❓ Mr. Tinley questions the cancellation of Bus Route 381, focusing on its impact on students and lack of consultation. The Minister defends the decision based on poor patronage and resource allocation, highlighting alternative transport options.
AnsweredQoN 5448Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the impending cancellation of Bus Route 381 and ask: (a) can the minister explain why this service is being withdrawn due to 'poor patronage' including statistics on the number of passengers using this service, inclusive of students and other concessional boardings; (b) was the alleged impact this withdrawal will have on students enrolled in the 'Gifted and Talented' programs, at the John Curtin College of the Arts taken into consideration when making this decision, and if not, why not; (c) was any consultation held with the school community regarding this proposal, and if not, why not; (d) does the Minister know how many extra car trips will be generated in order to transport students to and from the College once this service has been withdrawn, and if not, why not; and (e) is the Minister prepared to reconsider this decision, and attend the school in person to discuss alternative public transport options for affected students and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2016
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
36 days
(a) The service is being withdrawn due to poor patronage, noting that the route operates a 26 kilometre service between Karrinyup Bus Station and Fremantle station over what is essentially a one sided passenger catchment.
The morning service, departing from Karrinyup Bus Station at 7.10am, averages 20 passengers, representing 0.78 passengers per service kilometre (May 2016 figure, during school term). The afternoon service, departing Fremantle station at 5.10pm, averages five passengers, representing 0.21 passengers per service kilometre (May 2016). Please note that an average May figure has been provided to ensure that a fair representation of patronage rather than a figure provided as at 11 May 2016.
(b) Transperth considers the impact to all passengers when making a decision to rationalise or withdraw its services. Decisions are generally based on ensuring the best use of Transperth’s finite budget.
(c) Transperth does not generally consult with school communities when making service changes as most schools desire higher levels of service than is reasonably practical, efficient or economical for the State to provide.
(d) Student travel will largely be catered for with the provision of School Special 707 which has been advertised to the community alongside advice of the Route 381 withdrawal. It is, therefore, expected that the number of additional car trips generated will be minimal. This service caters for the overwhelming majority of students currently using the 381 morning service and has been timed to enable John Curtin students to travel. It should also be noted that Bus Routes 27, 81, 82, 83, 84, 410, 421, 423 and 990 have all experienced service improvements making them more attractive options than the infrequent Route 381 bus service
(e) Resources saved by removing the highly inefficient Route 381 bus service will be simultaneously reinvested (in the form of peak trips) into the Route 24, 27 and 28 bus services. These routes carry significantly higher levels of patronage, through more densely populated areas. Parents can access advice on alternative services, including the School Special 707 which caters for John Curtin students, on the Transperth website.
The morning service, departing from Karrinyup Bus Station at 7.10am, averages 20 passengers, representing 0.78 passengers per service kilometre (May 2016 figure, during school term). The afternoon service, departing Fremantle station at 5.10pm, averages five passengers, representing 0.21 passengers per service kilometre (May 2016). Please note that an average May figure has been provided to ensure that a fair representation of patronage rather than a figure provided as at 11 May 2016.
(b) Transperth considers the impact to all passengers when making a decision to rationalise or withdraw its services. Decisions are generally based on ensuring the best use of Transperth’s finite budget.
(c) Transperth does not generally consult with school communities when making service changes as most schools desire higher levels of service than is reasonably practical, efficient or economical for the State to provide.
(d) Student travel will largely be catered for with the provision of School Special 707 which has been advertised to the community alongside advice of the Route 381 withdrawal. It is, therefore, expected that the number of additional car trips generated will be minimal. This service caters for the overwhelming majority of students currently using the 381 morning service and has been timed to enable John Curtin students to travel. It should also be noted that Bus Routes 27, 81, 82, 83, 84, 410, 421, 423 and 990 have all experienced service improvements making them more attractive options than the infrequent Route 381 bus service
(e) Resources saved by removing the highly inefficient Route 381 bus service will be simultaneously reinvested (in the form of peak trips) into the Route 24, 27 and 28 bus services. These routes carry significantly higher levels of patronage, through more densely populated areas. Parents can access advice on alternative services, including the School Special 707 which caters for John Curtin students, on the Transperth website.
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