COMMUTING INTO AND GETTING AROUND PERTH

Commuting into Perth and getting around Perth is easy if you want to move between key destinations. However, it is not as easy to get around Perth if you want to move between suburbs that are not on a main route.

A large number of the population in WA live in Perth and the surrounding suburbs. For those people who work in the CBD (Central Business District) living within a commutable distance from the City Centre will be important.

The suburb they live in will be relative to, their budget, the lifestyle they want, the distance the suburb is away from Perth and the amount of time they are prepared to spend travelling to and from work.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT – TRANSPERTH

Public transport in Perth is made up of a combination of trains (most stations have a park and ride system), buses and ferries. Public transport is managed by Transperth.

In regards to the fare you will pay, Perth is divided in to zones with the fare calculated on the zones you will be traveling in and the time taken.

You can pay by the trip or you can purchase what is known as the SmartRider, this is a debit card which offers a discount on the purchase of multipe journeys in advance. The SmartRider can be used on the buses, train and ferries.

Public transport is generally available until midnight Sunday – Thursday and 2am on Friday and Saturday. When there are special events in Perth then Transperth will often put on special transport which is generally free. Transport is also free within the city of Perth as long as you get in and of within the CBD (Central Business District).

In the CBD you will also find an additional FREE bus servicve which is knon as the CAT (Central Area Transit). There is also a CAT available in Joondalup.

Perth has five train lines leaving Perth Train Station.

1. The Clarkson Line goes North along the Freeway to Clarkson.
2. The Armadale line goes South East to Armadale.
3. The Midland line goes North East to Midland
4. The Freemantle line goes South East of Perth to the Port of Freemantle.
5. The Mandurah line travels South down to Mandurah.

For many people being close to a train station could be an important consideration when selecting where to live as it will make that commute less stressful.

TAXIS

Within the CBD and some of the suburbs you will find numerous taxi stands or you can call them and book a taxi direct.

Taxis are generally licenced to carry four passengers although you can et a maxi taxi, which will carry eight passengers. If you need a maxi cab (most have facility for wheelchairs) then you will need to mention this when you make your booking.

Taxis charge based on a flagfall and rate for distance travelled(the same for taxi and maxi cab)

MOTORING

Western Australia is very large and the driving conditions will vary depending on where you are.

The majority of the population live in the Perth metro area where the driving conditions are good. The climate as it is I have never had to drive in snow or fog, although I have been caught driving out in the occasional downpour.

One thing I noticed when we first arrived in Perth and had to find our way round is that the roads are on a grid system. This makes finding your way around easy.

Although you are encouraged to use the public transport system Perth is a car orientated city.

Many will use the public transport to get in to Perth but will use their car to get to the train station. Most stations offer a park and ride system so this works well.

Kiss and ride is another popular method of getting to public transport. As the name suggests commuters are dropped off at the train station by their loved ones and given a kiss as they go on to make the rest of their journey. Laybys are available at the stations for this to work smoothly.

MAJOR ROADS

Perth has major freeways, The Mitchell Freeway is the primary access serving the northern suburbs which is situated about 6km in from the coast and runs north of Perth for about 30k as far as the City of Joondalup (but plans are underway to extend further north).

The Kiwana freeway travels south.

Reid Highway runs off the Mitchell Freeway North of Perth and travels inland towards the Swan Valley.

Then left off Reid Highway just before Guilford there is the Tonkin Highway. The Tonkin Highway runs South and down towards Gosnells.

Running from the Coast Inland South of Perth we have both the Canning Highway and the Leach Highway.

Guess I need to locate a map to show you here really lets see what I can do…

Peak hours in the Perth metro area are at each end of the day between 6am and 8.30am in the morning and 4pm – 6.30pm in the evening. The roads do get busy during this time and the speed you travel at will be slow but nothig like I remember rush hour in the UK.

BY AIR

Perth is the most remotest city in the world. However, it is serviced by over 12 international airports with many porviding daily services into Perth, Western Australia.

You can travel internationally or to the other major Australian cities and regional centres from either Perth domestic or international airports.

Australias east coast is a four to five hour flight while a trip back to London UK would take you about 17 hours in the air.