Bus, train and ferry patronage in Western Australia hit near-record levels in 2024-25 as ferries proving especially popular.
The state’s Public Transport Authority (PTA) says the 148.7 million boardings last financial year were up 3% on 2023-24, the highest in 11 years; the record remains 149.7 million boardings in 2012-13.
The PTA says buses and ferries logged historic high levels of patronage with 85.9 million boardings for buses and 935,000 boardings for ferries.
In the last 10 years, ferry boardings have grown 140%, the PTA says.
Trains also recorded big numbers with 61.9 million boardings, almost 4% up on 2024-25 and the highest in nearly a decade.
The authority says this figure takes in a record 5.6 million boardings for the Airport Line, an increase of 15% on 2023-24.
PASSENGER SATISFACTION
Transperth’s 36th annual Passenger Satisfaction Monitor (PSM) survey also revealed a high level of public happiness in the network.
The independent survey of regular public transport users held more than 4300 face-to-face interviews over a month earlier this year.
It says satisfaction in all transport modes remains high; nine in 10 respondents was satisfied with Transperth services, including 97% of CAT bus users and 100% of ferry users.
For rail, the Ellenbrook and Airport lines rated the highest with passengers (96% and 95% respectively).
Bus, rail and ferry fares were judged to be at least good value for money with introduced measures including a two-zone fare cap, free travel on Sundays, free travel to and from school for students and free daily travel during the Summer of Free Public Transport.
As of January 1, 2026, the State Government’s new suburban flat fare kicks in; this will cap all public transport fares to a single zone ($2.80 when using SmartRider).
According to the state government, more than 70,000 commuters travel more than two zones every work day.
MINISTER’S REACTION
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti calls the findings “fantastic” and a demonstration of the importantance of the transport network to the public.
“There are now more Western Australians jumping on public transport than at any other time in the past 11 years,” she says.
“Every time someone chooses to jump on a bus, train or ferry, it’s potentially another vehicle off the road.”
Saffioti says the new flat fare will result in even more savings.
“We want to see more people using public transport,” she says.
