People in Perth’s north east are now connected to affordable, world-class public transport, with the METRONET Ellenbrook Line officially opening on Sunday the 8th of December – marking the biggest expansion of Perth’s rail network in more than 16 years.
Delivered by the West Australian Government with funding support from the Federal Government, the new line will connect tens of thousands of people in Perth’s growing north-eastern suburbs to the rail network for the first time.
The 21-kilometre line includes five new stations at Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook, and will tie in with the new Bayswater Station that opened earlier this year.
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese spoke about how important projects like this are.
“A well planned and accessible public transport system is a game-changer for local communities, and the Ellenbrook line will make it easier for thousands of residents to travel to and from the CBD,” he said.
“I’m proud my Government could partner with the Cook Government to deliver this transformational project.”
WA Premier Roger Cook said METRONET will change lives in the north-eastern suburbs, providing a fast and affordable link to the city on the world-class rail network.
“I want to thank the thousands of workers that have built this game-changing infrastructure, and I want to thank the community for never giving up,” he said
Each station has modern facilities with a total of 3,300 parking bays and 335 bicycle storage racks, with trains to operate every 12 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes outside of this.
The journey from Ellenbrook to the city will take only 30 minutes – less than half the time it currently takes on public transport.
Travel to and from Ellenbrook will be free on Sundays for everyone and free for students travelling to and from school. Generally, it will cost as little as $4.68 on the Cook Labor Government’s two-zone fare cap, delivering affordable transport while stimulating local employment, education and tourism opportunities.
The north-east of the city will also see a significant improvement in bus services to support the new line, with around 100 new buses being brought into service, adding around five million bus service kilometres every year.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti spoke about the project, noting her pride in seeing it complete.
“It’s been coming for a while, but I am very happy to be able to say today that Ellenbrook finally has a train,” she said.
“I am proud to be part of a team that gets on with the job of delivering on its promises and I am proud of the community for never wavering in their determination to see this train line delivered.
“I am thrilled for the communities in our north east who finally get their train, and look forward to seeing the Ellenbrook Line serve the community for decades to come.”
At the 2017 election, the current government promised to deliver the line and, when coming into government, immediately commenced planning.
A contract to construct the new line was awarded in late 2020, with early works beginning immediately, and major construction starting in the second half of 2021.
Construction has supported approximately 6,500 jobs, including 332 apprentices, 140 graduates and 290 Aboriginal employees.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said METRONET has truly set a remarkable standard in both design and delivery.
“Perth’s transport system now ranks among the world’s best, exemplifying efficiency and excellence,” she said.
“We take immense pride in having supported such a visionary and transformative project.
“These new train stations are not just modern and world-class but also stylish and designed with the community and sustainability at the forefront. They are vibrant, welcoming spaces that beautifully integrate local stories and environmental considerations.
“I congratulate the design teams and construction crews for their outstanding efforts in bringing these exceptional stations to life.”
The state-of-the-art stations will unlock economic development in the local community including commercial and housing opportunities linked to major infrastructure and services.
The construction included a number of major projects and milestones including:
- demolition and reconstruction of Broun Avenue Bridge
- removal of the iconic Bayswater Bridge
- tunnelling under Tonkin Highway
- delivery of a 900-metre-long viaduct through Bayswater
- three new intersections and roads to access stations
- two rail pedestrian underpasses
- three road pedestrian underpasses
- footbridge over Tonkin Highway to access Ballajura Station
- 20 public art pieces across the line
Ellenbrook has been one of Perth’s fastest growing areas. The annual population growth rate has exceeded six per cent, making it an attractive place to live, work and study for the now 50,000 local residents.
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