Perth railway station

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This article is about the railway station in Western Australia. For the railway station in Scotland, see Perth railway station (Scotland).

Perth
View of the station from platform 5
General information
LocationWellington Street, Roe Street
Perth, Western Australia
Australia
Coordinates31°57′05″S 115°51′37″E / 31.95139°S 115.86028°E / -31.95139; 115.86028
Owned byPublic Transport Authority
Operated byTransperth Train Operations
Line(s)
Platforms9 (3 side above ground, 2 islands above ground, 1 island below ground)
Tracks9
Bus routes20
ConnectionsBus transfer at Perth Busport, Wellington Street, and William Street Mandurah and Butler services at Perth Underground
Construction
Structure typeGround & underground
Platform levels2
ParkingNo
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Architectural styleNeoclassical
Other information
StatusStaffed
Station codeMPH
Fare zone1 / Free Transit Zone
History
Opened1 March 1881
ElectrifiedYes
Passengers
201738,159 daily[1]
Services
Preceding station Transperth Transperth Following station
Terminus Joondalup line
PW
 Leederville
towards Whitfords
Armadale line
All, B, C
 McIver
towards Armadale
Thornlie line
T
 McIver
towards Thornlie
through to Fremantle line Midland line McIver
towards Midland
through to Midland line Fremantle line City West
towards Fremantle
City West
towards Claremont
 Airport line McIver
towards High Wycombe
Terminus Airport line
P
Perth Underground
through to Joondalup line Mandurah line
All, K, W
 Elizabeth Quay
towards Cockburn Central, Rockingham or Mandurah
Elizabeth Quay
Terminus
 Joondalup line
All, K, W
 Leederville
towards Whitfords, Clarkson or Butler
Opening in 2024
Terminus Morley–Ellenbrook line McIver
towards Ellenbrook
Preceding station Transwa Transwa Following station
Terminus Australind Armadale
towards Bunbury
Official namePerth Railway Precinct
TypeState Registered Place
Designated28 August 2001
Reference no.2133
Location
Map
Location of Perth railway station

Perth railway station is the largest station on the Transperth network, serving the central business district of Perth, Western Australia. It serves as an interchange between the Airport, Armadale, Fremantle, Midland, and Thornlie lines as well as Transwa's Australind service. It is also directly connected to Perth Underground railway station, which has the Joondalup line and Mandurah line.

History[edit]

Establishment[edit]

The station in 1921

The foundation stone for the original Richard Roach Jewell-designed Perth station was laid on 10 May 1880, with the station opening on 1 March 1881 as part of the Eastern Railway from Fremantle to Guildford.[2][3][4] The station had one through platform with a terminating dock platform at the east end; however it soon proved to be inadequate for the growing railway, and after the opening of the Armadale line in 1889 put further stress on the facility it was decided that a larger station would be built.[5]

The new, larger Victorian Free Classical style station building, designed by George Temple-Poole, was opened south of the original station in 1894, with the old building demolished and replaced by a new island platform.[5] The new station building, still in use today, has been expanded numerous times since being built, including the addition of two wings at the east and west ends of the building. A planned third storey and clocktower were never built.[6][7] A collection of freight and administrative offices and tearooms were also part of the railway station complex. The station initially had the Barrack Street and William Street bridges as limiting factors to its further development, though platforms to the west of the station that ran underneath the Horseshoe Bridge were eventually constructed.

The station was the centre of the Western Australian Government Railways system, with most regional trains originating from the station, and it also served as the headquarters of the agency until 1976.[8] Following the cessation of most regional passenger services, the completion of standard gauge tracks to East Perth station, and the relocation of most administrative offices to the Westrail Centre, by the late 1970s Perth station remained only as a terminus for The Australind service to Bunbury, as well as an interchange for Transperth's suburban services.

The railway building has at times housed various commercial operations as well as police offices. The WA Craft Council was a tenant in the 1980s.[9] For a considerable length of time the forecourt area was used for car parking, though this is no longer the case.

Later development[edit]

Wellington Street entrance in March 2005

As early as the 1950s, there were moves and suggestions for the redevelopment of the station area.[10] Starting in 1988 the station underwent a major upgrade as part of the Northern Suburbs Transit System project, which included the construction of a new island platform, a steel and glass roof that covered the central platforms, an adjoining multi-storey car park, and the Citiplace Centre retail and community services hub built on a level above the existing station platforms which also connected pedestrian footbridges linking the Perth Cultural Centre and the Forrest Chase shopping complex to the station.[5]

In 1992, a ninth platform was added along with a pedestrian overpass at the extreme west end of the station which allowed direct access to the railway station from Wellington Street bus station and Northbridge.[11] With the introduction of the SmartRider contactless electronic ticketing system and installation of fare gates, Perth railway station became a closed station in early 2007;[12] as a result the entrance on the Horseshoe Bridge was fenced off and its wooden stairway and overpass was later removed.[13]

As part of the New MetroRail project, the station was refurbished and expanded with new underground platforms built at a 90-degree angle to the existing platforms beneath Gordon Stephenson House to the east of William Street, between Wellington and Murray Streets. The underground platforms, numbered 1 and 2, are known as Perth Underground, but are in some aspects considered part of the overall Perth station. The underground platforms are linked to the original Perth station via a walkway under Wellington Street; a new entrance to Perth Underground was also constructed at the west end of the Murray Street pedestrian mall. The new platforms opened on 15 October 2007.[14][15]

Further changes to the station occurred as part of the Perth City Link project in the early-2010s, which saw the above ground rail lines west of the Horseshoe Bridge sunk and the existing platforms and overpass there demolished to make way for a new public space, Yagan Square. This reduced the above ground platforms from nine to seven. The station also saw the construction of a new pedestrian underpass connecting the three main above ground platforms, and upgrades and extensions to the roof.[13][16][17]

In September 2013, a new Platform 9 on the Roe Street side of the station opened.[18] This new platform was temporarily used for special event services until mid-December 2013, before becoming part of the Midland line.[19]

In 2022 and 2023, the forecourt of the station underwent refurbishment in order to improve amenity and visitor safety.[20]

Plaques formerly in entrance area to station[edit]

The railway station entrance area had plaques to commemorate the following events:

  • 1 March 1981 – centenary of Fremantle to Guildford railway
  • 14 November 1989 – Perth to Joondalup railway first spike driven
  • 28 September 1991 – introduction of electric trains
  • 11 April 1992 – commissioning of electric train services
  • 25 March 1994 – centenary of railway station

Platforms and services[edit]

See also: List of old Perth railway station platform arrangements
Perth station
Legend
Track layout and
surrounding railyard
3
4
8
6
9
7
5
2
1
Source[21]
View of old Platform 2, now Platform 5

Platforms currently in use are as follows:

Perth Underground station platforms[22][23][24]
Stop Platform Line Stopping pattern Destination Notes
99601 1 Joondalup All stations Butler
K Clarkson Pattern K only operates on weekdays.[23]
W Whitfords Pattern W only operates on weekdays.[23]
99602 2 Mandurah All stations Mandurah
K Rockingham Pattern K only operates on weekdays.[24]
W Cockburn Central Pattern W only operates on weekdays.[24]
Main platforms[25][26][27][28]
Stop Platform Line Stopping pattern Destination Notes
95499 3 Australind All stations Bunbury Transwa service.[29][30]
99004 4 Thornlie All stations Victoria Park [26]
99005 5 Armadale All stations Victoria Park [26]
99906 6
99007 7 Fremantle All stations, S Fremantle [28]
S+ Showgrounds Pattern deviations to stop at Showgrounds.
Airport W Claremont [citation needed]
99908 8 Midland All stations Midland Services coming from Fremantle tunnel arrive at this platform, proceeding to Midland[27][31]
Airport All Stations, P High Wycombe [citation needed]
99009 9 Midland Midland Special service platform
Joondalup P Terminates Pattern P operates once per weekday, after the morning peak.[23][32]

It received Airport line services on 9 October 2022.[33][34]

Transport links[edit]

Perth Underground Murray Street entrance

Several Transperth bus routes stop adjacent to Perth station. Buses also operate from the nearby Perth Busport, and rail replacement services also depart from the nearby Perth Busport. As of August 2023, Wellington Street has been upgraded to include eleven bus stands outside the station, seven eastbound and four westbound.

Stop Route Destination / description Notes
Beaufort Street/CAT ID 4 1 Blue CAT to Perth Busport via Northbridge[35][35]
Stand 1 67, 68 to Mirrabooka bus station
901 Rail Replacement to Midland StationIn use when Midland Line is out of action
Stand 2 38 to Cloverdale
51 to Cannington Bus Station
960 to Curtin University bus stationHigh Frequency
902 Rail Replacement to High Wycombe stationIn use when Airport Line is out of action
905 Rail Replacement to Victoria Park StationIn use when Armadale and Thornlie Lines are out of action
Stand 3 220 to Armadale station
221 to Armadale StationLimited Stops
230 to Thornlie StationLimited Stops
Stand 4 907 to Armadale StationHigh Frequency, Limited Stops
Stand 5/CAT ID 67 2 Red CAT to Matagarup Bridge[35]
3 Yellow CAT to Claisebrook station[35]
Stand 6 41 to BayswaterTerminates Leake St before Neville St
42 to MaylandsTerminates Clarkson Rd after Hall Ave
48, 66, 950 and 980 to Morley bus station66 - Limited Stops, 950 and 980 - High Frequency
55 to Bassendean Town CentreTerminates Parker St after Old Perth Rd
Stand 7 TransWA to BunburyAustralind Rail Replacement
Stand 8/CAT ID 58 2 Red CAT to West Perth[35]
Stand 9/CAT ID 145 3 Yellow CAT to West Perth[35]
Stand 10 41, 42, 48, 55, 66 and 980 to Elizabeth Quay bus station66 - Limited Stops 980 - High Frequency
950 to Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre via Elizabeth Quay bus stationHigh Frequency
Stand 11 38, 51, 67, 68, 220, 221, 230 and 907 to Perth Busport
960 to Mirrabooka bus station via Perth BusportHigh Frequency

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Welcome to Seaforth – the loneliest train station on the Perth rail network". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. ^ Newland, Andrew; Quinlan, Howard (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 – 2000. Redfern: Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 64. ISBN 0-909650-49-7.
  3. ^ Higham, Geoffrey (2007). Marble Bar to Mandurah: A history of passenger rail services in Western Australia. Bassendean: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 10, 77. ISBN 978-0-9803922-0-3.
  4. ^ History of Perth Archived 26 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Only Perth
  5. ^ a b c "Perth Railway Station". Museum of Perth. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. ^ Nock, Ossie (1971). Railways of Australia. London: Charles & Black. p. 226. ISBN 0-7136-1190-1.
  7. ^ Perth Railway Precinct Archived 26 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Stage Heritage Office
  8. ^ Affleck, Fred (1978). On Track: The Making of Westrail, 1950–1976. Perth: Westrail. p. 171. ISBN 0724475605. OCLC 6489347.
  9. ^ O'Connor, Porter and Salmon (1987). Challenges : fine Western Australian crafts : Crafts Council of Western Australia, Crafts Council Centre, Perth City Railway Station. Perth, W.A: Crafts Council of W.A.
  10. ^ New Heart for Perth Society (1953–1974). New Heart for Perth Society records, 1953-1974 (manuscript). Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  11. ^ Beggs, Pam (12 June 1992). "Lifting of northern pedestrian overpass at Perth Station". Media Statements. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  12. ^ "PTA Annual Report 2006-07" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Perth CBD's first underground train station in operation". ABC News. 15 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  14. ^ "PTA Annual Report 2007/08". Public Transport Authority of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Fact Sheet: Pedestrian underpass" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. March 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  16. ^ "PTA Annual Report 2013-14" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  17. ^ "September 2013 works update". Perth City Link. Public Transport Authority. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Midland Line Permanent Platform Change". Transperth. 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013.
  19. ^ Saffioti, Rita (1 December 2022). "Perth Station lights up as part of CBD revitalisation". Media Statements. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Manual – Rail Access" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 19 August 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Stops Near You (99601)". Transperth. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d "Joondalup Line Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. 22 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  23. ^ a b c "Mandurah Line Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. 22 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Stops Near You (99007)". Transperth. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  25. ^ a b c "Armadale Line". Armadale Thornlie Line Timetable (PDF). Transperth. 19 October 2022 [effective from 20 November 2023].
  26. ^ a b "Midland Line Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. 22 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Fremantle Line Timetable" (PDF). Transperth. 22 September 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Perth Station - Access Map" (PDF). Transperth. 31 August 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  29. ^ "Perth Stn Transwa Rail Perth". OpenMobilityData. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  30. ^ Midland Line – Platform Change Transperth 25 August 2014
  31. ^ "Journey Planner (Whitfords Station to Perth Stn Platform 9)". Transperth. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  32. ^ "All aboard: Date set for opening of METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link". Media Statements. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  33. ^ de Kruijff, Peter (16 August 2022). "Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  34. ^ a b c d e f Perth CAT Timetable 203 (PDF). Transperth. 15 June 2023 [effective from 2 July 2023].

Further reading[edit]

  • Finlayson, Don (1986). Steam around Perth. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Railway Historical Society (W.A. Division). ISBN 0959969047. OCLC 27627841. Has photos of earlier forms of the station – page 55 for example.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Perth railway station.
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