METRONET Expands With New Rail Lines Opening
In another milestone for Perth’s METRONET rail network, the new Thornlie-Cockburn Line and the elevated inner-section of the Armadale Line have been officially opened, giving communities in Perth’s south-east world-class public transport and better connections to the wider Perth area.
The 17-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Line is Perth’s first east-west cross line connection. It includes new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, along with major upgrades to the Thornlie, Cockburn Central, and Perth Stadium stations.
The new line will add significant resilience to the broader rail network, while also providing a direct route from the Mandurah Line to Optus Stadium for the first time.
It means more trains will be able to arrive and depart from Optus Stadium during major events and games.
Commuters will have a 27-minute journey to Perth from Nicholson Road Station and a 31-minute journey from Ranford Road Station.
Passengers will continue to benefit from the two-zone cap currently in place, paying no more than $4.68 with an autoload SmartRider.
There are 1,400 parking bays across the three stations, while more than 20 new bus routes have been added to support connectivity.
Eleven of these new bus routes will travel to and from the Ranford Road and Nicholson Road stations, giving passengers convenient access to the wider public transport network.
The project has been an enormous construction feat, with more than 84,000 sleepers and 180,000 tonnes of gravel used to build the new passenger line while the existing 22km freight line had to be relocated.
The project has also supported more than 1,600 jobs throughout construction.
Connecting to the new Thornlie-Cockburn Line will be the new 8km elevated inner-section of the Armadale Line.
Five new modern stations at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park, Cannington, and Beckenham are now operational, while finishing works around the stations, including on the new activated parkland area under the elevated rail, will be completed over the coming months.
The activated parkland area under the elevated rail will be known as ‘Long Park’ and will stretch 7km.
It will include a range of new facilities and amenities for the community.
The construction works on the inner Armadale Line have created more than 4,300 jobs, highlighting the importance of government investment in critical infrastructure projects.
The remainder of the Armadale Line will re-open in the coming months when the new Armadale and Byford stations are complete.
Stations at Sherwood, Challis, Kelmscott, Seaforth, Gosnells, Maddington, and Kenwick will also re-open.
A formal reopening date for the remainder of the Armadale Line will be announced soon.
As stated by Western Australian Premier Roger Cook:
“METRONET has transformed the face of Perth by making travel more affordable, taking cars off our roads and creating thousands of jobs over the past eight years.
“We know how important our expanded public transport network will be in the coming years with Western Australia’s booming economy and growing population.
“That’s why my government is delivering more affordable and accessible transport options whether through our commitment to halve Transwa fares, cap Transperth fares at one zone or expand our ferry network with new stops along the Swan River.
“Through the new METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Line and stations on the inner Armadale Line, we are giving people in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs more travel choices, addressing road congestion, and stimulating land development to help deliver well-planned and more liveable communities.
“This historic day marks a transformative moment for Perth’s public transport.
“These projects aren’t just about infrastructure, they’re about connecting people and creating opportunities and vibrant communities.
“This is the future of transport in WA, and it’s here today.”
Quotes As put by Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Projects like the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Line and the wider METRONET program highlight the importance of the partnership between the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments to provide more transportation options in fast-growing areas of Western Australia.
“WA’s first major elevated line through Victoria Park and Canning will boost growth and accessibility in the south-eastern suburbs and provide easier access to employment opportunities.”
As stated by WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Over the past three years, we have seen METRONET transform our city, and today we mark another major milestone with the Thornlie-Cockburn Line delivering our first east-west rail connection between the Mandurah and Armadale lines.
“This new line will deliver a significant boost to the resilience of our rail network, connect tens of thousands of people to a train line for the first time and provide a direct connection to Optus Stadium for people on the Mandurah Line.
“Today, we also mark the opening of eight kilometres of elevated rail on the inner-section of the Armadale Line and five new incredible stations all of it delivered in just 18 months.
“Both of these projects have been critical job creators and boosted our local economy, while the new train lines will serve our communities for decades to come.
“Later this year, we will see the completion of the Byford Rail Extension and the opening of the parkland underneath the elevated rail, continuing the incredible transformation of the Armadale Line.
“I want to once again thank the community for their patience while we deliver this critical project.”
As stated by Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, DefencePersonnel and Member for Burt Matt Keogh:
“I’m so proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government that’s partnering with the Cook Labor Government to deliver the critical transport improvements Perth’s south-eastern suburbs needs, with better rail and connecting buses.
“I look forward to the remainder of the Armadale Train Line reopening soon.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Joint-media-statement—METRONET-network-elevated-with-major-new-rail-lines-officially-open-20250608