Light Rail the Answer for Northern Suburbs

Media Release, 20 March 2008  

Greens MLC Giz Watson says that the northern suburbs urgently need a light rail network.

"Perth has an enviable public transport system in many ways compared with our Eastern States capitals. However, it's apparent that the bus system is not coping with demand in many hotspots around the metropolitan area.”

“The first priority should be Perth’s northern suburbs. We need to provide integrated light rail links to train services to reduce people’s reliance on cars for getting to work. Where a freeway lane can move 2,500 people per hour, a light rail line can move 7,000 – 10,000 people, and a heavy rail line can move 50,000 people per hour.

“Light rail services would take the pressure off existing bus services. Public transport services in the outer suburbs are the hardest to access, and people in these areas are hurting financially. The option of commuting to the city by car is very expensive and time-consuming, quite aside from the congestion, smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Northern suburbs residents deserve state-of the art light rail alternatives.”