Plan ahead for free ANZAC Day Centenary travel

West Australians keen to pay their respects at this year’s ANZAC Day Centenary celebrations on April 25 will be able to travel for free on all Transperth services.

The State Government will provide free travel for all passengers to mark the 100th year of the Gallipoli landings, and commemorate the sacrifices of Australia’s brave servicemen and women.

Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes urged passengers to plan ahead and take the train to ensure they can appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime event.

“Because tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Dawn Service at King’s Park, Transperth has brought forward train and bus operating times, and we are strongly encouraging all passengers to plan ahead and catch the train as early as possible to avoid missing the service,” Mr Hynes said.

“Transperth will be running additional trains with extra capacity.  Perth-bound trains will begin operating from about 2.30 to 3.00am, depending on the line, with the first arriving in Perth just before 3.20am.”

Mr Hynes said this year’s public transport arrangements would differ from previous years.

“Because organisers are anticipating unprecedented crowds at the Dawn Service this year, the decision has been made to close Fraser Avenue to all traffic, including Transperth buses,” Mr Hynes said.

“That means shuttle bus passengers will be dropped at Kings Park Road (near Havelock Street), not inside Kings Park, as in previous years.

“Close to 150 shuttle buses will be in operation, ferrying passengers from Esplanade Busport to the ANZAC Dawn Service in Kings Park from 3.30am.

“Another bus, Route 621, will operate between the Vietnam War Memorial and the coach terminus near Wadjuk Way between 4am and approximately 9.30am.

“We’d urge any attendees with mobility difficulties to consider accessing Kings Park via this route, as there is a 10-minute walk from the shuttle bus terminus on Kings Park Drive to the war memorial.”

Passengers travelling into the city on the Fremantle, Midland, Armadale or Thornlie lines, will need to transfer to Perth Underground and catch the train to Esplanade Station. Those travelling on the Joondalup or Mandurah lines should exit at Esplanade to transfer to the busport.

Perth-bound trains on select services will begin operating just after 2.30am, with the first passengers arriving in the city from about 3.20am.

“Because this is a landmark occasion, we are anticipating large crowds, so please be patient, be polite to your fellow passengers, and embrace the Aussie spirit of mateship that our service personnel so strongly embody.

 The Transperth JourneyPlanner, available at www.transperth.wa.gov.au, can help you work out your best public transport options for the day.

Train services will run as follows:

• Midland Line – departing Midland every 10-minutes from 3.00am
• Armadale Line – departing Armadale every 15-minutes from 2.56am
• Thornlie Line – departing Thornlie every 15-minutes from 3.20am
• Fremantle Line – departing Fremantle at least every 10-minutes from 3.00am
• Mandurah Line – departing Mandurah every 10-minutes from 2.36am. A Cockburn Shuttle will run every 10-minutes from 3.52am.
• Joondalup Line – departing Butler Station at 2.42am, then every 10-minutes from 3.02am. The Whitfords Shuttle will operate every 10 minutes from 3.55am. 

Other than these specials, Transperth buses will operate as normal on a public holiday timetable. Ferries will operate on a Saturday timetable. There will be no additional buses or ferries.

For people travelling to the Fremantle Memorial Dawn Service, trains to Fremantle will depart Perth Station, Platform 7 every 10-15 minutes from 3.50am.

For timetable information or to find out more on Transperth services, passengers should visit the Transperth website, download the Transperth App or call the Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13.