23/12/97
Transport Minister Eric Charlton today announced the completion of the first stage in the competitive tender process to contract out the remainder of Transperth's bus services.
It was part of the continuing reform process which began last year and had resulted in passenger boardings increasing by 3.7 per cent, or almost two million passengers - the first overall increase in nine years.
The latest stage involved the tender of the Joondalup North, Armadale South and the Kalamunda service areas which were offered to Transperth's existing private sector operators, Path Transit, Southern Coast Transit and Swan Transit.
The Joondalup North service area will be awarded to Australian Transit Enterprises Pty Ltd operating in Western Australia as Path Transit.
The Armadale South and Kalamunda service areas will be awarded to the Swan Transit Group Pty Ltd.
Path Transit currently operates Transperth services in the Marmion - Wanneroo service area which is adjacent to the Joondalup North area. Both Armadale and Kalamunda South service areas adjoin Swan Transit's existing operating areas.
"This is a very good result for the areas involved and the existing operators adjacent to those areas," Mr Charlton said.
"The operators will now be able to provide a more flexible and effective service by co-ordinating the existing resources with the needs of the outlying areas.
"Both operators are tried and tested and innovation will continue to be a major factor in delivering a better range of Transperth services.
"Swan recently undertook a complete revision of the Midland operation and are now delivering a huge 40 per cent increase in service for a cost increase of just 14 per cent.
"Similarly, Path has introduced a new service running down the coast from Mullaloo to Fremantle and has set a new standard in convenience with the introduction of its first two low-floor buses.
"I am confident the same type of innovation will deliver considerable benefits to these outer metropolitan area."
The change-over to the new operators is expected to be effective from Sunday, January 18, 1998.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 08 9321 7333
