Perth Voice Interactive

THERE were some unhappy faces among North Perth’s traders as word spread they may never be getting light rail up Fitzgerald Street.

The Liberal government went to the last election on the platform of building MAX (Metro Area Express) light rail from Perth CBD to Mirrabooka, across to QEII hospital and to Victoria Park.

Now it’s been deferred for at least three years and WA transport minister Dean Nalder is looking at starting a rapid bus transit system instead.

Knocked

That’s an idea Troy Buswell had knocked back when he was transport minister, but Mr Nalder reckons it’s worth another look since the train-like buses with fixed stations could provide the same experience for passengers. It’s also massively cheaper.

For Leon Berthelsen and Lee Draman, two firefighters who own the Engine Room Espresso on Fitzgerald Street, it’s a disappointment.

“We were really looking forward to it,” Mr Berthelsen says. The promise of light rail had played into their decision to seek an extended lease.

Rosemount Hotel venue manager Calvin Hook says light rail would have been great for punters who shell out a lot on taxis.

Perth Liberal MP Eleni Evangel—whose office is on the street—stresses it’s a deferral, not a cancellation.

She says unpredictable financial problems after the election—such as a drop in GST share, forced the government to re-examine its commitments.

“I’m all for getting good public transport for my electorate but I’m very open to looking into a rapid bus transit systems,” she says.
“There are some examples of how it works well, so why not look at it? Let’s do our homework and let’s see if we can do things right.

“They’re a lot more cost-effective to run so once you’ve got it in place the maintenance of the facility is a lot more manageable than light rail.”

Vincent mayor John Carey says he hasn’t seen evidence that buses trigger the same urban renewal that light rail hubs have been shown to, and which he says North Perth needs.

“They made a commitment and then walked away from it,” he says, matter-of-fact. “No wonder people become cynical about politics: people make commitments and then say ‘we don’t have money any more’.”

Curtin university sustainability policy institute’s Jeff Kenworthy says light rail has better capacity than buses.

Development is also more likely to flourish around a rail line given its permanence compared to a bus route: knowing a train line is within walking distance can make an apartment block more economically attractive to build, whereas “bus lanes can be removed with political whims”.

by DAVID BELL