In a major milestone for the METRONET program, the Australian and Western Australian governments have announced passenger train services on the new Yanchep Rail Extension will formally commence on Monday 15 July.
The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension project has extended the Joondalup Line 14.5 kilometres north from Butler, with three new stations built in Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.
The extended line will connect tens of thousands of people in the city’s growing northern corridor to Perth’s metropolitan rail network for the first time and help to develop activity centres by unlocking residential and commercial land.
Over recent months the rail line extension has been undergoing extensive testing and commissioning, with driver training set to commence next week.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook celebrated the announcement.
“METRONET is powering ahead this year, with transformative new rail lines, state-of-the-art new stations, and new locally-built trains all entering service,” he said.
“Alkimos and Eglington were WA’s largest growth areas last year, and METRONET will be a game-changer for local residents – slashing travel time and connecting our northern suburbs to the rest of the city.
“It’s part of our commitment to always do what’s right for WA, and setting up our city and our State for the long term.”
The Government has also announced the train line will be renamed the Yanchep Line. The line is currently known as the Joondalup Line – a name it has held since it was first constructed in 1992.
The extension has involved 41,085 sleepers and 90,000 tonnes of ballast, while three new fauna bridges are the first to be built over rail in Western Australia.
When passenger services start, it will be a 49-minute journey from Yanchep to Perth, a 46-minute journey from Eglinton to Perth and a 41-minute journey from Alkimos to Perth.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King explained the importance of work like this.
“Projects like the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension highlight the importance of the Australian and state governments working together to provide safer, faster and more efficient transport links,” she said.
“The extension will create social and economic benefits for locals commuting south and visitors who want to explore Perth’s beautiful northern suburbs.
“This project is part of the Australian Government’s $4.19 billion investment into METRONET, which includes an additional $1 billion commitment announced recently.”
The WA Government has also announced plans for a community celebration on Sunday 14 July, the day before passenger services commence.
The community celebration will include free sausage sizzles, food, entertainment and music, with further details on the event to be provided in the coming months.
The community will be able to make the most of the Cook Labor Government’s Fare Free Sundays, with public transport to be free for the day – as it is for every Sunday, with a valid SmartRider.
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said it is fantastic to lock in the completion of another critical METRONET project.
“Perth’s northern corridor is growing rapidly, and the new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep will connect thousands of people to our train network for the first time,” she said.
“People in this part of Perth have previously faced long journey times on public transport, sometimes multiple buses and a train just to reach the city. This new train line will significantly improve the way many people in our northern communities get around our city.
“METRONET is all about better connecting our city and our communities, and it’s fantastic to see so many projects reaching completion.
“Thanks to METRONET, someone living in Yanchep can now catch a train all the way to the airport – and pay nothing more than around $5 thanks to our two-zone fare cap. That wasn’t possible only a couple of years ago – and it highlights the immense community benefit of METRONET.
“To celebrate this major milestone, we will be holding a community event on Sunday July 14, which will include food, entertainment and live music, with the entire Perth community invited to come and see the new stations.”
The Yanchep Rail Extension will be the ninth METRONET project to be completed, with further projects including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, Byford Rail Extension, Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project all planned for completion by the middle of 2025.
The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments and forms part of the METRONET Corridor with a total Australian Government investment of $4.19 billion.
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