Perth’s first east-west cross line connection will open in less than two months, and drivers are gearing up to operate the trains.
The new Thornie-Cockburn Line will run from Perth Stadium Station to Cockburn Central Station, passing through the new stations at Ranford Road and Nicholson Road.
Drivers are now undergoing a training program before the line opens on June 9.
The program has involved training pilot train drivers when the line is first commissioned, so they can instruct a wider group of drivers who will operate trains on the new line.
Neil Birnie, trainee driver, said: “Driving along the new route has been pretty smooth sailing, although I’ve had to get used to the new signals.
“Travelling along elevated rail is also a new experience for me.”
Meanwhile Michael Goudas, one of the line’s pilot drivers, said he was excited about the new line’s ability to get people out of Perth Stadium Station after a game and straight onto a train.
“The Thornlie-Cockburn Line will offer a direct route from Optus Stadium to Mandurah, without having to transfer through the Perth CBD,” he said.
“This will save passengers a great deal of travel time and the inconvenience of having to pass through the Perth Station to get to the Mandurah Line.”
