Question regarding the cost of a train fare between Rockingham and Perth. The answer defends the government's chosen rail route (Fast Direct Route) over the Opposition's (Kenwick Deviation), citing cost and efficiency benefits.

AnsweredQoN 1906Legislative Council
Asked
2 April 2004
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

(b) $5.50 between Rockingham and Perth?
It is important to note that the cost per passenger would be greater under the Opposition’s discredited Kenwick Deviation. The Kenwick Deviation required 117 railcars, 24 more than required under the Fast Direct Route – costing significantly more on train crews, security, maintenance, electricity and so on. As the Fast Direct Route will carry more than 10,000 passengers more than the Kenwick Deviation there is also a significant increase in revenue. It is estimated that it would cost approximately $15 million per year more to operate the Kenwick Deviation.
The Kenwick Deviation required 117 railcars, 24 more than required under the Fast Direct Route – costing significantly more on train crews, security, maintenance, electricity and so on. As the Fast Direct Route will carry more than 10,000 passengers more than the Kenwick Deviation there is also a significant increase in revenue. It is estimated that it would cost approximately $15 million per year more to operate the Kenwick Deviation.
As the Fast Direct Route will carry more than 10,000 passengers more than the Kenwick Deviation there is also a significant increase in revenue. It is estimated that it would cost approximately $15 million per year more to operate the Kenwick Deviation.
It is estimated that it would cost approximately $15 million per year more to operate the Kenwick Deviation.

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
13 May 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
41 days
(1&2) It is not feasible to break down the level of subsidy for individual bus routes, individual bus trips or specific train or ferry journeys. Transperth is an integrated system, which is one of its great advantages and one of its reasons for its continued success. A passenger journey can involve several bus trips, train trips and potentially a ferry trip and it is simply not feasible to proportion the costs and revenue for this journey on a modal basis.
The cost for each passenger on the Southern Suburbs Railway will be approximately $4.80 per day. This is about the same cost for passengers on the current rail network.
It is important to note that the cost per passenger would be greater under the Opposition’s discredited Kenwick Deviation.
The Kenwick Deviation required 117 railcars, 24 more than required under the Fast Direct Route – costing significantly more on train crews, security, maintenance, electricity and so on.
As the Fast Direct Route will carry more than 10,000 passengers more than the Kenwick Deviation there is also a significant increase in revenue.
It is estimated that it would cost approximately $15 million per year more to operate the Kenwick Deviation.

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