TRANSWA TRAINS
Transwa operated 62 scheduled train services every week during 2006/07 covering four distinct services.
Between Perth and Bunbury, the Australind train operated 28 services per week. The Prospector operated 18 times a week (nine services each way) between East Perth and Kalgoorlie. The AvonLink operated 10 services a week from Northam and Toodyay to Midland on weekdays and the MerredinLink provided an all stops service between East Perth and Merredin and return each Monday, Wednesday and Friday (six services per week).
These services operated over approximately one million service kilometres.
The train fleet consists of 14 railcars made up of seven Prospector railcars, two AvonLink railcars and five Australind railcars.
Transwa employed 17 railcar operators based in Perth and Bunbury.
The on-board services on the Australind were provided by eight Bunbury based staff while a contractor provides the on-board services on the Prospector, AvonLink and MerredinLink.
THE YEAR’S DEVELOPMENTS
The reliability of the Prospector train continued to be a source of concern, though the service achieved some significant gains in serviceability in 2006/07. Transwa continued to work in close partnership with the manufacturer of the Prospector trains, United Group Rail, to ensure that issues affecting reliability were dealt with expeditiously.
Multiple carsets were used during periods of high demand which saw patronage increase by 7.4% during 2006/07. Optimum utilisation of railcars will continue in 2007/08.
The Australind train was part way through a major refurbishment program which began in the latter part of the 2005/06. This program is being implemented in stages to ensure the continuity of daily services. Work carried out in 2006/07 included upgrading of toilets, new carpets and improved lighting in the carriages, improved external visibility and improvements to the traction and car power supply systems.
While this refurbishment program is underway, the Australind will be limited in its capacity, as railcars are taken out of service temporarily. It is expected that this will continue to affect overall patronage numbers until the program is completed. The program will be substantially completed during 2007/08.
The AvonLink service was bolstered by the innovative “Spring in the Avon” Sunday departures during September, October and November 2006. A highlight of the initiative was the very high level of customer satisfaction with the service. More than 97% of passengers surveyed were pleased with their experience and 85% said that they would undertake the journey again. The support for the AvonLink in general improved, with 13% improvement in patronage in 2006/07 (including the “Spring in the Avon” patronage).
1. Patronage
Patronage on Transwa train services increased by 4.5% compared with the previous year, which equates to nearly 10,000 additional passenger trips.
Significant patronage increases were achieved on the Prospector (7.4%) and AvonLink (13%). The AvonLink figures include the “Spring in the Avon” patronage of 945 passengers which accounts for 5.8% of the growth. A 2% increase in the Australind patronage was particularly pleasing because it occurred despite limited railcar availability due to the refurbishment program.
The MerredinLink declined by just over 800 passenger trips (10%).
2. Passenger Satisfaction
Again in 2006/07, Transwa rail services achieved commendable levels of customer satisfaction. The Australind and AvonLink/MerredinLink trains led the way with 91% and 87% respective satisfaction among their customers. The Prospector satisfaction levels improved to 85%.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Planning is underway to complete the upgrade of all train stations to high level platforms. Construction of new stations at Meckering and Doodlakine was nearing completion at year’s end.