Ticket to Transit
Written by Natalie Yeo - May 6th, 2025
30 September 1899
Electric trams are finally here in Perth, courtesy of Perth Electric Tramways Ltd. As you skim the article on The Argonaut newspaper, your eyes fall onto the black and white photograph at the bottom of the page. ‘The old order changeth, yielding place to new’, the caption split between two photos — one of a horse-drawn carriage and the other of an electric tram (Perth Trams, 1899).
Indeed, times are changing, and horse-drawn carriages have slowly been phased out in favour of the railway. After all, why trouble yourselves with a bumpy carriage ride when the steam engine railway is there as a perfectly viable, and more comfortable mode of transport?
You roll up the newspaper, adjust your boater hat and head off. You’d like to try out these electric trams, with how they were a marvel of modern engineering and imported all the way from England.
In a few years from now, the first omnibus would arrive, carrying passengers from Victoria Park to the city. But motor buses wouldn’t really take off until nearly 50 years later. For the time being, trams (and trolley buses in 1933) would be a significant part of Western Australia’s transport infrastructure.
19 July 1958
The last tram in Inglewood has officially ceased service (Perth Electric Tramway Society, n.d.). As of this date, Perth would be the only state in Australia without any trams in operation (Carpenter, 1999). With the rise of private motor cars and complaints of tram tracks getting in the way, the Western Australia Government Tramways & Ferries (WAGTF) department saw it fit to utilise the dwindling funds into trolley buses.
You much prefer the quieter mode of transport anyways. Sure, there are cases of the cars tipping, but that isn’t an issue so long as you disembark from the bus safely. Also, with the petrol rationing going on, trolley buses which operate via electricity is a much more sustainable investment. Most people saw it coming anyways, Fremantle had ceased their tram operations six years ago as well. It is only a matter of time until Perth follows suit.
The trolley bus you are waiting for slides to a stop in front of you, its green and beige-painted chassis greeting you. The young lady in front of you, dressed in a blouse and capri pants steps on board cautiously, holding onto the side of the door for balance. You take note of how shaky the trolley car appears, and follow suit behind her. You take your seat near the window, and to your left, a pair of strangers begin conversing with one another.
‘Have you seen the motor buses around Victoria Park?’ a young, sharply dressed man asks.
‘No, but I’ve heard from a couple friends who drive that they’re much better looking than the trolley buses,’ his companion, dressed in a long black jacket and pointed shoes replies.
‘You think these will go soon, then?’
‘Maybe. The electric wires are kind of an eyesore, aren’t they?’
You quickly tune out their conversation when you accidentally meet eyes with one of them. But their words weigh on your mind. There is some truth to it, but at the same time, the future was uncertain.
After all, Sydney and Melbourne have ceased using trolley buses due to their limited load carrying capabilities, but Perth still endured. You suppose in a couple decades from now, motor buses will become the next new thing. The newly formed Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT) is slowly making changes since they bought over a couple private bus companies.
It would only be a matter of time until motor buses increase in popularity.
9 October 1968
Your fingertips feel numb as you grip the rectangular slip of punched paper that was your train ticket. The fare and date, printed in black ink. You slip the ticket back into your pocket and pull your coat tighter around you. Out the window, trees and flat-topped buildings pass you by, while clouds of dust fly up from the speed. The roar of the diesel engine slowly revs up as your view changes to see the bold ‘Midland Junction’ sign come into sight.
Your view is quickly blocked by crowds of people, watching with interest as the train cars glide to a halt. A voice echoes through the speakers, ‘This is Midland Terminal’. You grab your bag, stand up and rush to the doors. Upon exit, you search the crowds of people for a familiar face. Sure enough, you see them – your partner, dressed in their favourite blue flared jeans and an overcoat. A smile lights up on your face as you call out their name, waving to catch their attention. Your partner frantically looks around before seeing you, and the smile on their face matches your own.
They remark on how crowded the station is, but it is to be expected. The Midland Terminal only just opened yesterday (Watson, 1995) after its predecessor, the Midland Junction railway station closed two years ago. With the new diesel engines, the train tracks had to be modified to accommodate the new locomotives. Your conversation is momentarily interrupted by the K Class engine’s roar as it stutters to life again and continues its journey down south towards Guildford.
You both watch as the steel machine rolls down the tracks before going on your way. You have much to catch up on.
24 December 1971
Rumours say the last steam locomotive in Western Australia will be retired soon, if not by this week. You’re not surprised. It’s been over 20 years since diesel trains have been coming in and replacing the large steam engines. You’d miss those majestic vehicles, and the loud whistle it would make as it chugged past on its train tracks while its wheels turned and pushed the steel giant along, billowing puffs of smoke while a worker fed it coal.
The new diesel trains have been streamlined into sleek cuboids, spurring it along at faster speeds while using less energy and coal than its ancestors. While still huge, its steel body is smaller in comparison to its predecessors. In attempt to beautify it, the diesel carriages have been painted in bright colours, drawing the attention of all passers-by alike. Its engine roaring as it rolls past, a distant nod to its steam ancestor’s rhythmic chug.
Diesel trains replaced suburban services three years ago, and this time, it is the steam trains running the regional lines’ turn to go. The era of steam is over.
From the death of steam, comes the birth of diesel and new regional lines. One being the Prospector Line that has been carrying passengers all the way north to Kalgoorlie since November (Public Transport Authority, n.d.).
A television advertisement pops up between your favourite show, and the Western Australian Government Railway (WAGR) boasts that passengers will travel in comfort in air-conditioned cars, and how it was the fastest train in Australia (Railway Archives, 2018). You hum to yourself before picking up a magazine. Come to think of it, you had a friend up north, didn’t you?
Perhaps it was time for a visit.
5 July 1980
You huff as you stand by the bus stand, impatiently looking at your wristwatch and back up to the station clock. Ever since the Fremantle Line was withdrawn last year, you’ve had to rely on the replacement buses to get yourself to Fremantle from the City. After what feels like several minutes, the signature black and white bus pulls up. The numbers ‘760’, the black and yellow boat and city logo on its front, and the MTT’s initials embedded into the side (Mercer, 2024).
As you board the bus, greet the driver who grunts in response, and pay your fare, you can’t help but think how this is all awfully inconvenient. You have no idea what Westrail (formerly WAGR) was thinking, withdrawing the Perth-Fremantle Line like that. You really hope the authorities will listen to the public and bring it back soon.
On another note, you heard from your cousin over the phone that the Kelmscott transfer station had just opened a couple days ago (Public Transport Authority, n.d.). Good for them. At least one part of WA is benefitting from the decisions that the government is making.
The bus is full, no doubt. It is peak work hour, and you can only squish yourself between the masses of people, clutching onto the overhead bar for dear life as the bus swerves into action. As it speeds down roads, you glance at your wristwatch again. You might actually be on time.
1 July 2003
It has been announced that WA will have an agency to oversee the State’s public transport services (Public Transport Authority, 2003). By merging Transperth (formerly MTT), Transwa, regional services and the MetroRail, a new body called the Public Transport Authority will be formed. You’re not entirely sure what the impact of it would be upon civilians such as yourself, but you suppose transport budget allocation might go smoother now that there’s one singular entity overseeing all the other public transport departments.
Currently, you’re on your way to your grandpa in Gosnells. It took a bit of getting accustomed to, but after eight years since Route 231 started servicing Gosnells instead of Armadale, it is about time you got used to the change (WA Government, 1995). A silver and green wrapped Transperth bus pulls up to the bus stop after you wave it down, and its doors open with a slight creak. After letting another passenger alight, you step up, slide your ticket into the reader for validation (poxbox3030, 2015) and collect the paper slip after it spits it back out.
The moment you take your seat, the bus accelerates, rattling you and the other passengers about.
Some things truly never change.
8 December 2024
‘Cheese!’ your friend shouts as they snap a selfie with both of you in front of the Whiteman Park Station sign. You are both dressed in similarly festive fits – red to represent the Ellenbrook Line’s colour and floral patterns on your matching shirts to add some excitement. As you try to get in for a good angle, crowds of excited people jostle you around. Some carrying balloons, others munching on a sausage. All around you, the air is abuzz with excitement and cheer to welcome the opening of the Ellenbrook Line (Metronet, 2024). Amidst the chatter, the strum of a guitar and vocals can be heard by a nearby performer, providing entertainment and background music to the party. It is certainly a lively celebration, and you suspect it will be similar at the other stations the Ellenbrook Line connected to.
Transperth has been working on a number of metro projects recently, you notice. First, the closure of the Armadale-Thornlie Line back in November last year, in which an extension to Byford and a Thornlie-Cockburn link will be installed as part of Metronet’s several projects (Transperth, n.d.). There is also the Yanchep railway extension that was completed back in July, rebranding the former Joondalup Line to the Yanchep Line (Metronet, n.d.).
With at least two to three metro rail projects completed this year, you have a feeling that it’s not going to be the end of it. Transperth, Metronet and the rest of the PTA will continue to work on different aspects of WA’s public transport infrastructure with the aim of improving it for all its residents. It has been over a hundred years since the first tram, and you are interested to see how much further the PTA and its subsidiaries will bring WA’s public transport.
Your friend has finished checking the photos. With a pleased smile and nod, they grab your arm towards the community stalls. There are freebies and all sorts of goodies to be collected at the festival, and they are going to take full advantage of it all. You resign yourself to following them, finding their excitement contagious. Besides, there is a sausage sizzle stall on the way and you are feeling a little peckish.
References
Carpenter, S. (1999). The rise and demise of Perth’s trams and trolley buses.
Mercer, T. (2024, January 27). Perth’s buses in the 1970s & 80s [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3F-vGg3DRw
Metronet. (2024, December 13). Ellenbrook Line officially open! . https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/news/latest-news/ellenbrook-line-officially-open
Metronet. (n.d.). Yanchep rail extension. https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/projects/yanchep-rail-extension
Perth Electric Tramway Society. (n.d.). Perth Tramways 1899-1958. https://www.petswa.org.au/wa-tramways/perth-tramways
Perth Trams. (1899, September 30). The Argonaut, 4. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/28473427
poxbox3030. (2015, November 19). Electronic ticketing – a new era – Transperth 1993 [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvJJ3H8KcA0
Public Transport Authority. (2003, July 1). New PTA to provide better planned and integrated services [Press Release]. https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/news/media-statements/new-pta-to-provide-better-planned-and-integrated-services
Public Transport Authority. (n.d.). Our history. https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/our-role/our-history
Railway Archives. (2018, March 28). ‘The Prospector’ train advert 1970s Western Australia WAGR [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egQ-cs4fg4E
Transperth. (n.d.). Armadale Line shutdown. https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Track-Closures/Armadale-Line-Shutdown
Watson, L. G. (1995). The railway history of Midland Junction.
WA Government. (1995, June 28). New Armadale-Wungong bus service [Press Release]. https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Court%20Coalition%20Government/New-Armadale-Wungong-bus-service-19950628
'Ticket to Transit' initially started as mere curiosity about how Transperth's route numbering system worked. After further research into public transport history, it evolved into its current form — an informative narrative piece centred around public transport as a whole. However, I never did find out why Transperth's route system is like that.
- Natalie Yeo