❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the Minister for Transport regarding the removal of express train services, particularly concerning the Armadale line and potential impacts on other lines. The Minister's response clarifies the PTA's current policy of operating only all-stops services, citing increased frequency as a benefit.
AnsweredQoN 1097Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Rail network—Express services1097.Hon Steve Martinto
theparliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Transport:I refer to the minister's
answer to question on notice 667 confirming that the new reopened Armadale
train line service is running no express routes at all, which said in part:… analysis of the effectiveness
of express services across all lines has shown that they have limited benefits …(1)
Is the state government considering the removal of express services across
other lines and, if so, which lines?(2) Will the minister rule out removing existing
express services from the other lines?(3) What is the impact in travel time for a person
taking an express service from Armadale station to Perth in 2022 compared with
an all-stops service now?(4) When were Armadale line passengers first told
that the previous express services would be scrapped?(5) Can the minister table the Public Transport
Authority's analysis of the "limited benefits" of express services?
theparliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Transport:I refer to the minister's
answer to question on notice 667 confirming that the new reopened Armadale
train line service is running no express routes at all, which said in part:… analysis of the effectiveness
of express services across all lines has shown that they have limited benefits …(1)
Is the state government considering the removal of express services across
other lines and, if so, which lines?(2) Will the minister rule out removing existing
express services from the other lines?(3) What is the impact in travel time for a person
taking an express service from Armadale station to Perth in 2022 compared with
an all-stops service now?(4) When were Armadale line passengers first told
that the previous express services would be scrapped?(5) Can the minister table the Public Transport
Authority's analysis of the "limited benefits" of express services?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 November 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Samantha Rowe replied:I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.(1)–(5) The PTA no longer operates any
limited-stop train services as part of its standard metropolitan timetable. Limited-stop
patterns were abolished on the Mandurah and Yanchep lines in early 2016, and on
the Midland and Fremantle lines in 2019. Limited-stop services only operate for
some special events, and these operate as required. Limited-stop services
provide less service overall to the stations being skipped, and it was found they
generally catch up to the service in front of it. Moving to "all stops"
running has led to an increase in frequency at stations across the network. For
example, frequency at intermediate stations on the Midland line has increased
from every 20 minutes in peak to every 12 minutes.
Rail network—Express services
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.(1)–(5) The PTA no longer operates any
limited-stop train services as part of its standard metropolitan timetable. Limited-stop
patterns were abolished on the Mandurah and Yanchep lines in early 2016, and on
the Midland and Fremantle lines in 2019. Limited-stop services only operate for
some special events, and these operate as required. Limited-stop services
provide less service overall to the stations being skipped, and it was found they
generally catch up to the service in front of it. Moving to "all stops"
running has led to an increase in frequency at stations across the network. For
example, frequency at intermediate stations on the Midland line has increased
from every 20 minutes in peak to every 12 minutes.
Rail network—Express services
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