Perth Busport design revealed

The final design for Perth’s new state-of-the-art underground busport has been unveiled.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the $209 million Perth Busport in the CBD would have a strong emphasis on passenger comfort and would operate like an airport passenger lounge.

“It will be among the best in the world when complete in 2016,” Mr Nalder said.

“Passengers will be able to access the busport from three separate entrances at ground level and connect seamlessly to Perth City Link.”

The station is spilt over two levels.  Lifts, stairs and escalators will connect passengers from the ground-level entry points to the underground, 16-stand, fully air-conditioned lounge level, which will have about 160 seats.  Large screens will provide passengers with up-to-date service information, including stand locations and departure times.

“Perth Busport will accommodate 50 per cent more bus movements than its predecessor because of the airport-style Dynamic-Stand-Management System,” the Minister said.

“The system allocates each bus to a stand between two to five minutes before departing the busport.  Screens at each entrance and throughout the facility will notify passengers where their service will leave from.”

The lounge area is divided into four sections, each with four stands.  Bus services to specific areas (north, east, south, west) will generally operate from the same section.  Therefore passengers will generally wait in the section their service typically leaves from, and only have to walk to one of four gates located closely together.

Mr Nalder said plans for a second bus entrance to the Perth Busport from Wellington Street were still being assessed by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.

“The Wellington Street entrance is a congestion-busting device that will become an important part of keeping traffic and people moving through the city,” he said.

In addition to regular consultation with local government and approving authorities, a Perth Busport Accessibility and Inclusion Reference Group has been created to discuss the project and offer advice on how to best cater for passengers with different needs.

Fact File

• Extending from Perth Station to Perth Arena, the Perth City Link project will reconnect the city centre with Northbridge for the first time in more than 100 years