Arabic version: أستراليا الغربية تدرس إعادة قطارات الركاب بين بيرث وألباني

According to ABC News, the Western Australian government’s plan to buy back the state’s freight rail network could allow consideration of a passenger service between Perth and Albany. Passenger trains on the route were cancelled in 1978, and previous efforts to restore the line have not succeeded.

The Great Southern Railway, built in the 1900s, runs 450 kilometres from Perth to Albany through towns including Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Tambellup and Mount Barker. Rail advocacy group Countrynet Rail Alliance has called for an economic investigation and feasibility study into restoring agricultural and passenger services following the proposed network buyback.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said returning the regional network to public control was the government’s top priority. The spokesperson said public control would enable consideration of new passenger rail opportunities, while noting that a viable service would need significant capital investment and ongoing operating funding compared with road transport.

The proposal is supported by the City of Albany and other towns along the route. Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said a restored service could provide a tourism experience through the hinterland and support businesses and the wider Great Southern economy. Katanning Shire President Kristy D’Aprile said passenger rail could improve access to health care, education and other services in Albany or Perth, while helping local employers attract and retain workers. Curtin University sustainability professor Peter Newman said regional rail services in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland had helped country towns.