Further boost for Transperth car park security

15/12/03

The State Government is continuing its commitment of making public transport the preferred mode of travel with the introduction of patrolled car parks at suburban railway stations.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said from today, six Transperth railway stations would have Pay 'n' Display car parks with roving patrols.

"Commuters at Currambine, Edgewater, Midland, Stirling, Warwick and Whitfords will be able to park in fenced areas that will be patrolled between 7am and 9pm by parking attendants," Ms MacTiernan said.

"This timeframe covers virtually all our commuter patrons, for whom our car parks are primarily designed.

"In accordance with the results of a passenger survey, free parking will still be available at all these stations, but admission to the patrolled areas will be $1.

"Because a patrolling officer is the most effective security presence, our officers will be encouraged to be visible as much as possible. They will be on duty every day except weekends and public holidays.

"This is the second instalment of a TrainSafe initiative that will eventually see secure parking at 17 major stations across the network."

Last month, Lock 'n' Ride locked compound parking was introduced at Bayswater, Cannington, Glendalough, Maddington and Queens Park, and a locked compound had been operating successfully at Kenwick since April, 2002.

Lock 'n' Rides would be set up at Fremantle and North Fremantle by late this year or early 2004, and would be part of major station upgrades at Bassendean, Gosnells and Armadale.

The Lock 'n' Ride car parks are fenced areas which are securely locked between 9am and 3.30pm each weekday. There is no cost to use the compound, but a release fee is charged if the gates have to be unlocked to release a vehicle between 9am and 3.30pm.

Privately-operated pay-and-display parking areas had been operating at Edgewater and Warwick on the northern line since 1995. These were the only such car parks on the Transperth system.

Ms MacTiernan said station security would be further boosted when Transperth's central monitoring room became operational early next year.

"By then, most of our network will be monitored using a highly-efficient, digitally-based camera system," she said.

"The end result will be a minimal response time because our central monitoring room will be in direct radio contact with our own Transit Guards - both mobile and station-based - and the police.

"The SmartRider card ticketing system, which will be introduced late next year, will add a further layer of security.

"Fare gates will be installed at major stations across the network, and these will be staffed at all times trains are running."