AvonLink and MerredinLink

[ozbob]

http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Services/AvonLink.aspx

AvonLink and MerredinLink - Midland/East Perth to Northam/Merredin

The first AvonLink left Northam at 6.55am on September 24, 1995, with the service being operated by a single power car from the Prospector fleet. The event attracted considerable fanfare, it being the first new country passenger train service in Western Australia in 47 years. It arrived in Perth at 8.27am to more celebrations, not the least because it was the State's first dedicated, long-distance commuter train.

In late June 2004, an additional service between Perth and Merredin three times a week was added. This service is known as the MerredinLink. These extra train services provide a transport option for people in communities such as Cunderdin, Tammin, Kellerberrin and Merredin as well as other smaller rural towns in the region.

When planning for the new Prospector fleet took place it was decided to build a dedicated commuter train for the AvonLink service. This train provided significantly increased capacity and hence allows for increased patronage well into the future. The $12 million AvonLink train made its maiden trip from Northam to the city on August 1, 2005, in the process officially marking the end of service for the 'old' Prospector railcars. This train also provides the MerredinLink service. Like the Prospector, the AvonLink was built in Newcastle and was put through extensive local testing before its introduction to service.

The AvonLink provides one of the most comfortable commuter train rides in Australia with air conditioning throughout, cloth seats, footrests, access to power points for laptop computers and background music. It operates twice daily, Monday to Friday between Midland, Toodyay and Northam. The MerredinLink operates from the East Perth Rail Terminal to Merredin and return on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Passengers please note, that Credit Card and Eftpos facilities are not available for the purchase of tickets on AvonLink services.

In the past seven years it is estimated that the two services have travelled one million kilometres. The AvonLink joins the Prospector and Australind train services as part of Transwa regional rail service.

[ozbob]

http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?tabid=118&ArticleID=711

Expansion of AvonLink Service

Transwa's AvonLink rail service which operates beween Northam and Midland will receive nine extra return services per week from December 1, 2014. This will include two extra return services on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, a new return service on weekends and one return service for 10 special events per year. Timetable information will be available in the near future. For more information telephone 1300 662 205.

[ozbob]

Transwa AvonLink --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transwa_AvonLink

[ozbob]

Marvellous stuff!  Well done WA ...

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> AvonLink trial services to be cut down

Poor patronage will end the expanded timetable trial of AvonLink regional services in Western Australia, but the McGowan Government will provide funds to keep once-daily return services from Northam and three return services per week to Merredin.

The AvonLink train service only had funding to run until June 30, 2017.

A trial began in December 2014 to roughly triple the number of Midland-Toodyay-Northam trips on offer on the service.

However, the service boost only resulted in a small increase in passenger numbers, with an average AvonLink train only at 15% occupancy – down from 21% before the trial – or the equivalent of just 16 passengers per train.

Rather than discontinue AvonLink services entirely, the McGowan Government has announced $800,000 in funding to keep one return service to Northam each day, and three Merredin return services throughout the week.

"The State Government is very supportive of public transport, in regional WA as well as the greater metropolitan area," transport minister Rita Saffioti said.

"I'm glad we could continue to fund AvonLink and we will be engaging with relevant stakeholders in tourism, ageing and local shires to discuss opportunities to optimise the train service.

"The previous government had not funded AvonLink beyond June 30, meaning we had to find an additional $800,000 to retain the service.

"I would like to thank the community representatives involved with the AvonLink working group and the supporter groups over the last three years who supported the service."