❓ Opposition questions the government about using funds 'ripped' from schools to maintain the AvonLink train service, suggesting it's needed for students leaving the public education system. The government responds by highlighting low patronage and a replacement road coach service.
AnsweredQoN 522Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AVONLINK SERVICE
522. Hon DARREN WEST to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Transport:
Given that the state government has ripped $532 530 out of
Northam and Toodyay schools, will the Minister use these funds to retain the AvonLink service so that parents who
choose to remove their children from the Barnett–Grylls government's
funds-starved public education system can at least transport their children
safely to another education option?
522. Hon DARREN WEST to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Transport:
Given that the state government has ripped $532 530 out of
Northam and Toodyay schools, will the Minister use these funds to retain the AvonLink service so that parents who
choose to remove their children from the Barnett–Grylls government's
funds-starved public education system can at least transport their children
safely to another education option?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
The Public Transport Authority advises that for the 12-month period to 30 June
2013, the AvonLink train carried a
total of 14 126 passengers, which equates to approximately 27 passengers per
trip or slightly less than 21 per cent of the total seating capacity of the
train. Patronage on the AvonLink service has been declining for the past four years. A more frequent road coach
service is being funded by the savings achieved by terminating the AvonLink train service, which will still
enable all passengers including schoolchildren to travel to the metropolitan
area if required.
The Public Transport Authority advises that for the 12-month period to 30 June
2013, the AvonLink train carried a
total of 14 126 passengers, which equates to approximately 27 passengers per
trip or slightly less than 21 per cent of the total seating capacity of the
train. Patronage on the AvonLink service has been declining for the past four years. A more frequent road coach
service is being funded by the savings achieved by terminating the AvonLink train service, which will still
enable all passengers including schoolchildren to travel to the metropolitan
area if required.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.