The Rail Growth Plan sets out the PTA’s long-term strategy for the evolution of the existing Perth metropolitan passenger rail network through to 2051.
The Perth and Peel Region has experienced rapid population growth in recent years. Over the next three decades significant further growth is expected as the city increases in population by about 1.5 million towards a city of 3.5 million people. During this time, rail patronage is expected to triple.
The Rail Growth Plan (RGP) is the Public Transport Authority’s (PTA’s) response to the forecast population and patronage growth and forms the long-term strategy for the evolution of the existing Perth metropolitan passenger rail network through to 2051. The RGP sets the framework to make the best use of existing rail assets and guide staged improvements and future investment in order to continue to meet long-term passenger needs. The RGP brings together and builds upon State Government planning and studies undertaken by the PTA, as well as drawing on transport industry best practice from around the world.
The objectives of the Rail Growth Plan are to:
- Provide sufficient capacity on the rail network
- Meet increased dependency on public transport
- Integrate Government land use policies with transport planning
The strategy does this by:
- Identifying the future rail network, responding to forecast increases in population, State Policy and government initiatives such as METRONET;
- Forecasting patronage on each of the rail lines and the travel needs
- Proposing an operating rail plan, such as timetabling changes and allocating rollingstock (trains) to meet forecast patronage requirements;
- Identifying the infrastructure investment needed to deliver the operating plan; and
- Considering issues and flow on effects from implementation.
The PTA considers the Rail Growth Plan as fundamental for planning the required investment in the rail network to 2051 and beyond. The RGP facilitates the consideration of long-term objectives in the decision-making of the PTA and the advice it provides to Government. The recommendations and supporting evidence contained in the RGP will form a key part of the future investment and operational planning, assist in preparing investment proposals, support decision making, and achieve staged improvements to the rail network over future years.