In a major milestone for the METRONET program, the Australian and Western Australian governments have today announced passenger train services on the new Yanchep Rail Extension will formally commence on Monday 15 July.
The METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension project has extended the Joondalup Line 14.5 kilometres north from Butler, with three new stations built in Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.
The extended line will connect tens of thousands of people in the city’s growing northern corridor to Perth’s metropolitan rail network for the first time and help to develop activity centres by unlocking residential and commercial land.
Over recent months the rail line extension has been undergoing extensive testing and commissioning, with driver training set to commence next week.
The Government has also announced the train line will be renamed the Yanchep Line. The line is currently known as the Joondalup Line – a name it has held since it was first constructed in 1992.
The extension has involved 41,085 sleepers and 90,000 tonnes of ballast, while three new fauna bridges are the first to be built over rail in Western Australia.
When passenger services start, it will be a 49-minute journey from Yanchep to Perth, a 46-minute journey from Eglinton to Perth and a 41-minute journey from Alkimos to Perth.
The Cook Government has also announced plans for a community celebration on Sunday 14 July, the day before passenger services commence.