New bus shelter for Ellenbrook

A new bus shelter is being installed by the State Government on Main Street in Ellenbrook.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said in a first for Perth, the bus shelter would have an in-built feature allowing a small number of commuters to park their bicycles at the bus stop and catch the bus.
 
The shelter will be owned and maintained by the City of Swan.
 
“This location was chosen because it is well-connected to bike paths in a high-traffic area which provides security, and it is close to homes,” Mr Nalder said.
 
The trial is being conducted at two locations - Canning Highway, Melville and Ellenbrook - to assess whether the shelters are useful.
 
The Minister said the design incorporated u-rails to which bicycles could be locked.
 
“West Australians are already taking advantage of bike shelters and u-rails at train stations and now the concept is being trialled for bus commuters,” he said.
 
“We are extending this concept to the bus network. This will encourage commuters to reconsider the way they travel and perhaps try alternatives to driving.”
 
Mr Nalder said Transperth did not allow passengers to travel on buses with bicycles, so a system to allow commuters to secure their bike at a bus stop was a possible solution.
 
“It’s simply not practical or fair on other passengers to permit bikes on buses - particularly in peak hour.  We have listened to passenger feedback and have developed the new bus shelters to provide cyclists with easier access to bus services,” the Minister said.
 
Fact File

• There are more than 2,650 bike parking spaces at metropolitan train stations
• This is part of the Government’s plan to create an integrated transport system which gives West Australians a choice of transport options to get to and from work, leisure and other destinations
• The Government has announced a $72.1m investment in cycling infrastructure over the next four years and supports the increased use of cycling as a transport mode
• The Public Transport Authority and the WA Local Government Association have signed an agreement to work together to plan and maintain bus shelters and bus stops across Perth and the Peel