The 19-stop service will start operations on Monday, July 1, running every 7-8 minutes from 6.30am to 7.30pm on weekdays. Buses will also run at 6am and 6.15am.
Public Transport Authority (PTA) spokesman David Hynes said the service would help commuters negotiate travel into the city during the shutdowns in July and August.
The $8.2 million CAT service is a part of the State Government’s CBD Transport Plan addressing city congestion, with seven buses purchased to be used as green CATs.
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READ NOWThe route will run between the Esplanade Busport and a new Leederville Train Station terminus, via St Georges Terrace, City West and Loftus Street.
‘After a period of public consultation, this was designed by Transperth planners to service the areas to the west of the greater city precinct, not well serviced by the existing CATs,’ Mr Hynes said.
A trip into or out of the city is expected to take between 25 and 30 minutes.
City of Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan welcomed the service for commuters, but said it would not have any direct benefit for Leederville.
‘Fundamentally, this is designed to get people off the Joondalup line so they do not have to come into the city and come out again ” that is a huge point of congestion in the public transport system,’ she said. ‘It won’t have a big effect on Leederville because it’s not terribly accessible for this side.’
She said the City was working with the Town of Cambridge to create better links with West Leederville.
Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the additional CAT route would reduce the need for short car trips around the CBD.
‘Of course we would love greater frequency and more routes, but it is growing and everything comes at a cost,’ she said. The Leederville terminus is located outside the free transit area, but commuters using the green CAT will not be charged, while train passengers will still be charged the $2.80 one-zone fee.