Western Australian commuters can catch a train straight to the airport after the state and federal governments launched the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link, following a two-year delay.
The train line, which is one of six planned for Perth’s Metronet, joins the rail network at Baywater station, with three new stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe.
Anthony Albanese was one of the first passengers to take the journey from High Wycombe Station along with Mark McGowan, WA transport minister Rita Saffioti and 40 people who won the chance to join them.
“[This] is one of six new rail lines transforming the way that this great global city of Perth operates, making it easier for people to get around,” Albanese said.
“At the same time of course we’ve seen thousands of jobs created as a direct result of this project.”
Train fares will be capped at $5, with approximately 20,000 daily trips expected in the first year of operation.
The WA Premier said the project is aimed at future-proofing Perth.
“This is an historic day. This will be a piece of infrastructure that lasts for centuries to come,” he said.
“The six rail lines we’re building are built at a fraction of the cost of a single rail line in Sydney or Melbourne.
“This project means that 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 have access to a state-of-the-art rail line as well.”
The project has been in the works for almost ten years, with it falling two years behind due to a number of issues a sinkhole, workplace safety concerns, labour shortages and supply disruptions from the pandemic, per the ABC.
“There was obviously difficulties because of supply chain issues brought on by COVID and all of the issues that affected the world economy because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” McGowan said.
“Also some of the technical difficulties because of the fact that we were tunnelling through sandy soil, but the great thing is it’s now open.”
The train’s first weekday service left Perth Station at 5:12 am this morning and arrived at the Airport Central station at 5:30 am. The service will run until about midnight, with later trains on Friday and Saturday.
Featured Image: Forrestfield-Airport link (WA Government)
