❓ Question regarding the additional cost to convert a busway to a rail system. The Minister responds by highlighting the potential cost-effectiveness of a bus rapid transit system compared to light rail, referencing Labor's previous transport policy.
AnsweredQoN 115Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUS RAPID
TRANSIT SYSTEM — INFRASTRUCTURE
115. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the
Minister for Transport:
I have a
supplementary question. If the minister said that all the infrastructure would
be in place to convert a busway to a rail system, what would be the additional
cost to undertake that?
TRANSIT SYSTEM — INFRASTRUCTURE
115. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the
Minister for Transport:
I have a
supplementary question. If the minister said that all the infrastructure would
be in place to convert a busway to a rail system, what would be the additional
cost to undertake that?
AnswerView source ↗
We have said that we
want to explore that. No decision has been made. I want to give a like-for-like
experience for the customer. The preliminary analysis suggests that we could
provide that experience with a bus in exactly the same way as we could with
light rail, but at half the cost. We have said that this is a preliminary
analysis and that we have to further investigate it.
I am really surprised
at the opposition on this issue because, in 2008, can members guess what Labor's
transport policy was? It was a bus rapid transit system up Fitzgerald Street.
Let me quote one of their own members, who they consider to be a potential
leader to replace the current Leader of the Opposition —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : I do not want to hear from you, member for Cannington.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I quote from a press release dated
September 2008 by the then planning minister, Alannah MacTiernan, which I am
happy to table. It said that the government had announced on the weekend —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : In September 2008, Alannah MacTiernan is
reported as saying —
� bus technology was developing
rapidly � which the Government announced on the weekend would be used on
Alexander Drive, would perform as well as rail trams.
I also have an
extract from the ALP's 2008 transport policy, which reads —
Special High-capacity Vehicles,
such as double articulated � buses, to operate on the Transitway. Among the
vehicles which will be considered for acquisition are some that are powered by
electric hybrid motors.
A key plank of Labor's
transport policy was to run a bus up Fitzgerald Street! I have said that we
have a preliminary analysis that suggests that we should make further
investigation as to whether we make it a rapid bus transit system as opposed to
light rail. That preliminary analysis suggests that we could look at
introducing such a system at half the cost. It is my responsibility as the
current transport minister to investigate that fully to ensure that we can
deliver like for like for the community of Western Australia.
want to explore that. No decision has been made. I want to give a like-for-like
experience for the customer. The preliminary analysis suggests that we could
provide that experience with a bus in exactly the same way as we could with
light rail, but at half the cost. We have said that this is a preliminary
analysis and that we have to further investigate it.
I am really surprised
at the opposition on this issue because, in 2008, can members guess what Labor's
transport policy was? It was a bus rapid transit system up Fitzgerald Street.
Let me quote one of their own members, who they consider to be a potential
leader to replace the current Leader of the Opposition —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : I do not want to hear from you, member for Cannington.
Mr D.C. NALDER : I quote from a press release dated
September 2008 by the then planning minister, Alannah MacTiernan, which I am
happy to table. It said that the government had announced on the weekend —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : In September 2008, Alannah MacTiernan is
reported as saying —
� bus technology was developing
rapidly � which the Government announced on the weekend would be used on
Alexander Drive, would perform as well as rail trams.
I also have an
extract from the ALP's 2008 transport policy, which reads —
Special High-capacity Vehicles,
such as double articulated � buses, to operate on the Transitway. Among the
vehicles which will be considered for acquisition are some that are powered by
electric hybrid motors.
A key plank of Labor's
transport policy was to run a bus up Fitzgerald Street! I have said that we
have a preliminary analysis that suggests that we should make further
investigation as to whether we make it a rapid bus transit system as opposed to
light rail. That preliminary analysis suggests that we could look at
introducing such a system at half the cost. It is my responsibility as the
current transport minister to investigate that fully to ensure that we can
deliver like for like for the community of Western Australia.
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