The installation of a new power supply substation and a train crossover facility near City West Station will increase reliability for passengers on the busy Fremantle line, WA transport minister Dean Nalder has said.
The substation and crossover installations, part of a $23.8 million upgrade, will allow a train to turn back on the line.
Until now, one main substation at East Perth has provided power to the Midland, Armadale/Thornlie and Fremantle lines. The new substation will mean the Fremantle Line has its own source of power to run trains between Fremantle and City West Station if there is an unexpected interruption in the city.
The new crossover means that, in such an event, trains will be able to use both platforms at City West Station, Nalder’s office explained.
“Ensuring public transport remains a reliable, affordable, safe and comfortable way of travelling throughout Perth is well worth this kind of investment,” the minister said. “The benefits generated by this kind of project cannot be overstated.”
Works to install the power station and crossover were completed during night and weekend closures of the Fremantle line, to minimise passenger disruption.
More than eight million passengers travelled on the Fremantle line in 2014/15.
The line runs from Perth Station – the city’s central station – to Fremantle, via 15 stations along 18.7km of railway.
Nalder said more than 30,000 boardings were recorded on the Fremantle line on an average weekday between Perth and the port city, making the addition of greater operational flexibility and resilience all the more important.