The long-promised $160 million train service between Perth and Bunbury is back on track after a nearly three-year outage.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti unveiled the new service for a test drive this morning, but the three-car train will only open to passengers from tomorrow, June 29.
Rita Saffioti says the new WA-made trains are more luxurious and comfortable than the last service. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
Ms Saffioti said the new WA-made trains were more luxurious and comfortable than the last service built in 1987.
“I think WA residents would be happy to wait a few extra months for a locally made train than a fully imported one,” she said.
“You’re starting a train manufacturing program from scratch.”
The new Australind train services will be doubled from 2027. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
Ms Saffioti said services would be doubled from next year.
She said there had been an increase in patronage across regional train services, including the Prospector service in Kalgoorlie.
“We’re hopeful that we are going to see really good patronage,” she said.
Bunbury residents have welcomed the new service, which was originally due to restart last year, but have expressed frustration over the limited initial timetable.
The aging Australind train was taken off the tracks in November 2023 after experiencing frequent breakdowns.
The aging Australind diesel train was subject to frequent breakdowns.
(ABC News: Gian De Poloni)
Another three trains are set to be rolled out over the next few months as services ramp up.
Train service vital
The Australind train service has run through about a dozen small inland towns since it was introduced in 1947.
With its reopening, initially, four return services will operate per week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, before increasing to two return services a day from early August.
Retiree Jenny Hebbard lives in the small town of Brunswick, 160 kilometres south of Perth, and has been waiting for the train service to resume.
Jenny Hebbard is frustrated with the initially limited Australind train service. (ABC News: Georgia Loney)
Ms Hebbard has severe arthritis, and said TransWA’s replacement road coach was not as comfortable or as accessible for those with a disability.
“This doesn’t really make it plausible for people to catch the train for the day trips that most people were hoping for,” she said.
“I think that’s frustrating for people because they still feel a little isolated and left out.”
Brunswick Junction is one of the stops on the Perth-to-Bunbury train service. (ABC News: Georgia Loney)
Faster train on the cards
Bunbury MP Don Punch said while people may be disappointed, services were being ramped up, with the aim of reducing the 2.5 hour ride time.
Perth-Bunbury train service set to resume
He said he hoped a second train would be in place by August.
“We should be able to get to a point where we have double the services we had previously, so that will be four return services a day,” he said.
The journey is set to take 2.5 hours, but Mr Punch said he hoped that could be sped up.
“The next stage is to look at how we can make the trip quicker,” he said.
“That again is something we are working with the rail line operator [on], in terms of what might need to happen with rail loops and straightening out parts of the line.”
Long and winding road
The new train has travelled a lengthy route to arrive at Bunbury station.
The last Australind train was introduced in 1987 and was expected to last 30 years.
Australind line facing extensive disruptions
However it was not replaced, and by 2021 its need for constant maintenance was a source of frequent frustration.
In 2020-2021, the train was out of action for 89 days due to maintenance, and in 2023 it was taken off the tracks to allow for work on the Armadale line.
The WA Labor government had long promised to replace the Australind train, with the service slated to restart last year.
Opposition MP Steve Thomas said the service’s reopening was good news, but backed residents’ frustrations.
“It’s come back one year late, with one of only four trains running and it’s only going to be running four days a week,” he said.
“It’s good to see we have it back in action but it has been very slow.”
A WA government spokeswoman said the four new modern trains, once operational, would provide a more reliable and comfortable service.
She said a second train would be brought online by late August.
“Once the second train is in operation, the Australind train will return to its original timetable and supplementary coach services will no longer be required,” she said.
“We recognise the community is eager to have the service return to its original timetable and thank them for their patience.”
The service’s stopping pattern between Perth and Bunbury will remain unchanged, with stops at Brunswick Junction, Harvey, Cookernup, Yarloop, Waroona, Pinjarra, North Dandalup, Serpentine, Mundijong, Byford and Armadale.
It is hoped four return services will operate daily from January.