Perth’s Butler Station has marked 600,000 boardings 12 months after it was opened in September 2014.
WA transport minister Dean Nalder said the $221 million, 7.5 kilometre extension to the Joondalup line, which terminates at the new Butler railway station, has continued its initial success, after achieving its goal patronage of 2000 daily boardings just nine days after it opened a year ago.
Since then, patronage has remained steady, the minister said, with weekday boardings now averaging slightly more than 2000.
“This accomplishment validates our significant investment in the growing northern suburbs,” Nalder said.
Butler railway station was built as the terminus of a 7.5 kilometre extension to the Joondalup Line in Perth’s north. The extension sees the line extend beyond the old terminus, Clarkson.
Nalder said Butler station had done more in its first year than just reduce pressure on the Joondalup line, however.
“Transperth data shows this station has also encouraged new users onto public transport and away from their cars,” he said.
“In August 2014, all bus and train services in the Clarkson, Butler and Yanchep catchment recorded an average of 9496 daily boardings.
“In August 2015, that number was up 13%, at 10,759.”
The station incorporates a bus station, and parking for 930 cars, and is connected to a shared cycling and pedestrian path.
When nearby Edgewater Station car park is complete, Butler station will have 1450 car bays. The $29.5 million Edgewater Station multi-storey car park is due to be completed by the end of 2016, and is a government commitment to creating a transport solution in Perth’s northern suburbs.