- More than 127 million people used public transport between 1 January and 31 October
- Patronage levels across first 10 months of 2025 are the highest on record
- 2025 on track to be the highest calendar year on record for patronage
- First four months of the new financial year are also the highest on record
- Cook Government committed to delivering quality infrastructure and services across Western Australia
Public transport is the most popular it has ever been, with patronage numbers continuing to topple records.
With 10 months of data for 2025 now available, Transperth patronage has hit a new year-to-date record, with 127,027,067 passengers jumping on a train, bus, or ferry by 31 October, a jump of more than three million boardings, or 2.6 per cent, from the corresponding period last year.
The previous best January to October on record was set in 2013, where 125,433,433 boardings were recorded across the three modes.
The figures place 2025 on track to be the highest calendar year on record for patronage across the public transport network.
Patronage data from the first four months of this financial year was also an all-time high, with 52,059,016 boardings, with July, September, and October all recording their best ever monthly totals.
These numbers do not reflect the under-reporting of passengers on school bus services and show strong results considering the full Armadale Line only reopened to passengers in October.
These numbers outline the success of the Cook Government's METRONET program and several cost-of-living policies that have focused on keeping public transport fares affordable, including free weekday travel for students, free travel every Sunday, and the two-zone fare cap.
These cost-saving measures will go a step further from 1 January 2026 with the introduction of the Suburban Flat Fare for any bus, train or ferry trip, meaning a journey will cost as little as $2.80 for those using an autoload SmartRider.
Passengers will also have more payment options very soon with the rollout of credit and debit card payments before the end of the year.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're on track for our biggest year of public transport usage on record, showing the real difference our nation-leading train, bus, and ferry services are making to the lives of every day Western Australians.
"The WA Labor Government has transformed our State's public transport network through METRONET, making it easier for Western Australians to get around, and access the education and employment opportunities that improve quality of life and keep our economy strong.
"Through METRONET we have laid 72 kilometres of new rail lines and we're on track to deliver 23 brand new stations, most recently in Byford and Armadale, with the new Midland Station to be online early next year.
"We're continuing to make public transport more accessible and affordable - we've made public transport free on Sundays and for students travelling to and from school, and as of 1 January 2026, fares will be capped at one-zone for all journeys across the Transperth network.
"Passengers will soon also be able to tap their credit or debit card to pay for their ride, with contactless payments being introduced by the end of this year which is sure to boost passenger numbers further.
"Our government is continuing our record investment in public transport to ensure our network meets the needs of our growing population and can continue to serve Western Australians for decades to come."
