Premier Roger Cook (centre) rides a train after the opening of the delayed Thornlie-Cockburn Line. Photo: Roger Cook Facebook.
Two new METRONET rail lines in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs have been officially opened, up to four years behind schedule.
The new Thornlie-Cockburn Line was to have opened in 2021, but the need to relocate existing infrastructure, including a freight line and an oil pipeline, saw the schedule blow out and costs almost double to nearly $800 million.
The 17-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Line is the first east-west cross-line connection in Perth. It includes new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road and major upgrades to the Thornlie, Cockburn Central, and Perth Stadium stations.
Some 1400 parking spaces have been created across the three stations, and more than 20 new bus routes have been added to support connectivity to the line.
Connecting to the Thornlie-Cockburn Line is a new eight-kilometre-long elevated inner section of the Armadale Line. So far, five stations are operational, at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park, Cannington and Beckenham, while works around the stations will be completed by the end of the year.
Additional work on the Armadale Line will soon be finished with the completion of the new Armadale and Byford stations and the reopening of Sherwood, Challis, Kelmscott, Seaforth, Gosnells, Maddington and Kenwick stations.
Premier Roger Cook said METRONET had transformed the face of Perth by making travel more affordable and removing cars from the roads.
“We know how important our expanded public transport network will be in the coming years with Western Australia’s booming economy and growing population,” he said.
“That’s why my government is delivering more affordable and accessible transport options – whether through our commitment to halve Transwa fares, cap Transperth fares at one zone or expand our ferry network with new stops along the Swan River.
“Through the new METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Line and stations on the inner Armadale Line, we are giving people in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs more travel choices, addressing road congestion, and stimulating land development to help deliver well-planned and more liveable communities.
“These projects aren’t just about infrastructure, they’re about connecting people and creating opportunities and vibrant communities.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said projects such as the Thornlie-Cockburn Line and the wider METRONET program highlighted the importance of the partnership between the federal and state governments.
“WA’s first major elevated line through Victoria Park and Canning will boost growth and accessibility in the south-eastern suburbs and provide easier access to employment opportunities,” she said.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti added: “This new line will deliver a significant boost to the resilience of our rail network, connect tens of thousands of people to a train line for the first time and provide a direct connection to Optus Stadium for people on the Mandurah Line.
“Today, we also mark the opening of eight kilometres of elevated rail on the inner section of the Armadale Line and five new incredible stations.
“Both of these projects have been critical job creators and boosted our local economy, while the new train lines will serve our communities for decades to come.”
