Perth-Bunbury Train Service Returns

Topic: Public Transport

The new trains cost $160 million, says Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

In short:

The train service between Perth and Bunbury starts again at the end of June.

The service connects WA's biggest regional city to its capital and has been stopped for nearly three years.

The WA government's $160m funding will introduce four new trains.

A train service linking Bunbury to Perth will restart in June after years of not working.

The old Australind train service was stopped in November 2023 for upgrades due to frequent breakdowns and delays.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti confirmed four new trains will service the Perth-Bunbury route, starting June 29.

The service will take two hours and 25 minutes, but talks are underway to make the route more efficient.

Three-car trains will be introduced in stages, with one starting June 29 and the others rolled out over coming months.

Initially, four return services will operate per week, increasing to two return services a day from early August.

It is hoped four return services will operate daily from January.

This work ensures the fleet meets the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance.

Bunbury MP Don Punch, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, and Collie-Preston MP Jodie Hanns

The community has been eagerly awaiting the announcement, says State Member for Bunbury Don Punch.

The train service is part of the heart and soul of our community, says Don Punch.

Long wait for locals

The $160 million project has been a long time coming for locals.

After closing in 2023, it was originally slated to reopen in 2025.

The older train en route from Bunbury to Perth in 2014.

The government then said it planned to reopen the line in the first quarter of 2026, but testing delayed the date.

We have been waiting two-and-a-half years for this, says opposition MP Steve Thomas.

Ms Saffioti said the delay was necessary, pointing to testing and the desire to assemble the cars locally.

The aging diesel train was plagued by mechanical issues.

I've never pushed time frames, I've pushed safety and quality, says Ms Saffioti.

We apologize for the delays but we either manufacture here in WA or buy them from somewhere else.

New trains, same route

The new trains feature contemporary interiors with LED lighting and in-seat USB charging.

The stopping pattern between Perth and Bunbury will remain unchanged.

Some bus services will continue until all four new trains are online.

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