PUBLIC transport users could shave more than 45 minutes off their travel time if a bus connection between Armadale Station and Cockburn Central goes ahead.
Transport Minister Simon O’Brien visited Armadale last Wednesday and told Comment News a trial connection would be needed before a permanent bus link between the Armadale train station and Cockburn along Armadale Road could be approved.
Canning MHR Don Randall called for the bus link in a letter to the Minister two weeks ago.
During his visit, Mr O’Brien said the transport link was already part of the Public Transport Authority’s planning for future routes.
“It is actually being considered by the PTA,” Mr O’Brien said.
“But until we test the market we can’t rule it in or out.”
He felt a trial of six to 12 months, supported by good advertising, would be necessary to see if a permanent bus link would be sustainable.
Mr Randall said the public transport link was becoming a necessity.
“A bus service between Armadale station and Cockburn Central would provide local residents with a quicker and more direct route to Mandurah, Perth and the northern suburbs,” he said.
“It only takes around 15 minutes to get from Armadale to Cockburn Central along Armadale Road, yet passengers are being forced to spend more than an hour on a round trip via Perth.
“Perth’s southern suburbs form a major growth corridor so it’s almost nonsensical that public transport users, many of them elderly pensioners, are required to backtrack 40km to Perth to access the Mandurah line just to travel back almost past their own homes again.”
Mr Randall said a regular and direct link would cater for locals wanting to day-trip to Mandurah, commuters working south of the river, and those living in Forrestdale and Huntingdale areas who need a more efficient route.
“With the population of Harrisdale and Piara Waters rapidly growing, soon to be followed by Wungong, there is increasing pressure on public transport and a strong need to improve services,” he said.
Mr Randall said he was confident a feasibility study would show sufficient demand for the service.
The City of Armadale had recently had bus routes extended from Murdoch Station to the outskirts of Harrisdale and Piara Waters, he said.