Improved bus journey times for northern suburbs passengers

Northern suburbs bus passengers will experience quicker peak-hour travel when the Charles Street bus bridge and busway opens later this month.

The $32.1 million project saw the construction of a 120 metre bridge over the Graham Farmer Freeway, the creation of a new freeway off-ramp into Northbridge and 500 metres of new bus lanes on Charles Street.

As a result, more than a dozen bus routes from the northern suburbs will undergo changes.

All routes along Charles, Loftus and Newcastle streets will have improved journey times as a result of the opening of the bus bridge and associated priority lanes.

Loftus Street routes 402, 403 and 404 will be most affected by the changes with routes 15, 370, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 970 and 990 also undergoing changes.

In addition, changes will occur to routes 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 349, 365 372, 376, 377, 378, 379, 390, 450 and 461 as part of Transperth's regular network updates. 

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The new busway will open on June 25 and give northern suburbs commuters greater certainty and time savings getting to and from the CBD.

"The bridge and busway connects to the existing James Street bus bridge and delivers passengers directly to the Perth Busport, meaning they will no longer sit in city traffic.

"During peak hour, passengers from northern suburbs such as Wanneroo and Mirrabooka can expect to save up to six minutes per journey.

"About 16,000 passengers will travel over the new bus bridge each day.

"Public transport needs to be the convenient option and the McGowan Government will be pursuing more options to encourage commuters to make the switch.

"Transperth will this week launch a comprehensive education campaign about the changes, but I would still encourage northern suburbs bus passengers to check the Transperth website to have a look at how their routes and journey times will change."

Minister's office - 6552 5500