Western Australia’s Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has pledged a series of measures to reduce Perth’s traffic congestion. The plan improves direct rail access to Perth Airport and would add an extra 17,000 parking bays around the rail network over the next eight years.
The pre-election commitment comes as part of Labor’s $3.8B Metronet Plan aimed at tackling the ‘congestion crisis’ faced by the city as over 1000 new residents move to Perth every week.
According to the West Australian, Mr McGowan said, if elected his government would build about 750 car parking bays at each new station (excluding Perth Airport) and include “super” car parks at some outer stations connected by bus feeder services.
“Bringing people in on buses from satellite car parks using high frequency buses will avoid congestion by removing up to 50 cars for each bus,” he said.
It has previously been reported in the West Australian that Premier Colin Barnett has responded to the Opposition’s ‘ambitious’ plan with his own promise to build a rail link to Perth International and Domestic airports, including some 3000 car parking bays by 2018.
WA’s state election will be held on March 9.