The West Australian Government is supporting the future growth of the Bunbury and Peel region, announcing an $80 million investment to purchase two additional Australind trains.
The investment was allocated in the recent Mid-year Review and will include two additional three-car Australind railcar sets.
The addition of two extra trains will provide a significant uplift in the reliability of services, as well as support an increase in train frequency in the future.
Premier Roger Cook spoke about the importance of this investment.
“The Bunbury and Peel region is growing strongly, and with that growth projected to continue, this is an opportune moment for us to secure the future of the Australind service,” he said.
“This investment will not only add to the reliability of the Australind service, it gives us significant scope to increase services in the future, giving residents in Peel and Bunbury more flexible travel options to and from Perth.”
Reliability of the previous Australind service was a critical issue, with the replacement coaches regularly brought into service due to disruptions and maintenance issues with the ageing trains.
With the Bunbury and Peel population continuing to grow strongly, the addition of two further trains will also allow for an increase in services in the future.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said with new Australind trains being built, this was an opportune moment to secure the future of this service and meet the growing need for more transport options into our South West region.
“The previous Australind service had critical issues with reliability, and these new trains will help to address that, as well as support an increase in services in the future,” she said.
Travelling through a range of Peel and South West towns, including Pinjarra, Waroona, Harvey and Bunbury, an increase in Australind services would support regional communities through more flexible and frequent services to Perth.
It would also help to boost local tourism and economies, with greater opportunity for Perth residents to take day trips into Peel and the South West.
The new Australind trains are scheduled to commence services in line with the reopening of the Armadale Train Line.
