- $10.3 million allocated to make Red and Blue CAT bus expansion permanent
- Expansion introduced in late 2021 has been well received by travelling public
- Expansion included 20 new bus stops, increased frequency, and more evening services
A trial extension of the popular Red and Blue CAT bus services will become permanent after more than $10 million was allocated in the Cook Labor Government's 2024-25 State Budget for their continued operation.
Several changes to the two routes were announced in late 2021, which included the installation of more than 20 new bus stops across the CBD.
The expansion saw the Red CAT service extended to include Matagarup Bridge, while several extra evening services were added on a Friday and Saturday night, allowing passengers to continue using the free bus until midnight.
The Blue CAT was expanded to operate from the Perth Busport via Northbridge and Elizabeth Quay to new stops in Kings Park.
The changes were well received by the travelling public, with patronage on the Blue CAT up 63 per cent from October 2021 to October 2023. Red CAT patronage was up 40 per cent in the same period.
The $10.3 million in additional funding to permanently expand the two services will be allocated from the Perth Parking Levy.
The additional funding continues the Cook Government's strong investment in initiatives and projects that will benefit residents and businesses within the CBD including the ECU City Campus, Causeway Pedestrian and Cycling Bridges and WACA Ground redevelopment.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"CAT buses have always been a vital public transport cog for our CBD, both for tourists visiting our great city and for locals getting to and from work or busy sites like Kings Park, Royal Perth Hospital, and the WA Museum Boola Bardip.
"They provide a free and easy way to travel around Perth, but it is important that they cater to the travelling public's needs in terms of where and how frequently they stop.
"The changes introduced in 2021 have been very popular with users of both services, so more than $10 million in additional funding from the Perth Parking Levy has been allocated to ensure the expanded operation of both the Red and Blue CAT well into the future."
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
"Our Government is investing hundreds of millions to create jobs, economic activity, attract people and support small business in our city, including the new ECU City Campus.
"Given this major investment, we've already expanded CAT Bus Services to the University of Western Australia and introduced evening services on the Red CAT.
"We're working to make our city more liveable, attractive and vibrant for locals and visitors alike and I'm proud that we continue to expand our public transport networks across Perth."
