Biggest planned rail disruptions in Perth’s history

Over the next couple of months, there will be two periods of temporary disruption to Perth’s train services to allow essential work to take place on the Perth City Link project. 

Launching a public awareness campaign about the rail shutdowns, Transperth spokesman David Hynes said they would run from July 12 to July 17, and again from July 31 to August 4.

“The first round of shuts starts at 7pm on Friday July 12 and runs to the last service on Wednesday July 17, with normal services resuming the following morning,” he said.

“This will allow the new Fremantle Line tunnel to be connected to the Transperth rail network.”

 During the five-day shut, Midland and Armadale line trains will terminate at McIver on weekdays and Claisebrook on weekends.  Joondalup and Mandurah trains will terminate at Leederville and Esplanade respectively, while the entire Fremantle Line will be closed.

Mr Hynes said the planned disruptions were the biggest in Transperth’s history.

“There is simply no other way to get the Fremantle Line up and running through the tunnel than to close these parts of the network while the work is being undertaken,” he said.

“We urge our passengers to be patient and plan ahead during this time.”

My Hynes said by the end of the first shut, passengers would be able to see the tangible benefit of the first round of closures.

“On Thursday July 18, trains will travel through the new Fremantle Line tunnel.”

The second disruption runs from 3pm on Wednesday July 31 through until the last service on Sunday August 4.

Again, Joondalup and Mandurah line passengers will be able to travel on the train only as far as Leederville and Esplanade stations respectively. 

The Fremantle Line again will be closed, but this shut will have no impact to the Midland, Thornlie and Armadale lines.

“Planning around these closures has been very thorough. This is not a decision we make lightly – it has to be done – so we are putting a lot of effort into minimising the impact and letting people know what is happening.”

 A major communications program to passengers will be launched tomorrow to advise weekday commuters and other train users, businesses, local governments, schools and universities, sporting, senior and disability groups how to get around during the shuts.

He said people should start planning now for the disruptions. 

“Transperth will have replacement buses running during the closure, but there will be some delays, so passengers should plan their journeys and allow for additional travel time.

“We are asking that people consider staggering their work start and finish times, take some flexi time, carpool, ride your bike to work, or even take some leave during the shuts.”

Click here to download a fact sheet.

Click here to download the information boards.