Airport line, Perth
Suburban rail service in Perth, Western Australia
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The Airport line is a suburban railway line in Perth, Western Australia, which is operated by the Public Transport Authority as part of the Transperth system. The Airport line is a branch of the Midland line and runs underground between Bayswater and High Wycombe via Perth Airport. The branch is 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi) long and has three stations: Redcliffe, Airport Central, and High Wycombe stations. Airport line services continue west of Bayswater along the Midland and Fremantle lines via Perth station to terminate at Claremont station.
- High Wycombe (east)
- Claremont (west)
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A B-series train exiting the tunnel at High Wycombe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other name | Forrestfield–Airport Link (during construction) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Public Transport Authority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Perth, Western Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini |
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| Stations |
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| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Suburban rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | Transperth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Public Transport Authority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depot | Claisebrook railcar depot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Transperth B-series trains | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ridership | 6,229,613 (year to June 2026) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commenced | 3 November 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 9 October 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 25.2 km (15.7 mi)[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Character | Underground and at-grade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead catenary and overhead rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signalling | Fixed block signalling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train protection system | Automatic train protection | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Known during construction as the Forrestfield–Airport Link, the line was constructed by a joint venture between Salini Impregilo and NRW. Construction started in November 2016 and tunnel boring started in July 2017. The construction process was beset by several problems, including ground disturbances caused by tunnelling, a sinkhole and groundwater leak during the construction of a cross-passage, several worker injuries, and poor work conditions. Tunnel boring was completed in April 2020, which was followed by the installation of overhead line equipment, tracks, and other equipment. In addition to the main contract, works included a turnback siding at Claremont station for Airport line trains to turn around, and upgrades to Claremont and Bayswater stations. Originally planned to open in 2020, the project was delayed several times due to the aforementioned problems and later supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; it eventually opened on 9 October 2022. The Forrestfield–Airport Link cost A$1.86 billion in total.
Transperth B-series trains, three cars in length, operate on the Airport line every 12 minutes during peak and every 15 minutes outside peak and on weekends. All Airport line branch stations are fully accessible and have 150-metre (490 ft) long platforms; train lengths are limited by most Midland and Fremantle line stations, which have platforms only 100 metres (330 ft) long. The installation of communications-based train control by 2027 will allow frequencies to increase and planned platform lengthening will allow train lengths to increase. In the year to June 2026, the Airport line had 6,229,613 boardings.
History
Proposals
The 2004 Perth Airport master plan proposed a light rail spur off the Midland line between Bayswater and Ashfield stations, travelling above ground parallel to Tonkin Highway and along Brearley Avenue to the domestic terminal (terminals 3 and 4) and underground to the international terminal (terminals 1 and 2). The Midland line between Bayswater and Perth would have been a shared light rail and heavy rail corridor, and there would have been new stations at Great Eastern Highway, the domestic terminal, and the international terminal.[2] The state government started planning for this, having applied to Infrastructure Australia for federal funding.[4]
Following the 2008 state election, the new Liberal government withdrew the application to Infrastructure Australia,[4] with Premier Colin Barnett saying that he believed airport rail links were not viable in cities the size and density of Perth. The Public Transport Authority (PTA) nonetheless continued planning for the rail extension to the airport. Planning focused on building the line above ground between the Midland line at Bayswater and the Airport alongside Tonkin Highway, before tunnelling under the airport and emerging on the eastern side at High Wycombe.[5][6]
In September 2012, the government announced the half tunnelled, half above ground heavy rail line as its preferred route and said it was looking at costing and when the Airport line would be built.[7][8] In December 2012, the Labor opposition announced its Metronet plan to rapidly expand Perth's rail network, which it would take to the 2013 state election in March. This plan had the Airport line as part of a loop line which would connect to the Armadale line, Mandurah line and Fremantle line to the south and the Midland line to the north.[9][10] The opposition revealed further details of its proposed route, making it follow a 10.5-kilometre (6.5 mi) fully above-ground route, requiring going around the airport's runways.[3] This would have made the Airport station far away from the international terminal, requiring a 1 kilometre (1 mi) shuttle bus between the station and terminal. The Labor Party costed the route at A$731.5 million,[11] but Treasury costed the route at $1.446 billion.[12]
In February 2013, the government committed to its own plans of building the Airport line by 2018 at a cost of $1.895 billion.[13][14] The 2013 election resulted in the government's re-election, so the half tunnelled route entered further planning. By the end of 2013, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said he was considering making the Airport line entirely underground from Bayswater to High Wycombe as it could be better value for money. Transport expert Peter Newman and Opposition Leader Mark McGowan criticised the idea of building the line entirely underground, saying it would be far more expensive.[15][16]
Forrestfield–Airport Link
In August 2014, it was announced that the project, now known as the Forrestfield–Airport Link, would be fully tunnelled instead of only tunnelled within the vicinity of the airport. According to the government's modelling, there was little difference in the cost between tunnelling the whole route versus a partially tunnelled route; the government was in favour of the wholly tunnelled route because it would be less disruptive.[17] State Cabinet approved the project in the same month and the project definition plan was published.[18] The Forrestfield–Airport Link involved building twin-bored 8.5-kilometre (5.3 mi) tunnels from the Midland line at Bayswater to High Wycombe, passing under the Swan River and Perth Airport. There were three stations along the route: Airport West near terminals 3 and 4, Consolidated Airport near terminals 1 and 2, and Forrestfield. Airport West and Forrestfield stations were planned to have bus interchanges. Airport West and Consolidated Airport stations were planned to be underground. It was forecast the link would have 20,000 boardings per day upon opening, increasing to 29,000 by 2031. The Airport line service was planned to interline with the Midland line west of Bayswater, passing through Perth station before interlining with the Fremantle line to Daglish station, where Airport line trains would terminate and turn around.[19] It was estimated to cost $2.2 billion, approximately $300 million more than promised in 2013, and open in 2020, two years later than promised.[20][21]
For the section between Bayswater and the Airport, three options were considered: elevated rail, cut-and-cover tunnels, and deep level bored tunnels. Bored tunnels were chosen as they reduced disruption at ground level during construction and result in less land being taken up by rail infrastructure. The tunnels were chosen to have a diameter of 6.2 metres (20 ft) and have an average depth of 15 metres (49 ft) below ground level. The maximum depth is 26 metres (85 ft) where the tunnels cross under the Swan River. The Forrestfield–Airport Link is the second time that tunnel boring machines (TBMs) were used in Western Australia, the first being the construction of the William Street tunnel under the Perth central business district in the mid-2000s for the Mandurah line. The Forrestfield–Airport Link was planned to begin construction in 2016 and open in 2020.[19]
In late 2014, the project was referred to the state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for environmental approval.[22] Because part of the project is on Perth Airport land, federal environmental approval was sought. The EPA approved the project in July 2015,[23][24] and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment determined that the project did not require assessment and approval from the federal government.[25] State Parliament passed legislation in October 2015 authorising the Forrestfield–Airport Link's construction.[26][27]
Procurement
Expressions of interest to build the Forrestfield–Airport Link opened in January 2015 and closed two months later;[28] five consortia submitted expressions of interest.[29][30] In April 2015, three consortia were shortlisted: JHL Joint Venture (Leighton Contractors and John Holland), SI-NRW Joint Venture (Salini Impregilo and NRW), and Forrestfield Connect (Acciona, BAM and Ferrovial Agroman).[31][32] SI-NRW Joint Venture was selected in February 2016,[33][34] and in April 2016, the contract was signed for $1.176 billion. Salini Impregilo held an 80 percent stake and NRW a 20 percent stake. The contract covered construction and maintenance for ten years.[35][36] Upon the signing of the contract, it was announced that Airport West station had been renamed Belmont station, and Consolidated Airport station had been renamed Airport Central station.[37] Weston Williamson and GHD Woodhead were appointed by SI-NRW as the designers of the three stations.[38][39] Other contracts included a $31 million one with Georgiou Group to build an elevated walkway between Airport Central station and the airport terminal, awarded in late 2018,[40][41] and a contract extension with Downer EDI–Bombardier Transportation for the construction and maintenance of ten Transperth B-series trains.[42][43] The total approved budget was $1.861 billion,[44] of which, $490 million was funded by the federal government.[36]
Infrastructure Australia released their assessment of the Forrestfield–Airport Link in September 2016, rating it as a "priority project" and giving it a benefit–cost ratio of 1.4. The projected economic benefits of the project were $2.372 billion.[45][46]
Construction
Site establishment at Forrestfield station began in September 2016, with the aim of getting the TBMs launched as soon as possible.[47] On 3 November 2016, a sod turning ceremony took place at Forrestfield station with Premier Colin Barnett, State Transport Minister Bill Marmion, Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester, which marked the start of construction for the Forrestfield–Airport Link.[48][49][50] Following the Labor Party's victory in the 2017 state election, the Forrestfield–Airport Link was incorporated into the Metronet program.[51][52]
Construction at Airport Central station began in May 2017.[53]
Tunnelling
The components for the first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) arrived in Perth in May, having been manufactured in China by German company Herrenknecht. The machine cost $20 million and weighed 600 tonnes (660 tons).[54][55] A competition was launched in April 2017 for schoolchildren to determine the names of the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs).[56] The winning TBM names were announced in June: Grace, after a primary school student with leukaemia, and Sandy, after the sandgroper, a type of insect and a colloquial demonym for Western Australians. Artwork on each TBM by local primary school students was unveiled as well.[57][58]
Grace commenced tunnelling from the Forrestfield dive structure on 30 July 2017, amidst a protest by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) over the use of foreign workers on the project.[59][60][61] Sandy commenced tunnelling from the Forrestfield dive structure on 24 October, by which point, Grace had tunnelled 620 metres (2,030 ft).[62][63] Grace stopped tunnelling on 14 February 2018 due to ground disturbances 300 metres (980 ft) from Airport Central station;[64][65] Sandy stopped on 28 March to maintain a safe distance to Grace.[66][67][68] The West Australian later reported that tunnelling only stopped after Perth Airport expressed concerns, and that the airport had commissioned international tunnelling experts to assess the situation.[69] The TBMs resumed operation on 17 April[70][71] and 24 April respectively.[72] Grace broke through into the Airport Central station box on 8 May 2018, followed by Sandy on 19 May. A 12.5-metre-long (41 ft) concrete block was used in each breakthrough to reduce water ingress and stabilise the station walls.[73][74] After undergoing maintenance, both TBMs left the station in July, tunnelling towards Redcliffe.[75]
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In September 2018, a leak developed during the construction of the first cross passage between the two tunnels, which caused a sinkhole underneath Dundas Road, about 200 metres (660 ft) north of the Forrestfield construction site. Groundwater and silt flowed into one of the tunnels, causing flooding in the tunnel. Each TBM stopped work until the cross passage was repaired, and Dundas Road was closed to traffic.[76][77][78] The final report on the incident said that the pressure of the groundwater damaged a 26-metre (85 ft) section of tunnel by causing "permanent localised distortion to the tunnel shape and movement of the segments which make up the tunnel lining". As a temporary measure, steel frames were put up to support the tunnel while a permanent fix was designed. The chosen permanent solution was for spheroidal graphite iron rings to be placed inside the damaged tunnel area to brace it.[79] In December 2018, state Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced that the opening of the Forrestfield–Airport Link had been delayed by one year to 2021 due to the sinkhole, as well as the TBMs moving slower than expected and an increased rate of safety stoppages.[80][81][82]
In January 2019, tunnelling by Grace was paused due to a damaged screw conveyor.[b] Sandy was shut down as well and hairline cracks were soon found during an inspection of its screw conveyor.[83][84] Grace reached Redcliffe station on 9 May 2019.[85][86] After several weeks of maintenance, Grace left Redcliffe station on 14 June, tunnelling towards Bayswater. Sandy reached Redcliffe station on 6 July. By this point, two cross passages had been completed and five more were under construction.[87] In October 2019, Grace reached the Swan River. At 26 metres (85 ft) below water level, this is the deepest point of the tunnel.[88] Grace reached the Bayswater dive structure on 18 February 2020[89] and Sandy reached the dive structure on 20 April, marking the completion of tunnel boring.[90][91]
After tunnelling
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Track laying and the installation of overhead line equipment, signalling, and communications equipment commenced in July 2020.[92][93] Track laying was completed in July 2021.[94][95] Within the tunnels, instead of the traditional overhead wires, a rigid overhead conductor rail was used.[96]
In February and March 2021, two 56-hour shutdowns of the Midland line took place to connect the Forrestfield–Airport Link to the rest of the rail network.[97] Saffioti announced in May 2021 that the project had been delayed again, this time saying the line would open in the first half of 2022, blaming delays in the supply of steel and other materials due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[97][98][99]
Safety issues
In October 2017, a worker at Bayswater junction suffered an electric shock when a crane hit high-voltage power lines.[100][101] Salini Australia was fined $150,000 for the incident and ordered to pay $3,000 in costs.[102][103] The crew involved did not usually work at the site they were at, and had not gone through an induction for the site.[104] In July 2018, a worker was knocked unconscious after being struck in the head by a high pressure air hose at Airport Central station. The hose had disconnected from a pipe running along the tunnel wall.[105][106][107] Salini Australia was fined $200,000 for the incident and ordered to pay $2,847.50 in costs.[108][109] In November 2018, a carpenter was injured at Airport Central station. The CFMEU called for all work on the project to stop so that an independent safety audit could be done. The union claimed that grouting to waterproof the tunnel was not up to the specifications, which could cause the tunnel to collapse. The union also said that workers on 457 visas were made to work in unsafe conditions.[110][111][112]
A worker's arm was crushed by one of the TBM's hydraulic thrust arms in December 2018.[103][113] In May 2019, 500 metres (1,600 ft) of slurry pipes fell down in the tunnel as the brackets holding the pipes failed. The pipes carried slurry to and from the TBMs to control the pressure at the face of the machines. The incident caused Sandy to stop work for about one week.[114] A former TBM supervisor who quit due to safety concerns had predicted the pipes would collapse, writing to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston in October 2018 that the pipe brackets were "dangerously deficient". The CFMEU had also expressed concerns about the brackets, saying they did not meet Australian standards. Workers said that if anyone had been near the pipes at the time they collapsed, they would have been killed.[115] In July 2019, a worker suffered severe chemical burns after standing in contaminated water for seven hours. The water managed to enter his knee high gumboots, causing chemical burns on his legs and feet.[116][117] The worker was left unable to drive or work more than a year later.[118]
In September 2022, the United Professional Firefighters Union expressed concern that the Airport line's opening was being rushed. The union wanted for more firefighters to be familiarised with the tunnels before the line opened.[119]
Other issues
In 2017, it was publicised that groundwater and soil underneath Perth Airport was contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are toxic chemicals formerly used in firefighting foam.[120][121] About 900,000 cubic metres (32,000,000 cu ft) of soil dug up during tunnelling was contaminated. This soil was temporarily piled up at an industrial lot in Forrestfield before a permanent solution was decided.[120] It was estimated that the temporary storage would cost $50 million and permanent disposal would cost $270 million.[122][123] The state wanted to reuse the contaminated soil on the future third runway project at Perth Airport,[124] but the federal government rejected that proposal.[125][126] As of March 2023, some of the contaminated soil has been used on the Great Eastern Highway Bypass upgrade, with the rest to be used on future infrastructure projects.[127]
In July 2021, SI-NRW JV commenced legal action against GHD Group, alleging it was negligent in failing to prepare an adequate design concept.[128] In particular, SI-NRW JV alleged that GHD breached the tender design agreement for the twelve cross passages and three stations, causing the joint venture to suffer a $17.5 million loss. GHD refuted by saying that the contract was only for the supply of basic design sketches for costings.[129][130]
Other
Claremont station
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The Airport line was originally planned to terminate at Daglish station, as there was already a turnback siding there.[19] In 2018, it was announced that the terminus had been moved to Claremont station, five stations west of Daglish. This required an upgrade of Claremont station to modern accessibility standards and the construction of two turnback sidings west of the station.[131][132] Claremont station was chosen as it is located halfway along the Fremantle line and is the line's third busiest station, after Fremantle and Subiaco.[133] Perth station does not have the space for trains to turn around and stations beyond Claremont do not have a high enough forecast patronage for the extra services for those stations to be worth purchasing more rolling stock.[134]
In August 2020, John Holland was awarded a $36 million contract to undertake the construction works at Claremont station.[135][136] From 5 February to 5 April 2021, Claremont station was closed and the Fremantle line was partially shut down to complete the upgrade of Claremont station and build the two turnback sidings.[137][138] The Fremantle line reopened to full service on 6 April, but Claremont station remained closed as workers discovered problems with the station's original construction.[139][140] Claremont station reopened on 1 June 2021.[141]
Bayswater station
The original Forrestfield–Airport Link plan only called for $7 million to be spent on minor upgrades to Bayswater station to bring it into compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). Local residents called for a more substantial upgrade to the station, and some called for the station to be rebuilt underground using the TBMs from the Forrestfield–Airport Link.[142][143][144] The Labor opposition promised a $40 million upgrade of Bayswater station ahead of the 2017 state election.[145] Labor later won the election, setting into motion planning for the Bayswater station upgrade.[146] The scope of the upgrade to Bayswater station was revealed on 8 April 2018. The station was planned to be rebuilt as an elevated station with 150-metre (490 ft) long platforms to handle six-car trains. Rebuilding underground was ruled out due to various factors, including high cost and disruption, low benefit, and constraints created by the already under construction Forrestfield–Airport Link. A turnback siding was also planned west of Bayswater station. The rebuilt station was planned to open in 2020, before the Airport line began operations.[147][148][149] In August 2019, when the Morley–Ellenbrook line was confirmed to branch off the Midland line at Bayswater as well, the scope of the Bayswater station rebuild was expanded to building four platforms.[150][151][152]
On 9 April 2020, the contract for the Bayswater station project was awarded to the Evolve Bayswater Alliance, consisting of Coleman Rail and Decmil. The contract was worth $253 million.[153][154][155] Construction began in January 2021.[156] On 31 March 2023, the old Bayswater station permanently closed, and a 27-day shutdown of the Airport and Midland lines commenced. During the shutdown, 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) of track was rebuilt to connect to the new station, the turnback siding was constructed, and the previous station was demolished. The Airport and Midland lines reopened on 27 April[157][158][159] and the new Bayswater station opened on 8 October 2023.[160][161]
Level crossings
The second last level crossing on the Airport line route, the Moore Street level crossing between Perth and McIver stations, closed on 1 October 2019.[162] The last level crossing on the Airport line route, the Caledonian Avenue level crossing in Maylands, closed on 15 April 2022. The level crossing's boom gates were down for almost four hours per day, and due to the increase in frequency when the Airport line opens, it was decided the level crossing had to close. Replacing the level crossing with a bridge or underpass was considered, but those options were eliminated as they would require the demolition of several houses.[163][164]
Opening
The first train entered the tunnel in March 2022 to test the tunnel's ventilation system, using the train to measure its resistance to airflow.[165] In an interview in April 2022, Saffioti reiterated that she intended the line would open by the end of June 2022.[166] Following the state budget on 12 May 2022, the government changed its position, now saying the line will open some time later in the year,[167][168] although a specific opening date was not provided.[169][170] A report by the Auditor General of Western Australia released in June 2022 criticised the government for its lack of transparency for major projects, including the Forrestfield–Airport Link. The project was assessed as being within its approved budget of $1.86 billion though.[171][172] Three emergency readiness exercises occurred in July 2022.[170][173][174] The West Australian also reported in July that there were delays due to problems with mobile phone coverage in the tunnels and problems with exhaust fans that are meant to extract smoke in the event of a fire.[173][175] Driver training, expected to take eight weeks to complete, began on 8 August 2022.[176]
In August, the opening date was revealed to be Sunday 9 October 2022.[177] The Forrestfield–Airport Link achieved practical completion on 30 September.[178] The line was officially opened on 9 October by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Mark McGowan, and Transport Minister Saffioti.[179][180] To celebrate, a community open day was organised for High Wycombe and Redcliffe stations on the day of the opening, which involved live entertainment and food.[181] Revamped bus services commenced on Monday 10 October.[182] The Forrestfield–Airport Link ended up $20 million under budget,[178][183] and remains the only Metronet project not to go over budget.[184]
Description
The Airport line branch uses 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge track[185] and has a maximum speed of 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph).[1] Trains are powered by 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line equipment. In the tunnels, where space is limited, a rigid overhead conductor rail is used.[186] The Airport line branch is powered by a substation near High Wycombe station.[1][186] The Midland and Fremantle lines are powered by substations near East Perth and City West stations.[1]
The Airport line uses fixed block signalling. As part of Metronet's High Capacity Signalling Project, the Transperth rail network will be upgraded to moving block signalling using communications-based train control (CBTC).[187][188] As of 2021, the CBTC system is planned to be implemented on the Airport, Midland and Fremantle lines by June 2027. This will allow for 30 trains per hour on the Claremont to Bayswater section of track and 15 trains per hour on the Airport line branch.[189]
Route
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The Airport line branch's and service's eastern terminus is at High Wycombe station, an above ground station next to the Kwinana railway line and Forrestfield Marshalling Yard. The station serves High Wycombe, Forrestfield, Maida Vale, Gooseberry Hill, and Kalamunda.[19]: 17 From there, the line heads north, entering the tunnel soon after and curving west, passing under the freight railway and marshalling yard, entering Perth Airport land, and passing under the site of a future third runway.[19]: 7 At the 2.4-kilometre (1.5 mi) mark,[1]: 100 the line reaches Airport Central station, which is an underground station in the car park for Perth Airport terminals one and two. The line travels further west, bending northwest to travel under the airport's two runways.[19]: 7 At the 5.1-kilometre (3.2 mi) mark,[1]: 100 the line reaches Redcliffe station, located in the residential area of Redcliffe, 1 kilometre (1 mi) from Perth Airport terminals three and four. The line travels northwest from there, under the former Brearley Avenue and then Tonkin Highway. The line passes under the Swan River and then surfaces just north of Guildford Road in Bayswater.[19]: 6 The Airport line enters between the two tracks of the Midland line and rises up to ground level to join the Midland line[190] at the 8.6-kilometre (5.3 mi) mark.[1]: 100
Along the Midland line, Airport line services continue, stopping at seven stations along the way to Perth station, which is the centre of the Transperth network. Past Perth station, Airport line services travel along the Fremantle line to Claremont station,[191] where they terminate at the turnback sidings.[133]
Stations
The Airport line has twenty stations, including Showgrounds station, where trains only stop during events at Claremont Showground.[192]
All stations on the Airport line branch are fully accessible[193] and have 150-metre (490 ft) long island platforms, long enough for a six-car train.[19]: 15–17 Most stations along the Midland and Fremantle line section have only 100-metre (330 ft) platforms, limiting the length of trains that can use the Airport line. The exceptions are Bayswater, East Perth, Perth, and West Leederville stations. The remaining stations are planned to be lengthened eventually.[194] Along the Midland and Fremantle line section, there are nine stations which are not fully accessible and seven stations which are fully accessible. Factors limiting accessibility include non-compliant ramps, a lack of tactile paving, large platform gaps, and pedestrian level crossings.[193]
| Icon | Purpose |
|---|---|
| § | Special events station |
| Station | Image | Distance from Perth[1] | Location | Opened | Connections[191] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km | mi | |||||
| High Wycombe |  |
15.8 | 9.8 | High Wycombe | 9 October 2022 | Bus |
| Airport Central |  |
13.4 | 8.3 | Perth Airport | 9 October 2022 | Bus, Perth Airport terminals 1 and 2 |
| Redcliffe |  |
10.7 | 6.6 | Redcliffe, Perth Airport | 9 October 2022 | Bus, Perth Airport terminals 3 and 4 |
| Bayswater | .jpg) |
6.7 | 4.2 | Bayswater | 28 September 1896[195] | Bus, Ellenbrook and Midland lines |
| Meltham | .jpg) |
5.5 | 3.4 | Bayswater | 14 June 1948[196] | Ellenbrook and Midland lines |
| Maylands |  |
4.5 | 2.8 | Maylands | 1 February 1900[197] | Ellenbrook and Midland lines |
| Mount Lawley |  |
3.2 | 2.0 | Mount Lawley | 10 April 1907[198] | Ellenbrook and Midland lines |
| East Perth | .jpg) |
2.1 | 1.3 | East Perth, Perth | 15 June 1969[195] | Ellenbrook and Midland lines, Transwa coaches, AvonLink, MerredinLink, Prospector,[199] and Indian Pacific[200] |
| Claisebrook |  |
1.3 | 0.8 | East Perth, Perth | 1883[201] | Armadale, Ellenbrook, Midland and Thornlie–Cockburn lines |
| McIver |  |
0.7 | 0.4 | Perth | 14 August 1989[202] | Armadale, Ellenbrook, Midland and Thornlie–Cockburn lines |
| Perth |  |
0.0 | 0.0 | Perth | 1 March 1881[203] | Bus at Perth Busport Australind, Armadale, Ellenbrook, Fremantle, Mandurah, Midland, Thornlie–Cockburn, and Yanchep lines |
| City West |  |
−1.6 | −1.0 | West Perth | 1883[201] | Fremantle line |
| West Leederville |  |
−2.7 | −1.7 | Subiaco, West Leederville | 1897[201] | Fremantle line |
| Subiaco |  |
−3.6 | −2.2 | Subiaco | 1883[201] | Bus, Fremantle line |
| Daglish |  |
−4.9 | −3.0 | Daglish, Subiaco | 14 July 1924[204] | Fremantle line |
| Shenton Park |  |
−6.0 | −3.7 | Shenton Park | 1 September 1908[205] | Bus, Fremantle line |
| Karrakatta |  |
−7.6 | −4.7 | Karrakatta | 1896[201] | Fremantle line |
| Loch Street |  |
−8.0 | −5.0 | Claremont, Karrakatta | 28 November 1954[206] | Fremantle line |
| Showgrounds§ |  |
−8.7 | −5.4 | Claremont | 2 October 1954[207] | Fremantle line |
| Claremont |  |
−9.4 | −5.8 | Claremont | 1881[201] | Bus, Fremantle line |
Service
Transperth train services are operated by the Public Transport Authority.[208] Airport line headways are 12 minutes during peak, 15 minutes outside peak and on weekends, and half-an-hour or an hour at night. A few services in the early morning and at night only run between Perth and High Wycombe; the rest of the services run the full length of the line to Claremont. The travel time end-to-end is 38 minutes. Trains commence at 5:09 am on weekdays, 5:31 am on Saturdays, and 7:01 am on Sundays, and end at 12:25 am on weeknights and 2:12 am on weekend nights.[192] These operating hours have been criticised for not meeting early morning FIFO flights,[209] but the government says that the Airport line meets 80 percent to 85 percent of all flights in and out of Perth Airport, and that the line needs to be available for maintenance at night. The 12-minute peak frequency required the Midland and Fremantle lines to reduce their peak frequency from every 10 minutes upon the Airport line's opening.[210]
Rolling stock
The main rolling stock used on the Airport line are Transperth B-series trains. These trains entered service between 2004 and 2019,[211] have a maximum speed of 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph), and consist of three cars. Each car has two doors per side.[212] In 2016, the final 10 B-series trains were ordered specifically for the Airport line.[213][214]
Patronage
Six months after opening, it was reported that the Airport line had 12,000 passengers per day, below the 20,000 expected.[215] In the latest financial year, 2025–26, the Airport line had 6,229,613 boardings.[216]
| Year | Patronage | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 2,871,117 | — |
| 2023–24 | 4,860,015 | +69.27% |
| 2024–25 | 5,619,693 | +15.63% |
| 2025–26 | 6,229,613 | +10.85% |
See also
Notes
- This includes 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi) from High Wycombe station to Bayswater junction, 4.9 kilometres (3.0 mi) from Bayswater junction to East Perth station, and 11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi) from East Perth station to Claremont station.[1]