Six-month trial for extended weekend train service

The State Government will trial a free 4am weekend train service for six months from November to increase transport options for people travelling home in the early hours of the morning.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the trial was in response to the Facebook campaign started in April which resulted in a meeting in May with the campaign’s creators, Seb Brodie and Scott Brosens.

“It’s important that the Government utilise our resources in the best way possible to provide services that people want, and it was put to me that thousands of West Australians want later train services on the weekend,” Mr Buswell said.

“As a result, Transperth will trial a 4am train on Saturday and Sunday mornings from November until April on all train lines, when we’ll evaluate its success and make a decision on future services.”

The Minister said the trial was supported by the WA Nightclubs Association, which had proactively pursued such an initiative, as well as the WA Taxi Council.

“This is all about providing options for those people who wish to travel after 2am, and undoubtedly a lot of these people will be heading home from pubs and nightclubs in Northbridge or other popular nightspots,” he said.

“In particular, I hope the 4am service will be used by people who may otherwise resort to measures like sleeping in Northbridge or the illegal and incredibly dangerous option of drink driving.” 

Mr Buswell said the current latest train service at 2.15am would run at 2am when the 4am service was introduced.

“Currently the 2.15am trains are free of charge, and during the trial both the 2am and 4am services will be free.”