The smartest ride to the Royal Show

West Australians are invited to take a free train or bus to the IGA Perth Royal Show on the public holiday on Monday, September 28.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the State Government was providing free public transport across the greater metropolitan area on the Queen's Birthday public holiday.

The decision, in support of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA and making the outing more affordable for families, benefits people planning to attend on what is traditionally one of the show's biggest days.

Mr Nalder said catching public transport to the show was the smart way to avoid parking and traffic challenges.

For those who plan to attend the show on a different day, it's still well worth catching Transperth services.  A Family Rider cash ticket costs $12.10 for up to two standard full fares and five concession holders.  Plus, children four years and under travel free and get free entry into the show.

The show runs from September 26 to October 3 at the Claremont Showgrounds.  Last year there were more than 2.5 million passenger boardings on Transperth buses and trains during show week.

"It is consistently the busiest single week on the Transperth network each year and it's easy to see why.  With a dedicated special events station located at the showgrounds, there is no better, more affordable, or more convenient way to get to the show than by using public transport," Mr Nalder said.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston urged the community to support the show, which had grown from a small cattle and trade fair 180 years ago to an event attracting up to 450,000 people.

"Children have an opportunity to get their hands dirty in the mini laboratory where they can extract DNA from strawberries. Or they can watch cows being milked six times a day, ride a pint-sized tractor, find out about drones or cheer on Australia's fastest woodchoppers," Mr Baston said.

The free travel day will be in place across the Transperth system (bus, train and ferry) on September 28, so there is no need to tag on or buy a cash ticket.

For more information, visit www.transperth.wa.gov.au

Fact File

• During the 2014 Royal Show, there were an average of 633,047 passenger boardings on the Transperth system each week day
• More than 950,000 rail boardings and 1.5 million bus boardings were recorded during the show period
• Show tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.perthroyalshow.com.au