Perth commuters will finally be able to take a train to the airport, after the state and federal governments launched the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport link, two years late.
Key points:
- The project has been jointly funded with $1.37 billion in state funds and $490 million in federal funds
- It was originally scheduled to open in 2020, but was pushed back several times
- Fees are capped at $5
The new train line, one of six planned as part of Metronet, joins the existing rail network at Bayswater station, with three new stations built at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe.
Premier Anthony Albanese was one of the first passengers to take the inaugural journey from High Wycombe station along with WA Premier Mark McGowan, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and 40 people who won the ‘opportunity to join them.
“[This] is one of six new rail lines transforming the way this great global city of Perth operates, making it easier for people to get around,” said Albanese.
“At the same time, of course, we’ve seen the creation of thousands of jobs as a direct result of this project.”
Speaking from Perth International Airport, Premier Anthony Albanese said the new rail line would transform the city. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
Future proof in the city
The new line adds 8.5 kilometers to Perth’s rail network and travels beneath the Swan River and Perth Airport, reaching around 27 meters underground at its deepest point.
Part of the rail tunnel leading to Perth Airport. (Supplied: State Govt.)
Fares will be capped at $5 with 20,000 daily rides expected in the first year.
McGowan said the project was aimed at future proofing Perth.
“This is a historic day. This will be a piece of infrastructure that will last for centuries,” he said.
“The six rail lines we are building are built at a fraction of the cost of a single rail line in Sydney or Melbourne.
“This project means you can go from the city to the airport for $5 … and $5 back to the city. In Sydney it costs you $20.
“And of course the people of High Wycombe and Redcliffe, and all the surrounding eastern suburbs will also have access to a state-of-the-art train line.”
Premier Mark McGowan has defended the two-year delay in completing the project. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
Sinkholes, sandy soil and shortage of supplies
The jointly funded project has been almost ten years in the making, first announced by the Barnett Government in 2013 and construction starting in late 2016.
The incoming McGowan government included the airport link in its Metronet plan in 2017, but was forced to push back the opening date by two years.
Perth Airport station, one of three new stations to be built. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
He attributed the delays to a range of issues, including a water leak that caused a spill, workplace safety issues, labor shortages and supply disruptions as a result of the pandemic.
“Obviously there were difficulties because of the supply chain issues caused by COVID and all the issues that affected the global economy because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” McGowan said.
“Also some of the technical difficulties because we were tunneling through sandy soil, but the great thing is that it’s open now.”
The new High Wycombe station will have 1,200 passenger car spaces. (ABC News: David Weber)
The first weekday service will depart Perth Station at 5.12am on Monday and arrive at Airport Central Station at 5.30am.
Trains will run until around midnight, and later on Friday and Saturday nights.
There will be 1200 parking spaces for commuters at High Wycombe station and 500 spaces at Redcliffe station for $2 a day.
The project will provide a new rail service to Perth’s eastern suburbs, with three new stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe. (Supplied: WA Government)
The opposition criticizes the government as “menus”
Opposition Metronet spokesman Tjorn Sibma welcomed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but criticized the government over the budget and time bursts at Metronet.
“The scope of the project has increased,” he said.
“Metronet has gone from a $3 billion project to a $10 billion project over five years and the minister [Saffioti] refuses to answer questions about why that is.”
Opposition Metronet spokesman Tjorn Sibma has criticized the government for not inviting former premier Colin Barnett to the launch. (ABC News: Kenneth Png)
Sibma said if the government had approached Metronet in stages, hiccups beyond its control would have had less of an impact.
“Covid, war in Ukraine, supply shortages – [the government] they made life difficult for themselves by being so naive and opportunistic to try to build everything at once.”
He also accused the government of being “mechanical” for not inviting former prime minister Colin Barnett to the inauguration.
“It showed a lack of gratitude and class, it wouldn’t have cost them anything, but it’s absolutely emblematic of this government, which halfway through its second term, is cutting the cord on projects devised by Colin Barnett.”