New road coaches for regional passengers
Transwa passengers will soon be travelling in new state-of-the-art road coaches, thanks to a $15.1 million State Government Royalties for Regions investment.
In total the Government will invest $16.3 million in the project that will see the current fleet replaced with 23 new road coaches over the next three years, with $1.2 million coming from the resale of the existing road coaches.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said a contract had recently been signed with joint venture partners Volvo Buses Australia and Irizar to replace the existing decade-old Transwa fleet.
"Transwa operates regional road coach services to more than 240 towns across the State, from Kalbarri in the north, inland to places such as Meekatharra and Kalgoorlie-Boulder and south to Esperance and Albany," Mr Nalder said.
"Given the size of our State, most Transwa journeys average six hours, so these new road coaches will deliver the very best of passenger comforts with state-of-the-art seating, on-board entertainment as well as USB charging ports."
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Royalties for Regions initiative would improve road coach services for people living, working and travelling in regional communities.
"This Government is committed to supporting the people of our regions and connecting towns through public transport," Mr Redman said.
"Connecting communities through public transport will help build a stronger economy and better quality of life in the State's regions."
All the road coaches will be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ensuring they are accessible to all passengers.
Fact File
- There were almost 200,000 boardings on Transwa road coaches in 2013-14
- For more information on Royalties for Regions projects, visit Bigger Picture - Regions