❓ A member of parliament raises concerns about train overcrowding and public safety, questioning the Premier on briefings and future railcar orders. The Premier deflects, highlighting existing plans and shifting focus to transport improvements.
AnsweredQoN 697Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TRAIN OVERCROWDING — PUBLIC SAFETY
In March this year on the Stirling train station platform, I saw that many of my constituents were unable to board trains to get to work in the city. I noted in an article on the front page of today’s The West Australian that the Public Transport Authority has advised that overcrowding on our trains will be worse in March 2016 than in March this year. (1) Is the Premier concerned that a build-up of people on train platforms due to overcrowding will create a station environment that will become increasingly dangerous? (2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT
In March this year on the Stirling train station platform, I saw that many of my constituents were unable to board trains to get to work in the city. I noted in an article on the front page of today’s The West Australian that the Public Transport Authority has advised that overcrowding on our trains will be worse in March 2016 than in March this year. (1) Is the Premier concerned that a build-up of people on train platforms due to overcrowding will create a station environment that will become increasingly dangerous? (2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(1) Is the Premier concerned that a build-up of people on train platforms due to overcrowding will create a station environment that will become increasingly dangerous? (2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(1) Is the Premier concerned that a build-up of people on train platforms due to overcrowding will create a station environment that will become increasingly dangerous? (2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(2) Has the Premier been briefed by the Public Transport Authority or the Minister for Transport on this risk of overcrowding? (3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(3) Will the Premier guarantee that his government will order sufficient railcars to actually reduce overcrowding on our trains? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
(1)–(3) I think the question should have been directed to the Minister for Transport, but he has already provided an answer. Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Ms M.M. Quirk : Didn’t you call him a Muppet? The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am going to put you on a second formal call to order today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Minister for Transport has outlined the very substantial number of new train carriages that are on order, and they will be progressively delivered. In the last few weeks I have visited both the northern rail line and the south eastern rail line, and there are issues on those rail lines. It is a good thing that more people are using public transport. On the northern line, I visited Currambine station, and there are issues there around parking and the need for a line extension. The member will be aware that this government is extending the line further north through Butler; that is important. There will be a need for further extensions. We will continually monitor that, and we will continually expand the metropolitan rail and public transport system. We will try to keep up with the needs of a growing and active city. It is a very good thing that more people are using public transport. As the member is aware, works are due to begin on widening the freeway to the northern suburbs; that is important. I have talked to constituents about extensions to the freeway, and that is something that the Minister for Transport is looking at. With the exception of Hon Ken Travers in the other place, I think most members would support the work that the Minister for Transport is doing on the light rail proposal to serve the northern suburbs. We are doing it all!
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.