Take a break from driving, try a bus or train

A $1.25 million campaign aimed at attracting more people to the public transport network was unveiled today, encouraging motorists to take a break from driving and try the bus or train instead.

It aims to attract new and lapsed users to the award-winning network.

Though Transperth services are consistently well rated by existing passengers (about nine in 10 regular users say they are either very satisfied or satisfied with their journeys), patronage was falling on the Transperth network.

Recent data shows the decline in public transport use that started in 2013 has been reversed, with 2018 experiencing a 0.74 per cent increase in overall patronage. However, the figures are still lower than the State Government would like.

Transperth's own research has shown there are many myths about public transport that are busted once people use the service. 

More than 2,200 people were surveyed by Transperth on their public transport use, and about 70 per cent said limited or expensive parking was their main motivator for using public transport. 

In addition to the advertising campaign, the State Government is working to make public transport even easier by developing a new Transperth app and upgrading the SmartRider system to potentially enable debit card and smartphone tag-on capabilities from 2021.

To view the new campaign, which will air from February 3, visit https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/using-transperth