New rail cars, a radio renewal program and funding commitments for long term projects are all included for the rail industry in WA’s state Budget, announced on Thursday.
State treasurer Mike Nahan said the government recognised the importance of public transport.
“The public transport network plays a critical role in efficiently transporting people and reducing congestion on Perth roads,” Nahan said in his Budget speech.
“In recognition of this, the 2015/16 Budget contains a significant investment in public transport.”
WA will spend $104.4 million on 21 new railcars and 105 Transperth buses in 2015/16.
The government has also committed an undisclosed level of funding to undertake necessary planning for the new C-series railcars, as part of the state’s ten-year program to procure 300 railcars between 2018 and 2028, at a total cost of $1.2 billion.
Nahan also committed $53.4 million over the forward estimates for the Public Transport Authority’s radio replacement project, which is being conducted due to the planned closure of the analogue spectrum by 2020.
$18.7 million will go to the Transperth Rail Resilience Package, a program designed to reduce the likelihood of “infrastructure-related incidents,” while also improving network reliability and safety.
Finally, Nahan committed $45.5 million towards the $2 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link – a rail project which is planned to deliver a 20 minute rail journey to the airport for citizens living in Perth’s eastern suburbs, by 2020.
The Forrestfield-Airport is expected to create 2000 jobs during construction, which is due to start in 2016, Nahan said.
The treasurer said the project, and other infrastructure initiatives, were vital as WA transitions from its largest ever investment and construction phase to a production and export phase.
“There’s no doubt our eastern suburbs communities will also enjoy improved facilities and liveability,” he added.
“The Gateway WA [road] project will revolutionise key transport routes around the Perth Airport and important industrial areas, and the Forrestfield-Airport Link will accelerate the development of the eastern suburbs and give them easy access to the city.”