COMMUTERS told the Guardian Express they were “lost and confused” in the new $217 million Perth Busport as the new facility handled its first true test of commuters this morning.
Shenay Gibbs , travelling from Murdoch to Wembley said, “This is my first time using it; it’s pretty big, I am a bit lost but when it is up and running properly I am sure it will be great.”
Stephanie Walker said the Busport would work a lot better while Bree Walker said she was confused.
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READ NOW“It is a good set-up. I am a bit confused, but it’s my first time here,” Ms Walker said.
“The old busport was easy as; very simple, but it could get crowded. There is plenty of space here.”
Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes said the it had expected passengers to have some problems getting to know the system.
“We expect that to be sorted within a few days,” he said.
“To account for this we’ve got dozens of extra staff in the facility guiding people, showing them where their next service will depart from, and generally showing them how it all works.”
Mr Hynes said he spent the morning at the busport and was pleased with how things were going.
Premier Colin Barnett said last week the underground busport was the “’jewel in the crown” of the Government’s Perth City Link project and would “revolutionise” Perth’s transport network.
“…with its airport-style interior and dynamic stand management system, (the busport) will significantly benefit the millions of commuters who use our city’s integrated transport system each year,” Mr Barnett said.
“This project is transforming public transport across the metropolitan area, as well as the CBD landscape, by reconnecting the inner city with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years.”
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Perth Busport was designed and built to manage Perth’s public transport demands for at least the next 30 years and beyond.
“In the 2014-15 financial year, there were more than 84 million boardings on Transperth buses, the largest of any mode of public transport,” Mr Nalder said.
“Each weekday, about 1400 buses will travel through the facility and there will be about 28,000 passenger movements, which is expected to increase to 38,500 by 2031.”