The new North Dandalup and Cookernup stations are now open for passengers on Transwa’s Australind route.
The North Dandalup and Cookernup train stations shared in upgrades worth $1.28 million as part of the McGowan Government’s election commitment to improve transport in south-west WA.
The $750,000 upgrade of the North Dandalup station and $650,000 upgrade of the Cookernup station began last year.
Both train stations’ existing low-level platforms are now raised platforms to be fully compliant with Disability Discrimination ACT standards.
The opening of the towns’ new train stations are ahead of the six new diesel railcars to replace the existing Australind service between Perth and Bunbury currently being built and commissioned in Bellevue.
Two car bays and one disability parking bay, line marking and bollards, new kerbing, and bitumen surfaces have also been installed at both stations, as well as better lighting, signage, fencing, and pedestrian paths.
A number of other regional station upgrades including Yarloop and Carrabin have also been completed in the past 18 months.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the Australind service is a local icon which has operated for more than 70 years.
“These small local stations provide a vital transport link for people in more isolated parts of the South-West – but due to their age, the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with standards of accessibility,” Saffioti said.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said “The South-West is an important part of our State and it’s vital we provide public transport infrastructure for local residents, which is why we have upgraded four local train stations over the past 18 months.”