network and ensure it's a realistic and attractive travel option for more Western Australians.