Wikipedia

Perth railway station

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

Perth railway stationis the largest station on theTransperthnetwork, serving thecentral business districtofPerth,Western Australia. It serves as an interchange between theAirport,Armadale,Fremantle,Midland,andThornlielines as well asTranswa'sAustralindservice. It is also directly connected toPerth Underground railway station,which has theYanchepandMandurahlines.

Perth
View of the station from platform 5
General information
LocationWellington Street,Roe Street
Perth,Western Australia
Australia
Coordinates31°57′05″S115°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 atPerth Busport,Wellington Street, andWilliam Street Mandurah and Yanchep services atPerth 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 TransperthTransperth Following station
Terminus Yanchep line
PW
 Leederville
towardsWhitfords
Armadale line
All, B, C
 McIver
towardsArmadale
Thornlie line
T
 McIver
towardsThornlie
through toFremantle line Midland line McIver
towardsMidland
through toMidland line Fremantle line City West
towardsFremantle
City West
towardsClaremont
 Airport line McIver
towardsHigh Wycombe
Terminus Airport line
P
Perth Underground
through toYanchep line Mandurah line
All, K, W
 Elizabeth Quay
towardsCockburn Central,RockinghamorMandurah
Elizabeth Quay
Terminus
 Yanchep line
All, K, W
 Leederville
towardsWhitfords,ClarksonorYanchep
Opening in 2024
Terminus Ellenbrook line McIver
towardsEllenbrook
Preceding station TranswaTranswa Following station
Terminus Australind
(closed until 2025)
 Armadale
towardsBunbury
Official namePerth Railway Precinct
TypeState Registered Place
Designated28 August 2001
Reference no.2133
Location
Map
Location of Perth railway station

History

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Establishment

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The station in 1921

The foundation stone for the originalRichard Roach Jewell-designed Perth station was laid on 10 May 1880, with the station opening on 1 March 1881 as part of theEastern RailwayfromFremantletoGuildford.[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 theArmadale linein 1889 put further stress on the facility it was decided that a larger station would be built.[5]

The new, largerVictorian Free Classical stylestation building, designed byGeorge 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 andtearoomswere also part of the railway station complex. The station initially had theBarrack StreetandWilliam Streetbridges 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 theWestern Australian Government Railwayssystem, with mostregional trainsoriginating 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 toEast Perth station,and the relocation of most administrative offices to theWestrail Centre,by the late 1970s Perth station remained only as a terminus forThe Australindservice toBunbury,as well as an interchange forTransperth'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

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Wellington Street entrance in 2024

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 theNorthern Suburbs Transit Systemproject, 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 thePerth Cultural Centreand theForrest Chaseshopping 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 fromWellington Street bus stationandNorthbridge.[11]With the introduction of theSmartRidercontactless 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 theNew MetroRailproject, the station was refurbished and expanded with new underground platforms built at a 90-degree angle to the existing platforms beneathGordon Stephenson Houseto the east ofWilliam Street,betweenWellingtonandMurrayStreets. The underground platforms, numbered 1 and 2, are known asPerth 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 theMurray Street pedestrian mall.The new platforms opened on 15 October 2007.[14][15]

Further changes to the station occurred as part of thePerth City Linkproject in the early-2010s, which saw the above ground rail lines west of theHorseshoe Bridgesunk 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 theRoe Streetside of the station opened.[18]This new platform was temporarily used for special event services until mid-December 2013, before becoming part of theMidland 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

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

  • 1 March 1981 – centenary ofFremantle to Guildford railway
  • 14 November 1989 –Perth to Joondalup railwayfirst 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

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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 stationplatforms[22][23][24]
Stop Platform Line Stopping pattern Destination Notes
99601 1 Yanchep All stations Yanchep
K Clarkson Pattern K only operates on weekdays.[23]
W Whitfords Pattern W only operates on weekdays.[23]
99602 2 Mandurah All stations Mandurah
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 Transwaservice.[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 toMidland[27][31]
Airport All Stations, P High Wycombe [citation needed]
99009 9 Midland Midland Special service platform[23][32]

It receivedAirport lineservices on 9 October 2022.[33][34]

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Perth UndergroundMurray Street entrance

SeveralTransperthbus routes stop adjacent to Perth station. Buses also operate from the nearbyPerth Busport,and rail replacement services also depart from the nearbyPerth 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 1Blue CAT toPerth BusportviaNorthbridge[35][35]
Stand 1 67, 68 toMirrabooka bus station
901 Rail Replacement toMidland StationIn use when Midland Line is out of action
Stand 2 38 toCloverdale
51 toCannington Bus Station
960 toCurtin University bus stationHigh Frequency
902 Rail Replacement toHigh Wycombe stationIn use when Airport Line is out of action
905 Rail Replacement toVictoria Park StationIn use when Armadale and Thornlie Lines are out of action
Stand 3 220 toArmadale station
221 toArmadale StationLimited Stops
230 toThornlie StationLimited Stops
Stand 4 907 toArmadale StationHigh Frequency, Limited Stops
Stand 5/CAT ID 67 2Red CAT toMatagarup Bridge[35]
3Yellow CAT toClaisebrook station[35]
Stand 6 41 toBayswater Station
42, 43 toMaylandsMaylands Boat Ramp
40, 66, 950 and 980 toMorley bus station66 - Limited Stops, 950 and 980 - High Frequency
Stand 7 TransWA toBunburyAustralindRail Replacement
Stand 8/CAT ID 58 2Red CAT toWest Perth[35]
Stand 9/CAT ID 145 3Yellow CAT toWest Perth[35]
Stand 10 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 and 980 toElizabeth Quay bus station66 - Limited Stops 980 - High Frequency
950 toQueen Elizabeth II Medical CentreviaElizabeth Quay bus stationHigh Frequency
Stand 11 38, 51, 67, 68, 220, 221, 230 and 907 toPerth Busport
960 toMirrabooka bus stationviaPerth BusportHigh Frequency

References

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  1. ^"Welcome to Seaforth – the loneliest train station on the Perth rail network".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.13 March 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 8 April 2022.Retrieved27 May2020.
  2. ^Newland, Andrew; Quinlan, Howard (2000).Australian Railway Routes 1854 – 2000.Redfern: Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 64.ISBN0-909650-49-7.
  3. ^Higham, Geoffrey (2007).Marble Bar to Mandurah: A history of passenger rail services in Western Australia.Bassendean: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 10, 77.ISBN978-0-9803922-0-3.
  4. ^History of PerthArchived26 June 2015 at theWayback MachineOnly Perth
  5. ^abc"Perth Railway Station".Museum of Perth.Retrieved26 October2022.
  6. ^Nock, Ossie (1971).Railways of Australia.London: Charles & Black. p. 226.ISBN0-7136-1190-1.
  7. ^Perth Railway PrecinctArchived26 June 2015 at theWayback MachineStage Heritage Office
  8. ^Affleck, Fred (1978).On Track: The Making of Westrail, 1950–1976.Perth: Westrail. p. 171.ISBN0724475605.OCLC6489347.
  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).Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2022.Retrieved19 February2016.
  11. ^Beggs, Pam (12 June 1992)."Lifting of northern pedestrian overpass at Perth Station".Media Statements.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2022.Retrieved11 September2022.
  12. ^"PTA Annual Report 2006-07"(PDF).Public Transport Authority.Retrieved25 October2022.
  13. ^"Perth CBD's first underground train station in operation".ABC News.15 October 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2022.Retrieved11 September2022.
  14. ^"PTA Annual Report 2007/08".Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2022.Retrieved11 September2022.
  15. ^"Fact Sheet: Pedestrian underpass"(PDF).Public Transport Authority.March 2012.Archived(PDF)from the original on 3 May 2022.Retrieved11 September2022.
  16. ^"PTA Annual Report 2013-14"(PDF).Public Transport Authority.Archived(PDF)from the original on 3 May 2022.Retrieved11 September2022.
  17. ^"September 2013 works update".Perth City Link.Public Transport Authority. 2 October 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2015.Retrieved11 September2022.
  18. ^"Midland Line Permanent Platform Change".Transperth.11 December 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 13 December 2013.
  19. ^Saffioti, Rita (1 December 2022)."Perth Station lights up as part of CBD revitalisation".Media Statements.Archived fromthe originalon 26 May 2023.Retrieved26 May2023.
  20. ^"Manual – Rail Access"(PDF).Public Transport Authority.19 August 2022.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 September 2022.Retrieved10 September2022.
  21. ^"Stops Near You (99601)".Transperth.Government of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 12 September 2022.Retrieved12 September2022.
  22. ^abcd"Joondalup Line Timetable"(PDF).Transperth.22 September 2019.Archived(PDF)from the original on 5 October 2021.Retrieved12 September2022.
  23. ^ab"Mandurah Line Timetable"(PDF).Transperth.22 September 2019.Archived(PDF)from the original on 12 April 2021.Retrieved12 September2022.
  24. ^"Stops Near You (99007)".Transperth.Government of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 12 September 2022.Retrieved12 September2022.
  25. ^abc"Armadale Line".Armadale Thornlie Line Timetable(PDF)(Armadale Thornlie Line). Transperth. 17 May 2024 [effective from 15 July 2024].
  26. ^ab"Midland Line Timetable"(PDF).Transperth.22 September 2019.Archived(PDF)from the original on 12 April 2021.Retrieved12 September2022.
  27. ^ab"Fremantle Line Timetable"(PDF).Transperth.22 September 2019.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 February 2020.Retrieved12 September2022.
  28. ^"Perth Station - Access Map"(PDF).Transperth.31 August 2020.Archived(PDF)from the original on 24 March 2022.Retrieved14 September2022.
  29. ^"Perth Stn Transwa Rail Perth".OpenMobilityData.12 September 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 14 September 2022.Retrieved14 September2022.
  30. ^Midland Line – Platform ChangeTransperth 25 August 2014
  31. ^"Journey Planner (Whitfords Station to Perth Stn Platform 9)".Transperth.Archivedfrom the original on 12 September 2022.Retrieved12 September2022.
  32. ^"All aboard: Date set for opening of METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link".Media Statements.16 August 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 16 August 2022.Retrieved16 August2022.
  33. ^de Kruijff, Peter (16 August 2022)."Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October".WAtoday.Archivedfrom the original on 16 August 2022.Retrieved16 August2022.
  34. ^abcdefPerth CAT Timetable 203(PDF)(Perth CAT). Transperth. 25 June 2024 [effective from 3 March 2024].

Further reading

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  • Finlayson, Don (1986).Steam around Perth.Perth, Western Australia: Australian Railway Historical Society (W.A. Division).ISBN0959969047.OCLC27627841.Has photos of earlier forms of the station – page 55 for example.
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