❓ Shadow Minister Ripper questions Premier Barnett on bus purchases, replacement schedules, and the use of parking levy funds for additional CAT buses to address overcrowding. Barnett acknowledges the CAT system's success and future considerations for expansion.
AnsweredQoN 190Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METROPOLITAN BUS PURCHASES — PERTH PARKING LEVY
(1) Of the 65 buses the Premier is purchasing this year, is he aware that they simply replace 65 buses that are retired each year, a replacement process that has been occurring for the past decade? (2) When will the Premier order additional buses over and above the bus replacement contract to provide services to those suburbs that do not have an adequate bus service at the moment? (3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT
(1) Of the 65 buses the Premier is purchasing this year, is he aware that they simply replace 65 buses that are retired each year, a replacement process that has been occurring for the past decade? (2) When will the Premier order additional buses over and above the bus replacement contract to provide services to those suburbs that do not have an adequate bus service at the moment? (3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(2) When will the Premier order additional buses over and above the bus replacement contract to provide services to those suburbs that do not have an adequate bus service at the moment? (3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(2) When will the Premier order additional buses over and above the bus replacement contract to provide services to those suburbs that do not have an adequate bus service at the moment? (3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(3) Given that the Premier has $17 million in surplus funds sitting in the Perth parking levy war chest and that there is overcrowding on the CAT buses every single day at peak times, when will he order more additional CAT buses to reduce this congestion? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
(1)–(3) The central area transit buses in the city were a wonderful achievement of a previous Liberal–National government—an example of excellent, forward thinking in inner-city public transport. It has been successful. People are having difficulty at the moment because — Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Two of them! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is ungracious. The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
The CAT system is a good system, and there has been discussion about extending it into the near inner-city suburbs, and I think that proposition has a lot of merit. Obviously, people using the service are frustrated at the moment because of City of Perth works to narrow the streets and widen the footpaths; many people object to this. I think it will be terrific, and that the City of Perth is doing an excellent job in smartening up the central areas of the city. If more CAT buses are needed—they probably will be in time—we will look at that situation. As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
As to the 65 buses, the contract signed last year was for 650 buses over a 10-year period. I do not know the delivery schedule. Maybe the Minister for Transport knows that or he could give us some advice about that at some later stage. Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr E.S. Ripper : They are only replacements. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition says that they are only replacements, but it depends on the rate at which they come on stream, does it not? There is an order for 650 buses. I do not know the exact numbers, but, within that figure, there would be a provision for growth. The system is expanding, not contracting.
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