Perth Voice Interactive

BEFORE the last state election North Perth voters were promised cutting-edge light rail. After the election that was downgraded to a you-beaut rapid transit bus system.

Now—given state revenues have fallen through the floor and debt is crippling the Barnett government—the latest offer is for a bog-standard bus lane up Fitzgerald Street.

Vincent city council is fuming and has unanimously told the WA public transit authority to shove its offer where the sun doesn’t shine.

Mayor John Carey is demanding that a rock-solid long-term plan be put on the table.

“The option that’s being presented is the cheapest, nastiest option, and I think it’s incredibly disappointing to the North Perth community,” he says.

The corridor is constantly clogged because a cluster of suburbs to the north are serviced by neither freeway nor train line.

He says the community has been let down time and time again and there’s no clear answer from the government on its long-term public transport plans for the increasingly busy corridor.

His fear is an “interim” bus lane could easily become a “good enough” solution and result in a long-term solution being delayed even further.

“Given that this government has flip-flopped and deferred light rail, is that this is going to be it?” he asks.

“We think it is a reasonable proposition from the council to say to the government, give us a clear definitive plan… if they’re not going to do the light rail, which is disappointing, at least give us a concrete plan for the rapid bus system.”

The PTA’s letter to the council stresses its interim bus lane “should not preclude the introduction of a light rail system”.

by DAVID BELL