Money scarce for $4b vision

No significant money has yet been put aside for the State Government's $4.1 billion public transport plan unveiled yesterday.

See the plan here.

And while admitting the plan "doesn't come cheap", Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the project was vital for a modern city and would be money well spent.

The plan says the total cost of running and maintaining Perth's public transport system would be $1.2 billion by 2013 - up from $691 million in 2009-10. And over the next 21 years, the total cost of putting on more trains, buses and light rail vehicles was expected to be $1.2 billion and the infrastructure total would be $2.9 billion.

The plan acknowledges that the State Government and public transport users traditionally pay for the system.

But it says other ways of paying for public transport have to be looked at.

It suggested a congestion tax and a charge on developers whose land values would increase as new transport links are built.

A congestion tax is usually paid by motorists who use major roads during peak times.

The tax operates differently in London, Stockholm, Singapore and Milan.

Mr Buswell said the tax was "not currently being considered".

RAC head of member advocacy Matt Brown said he would not want to see motorists taxed to pay for public transport.

But Mr Buswell said a developer charge should be looked at. The plan also suggests that projects be developed with help from the private sector and by attracting Federal money through Infrastructure Australia.

It says an independent pricing mechanism should be set up to make recommendations to the Government on fare pricing.

This would allow consideration to be given to different charges for peak and non-peak travel, based on the higher running costs during busy times.

"A detailed funding plan and strategy needs to be prepared by the Department of Transport and the Public Transport Authority in consultation with the Department of Treasury and Finance for consideration by the Government," the plan said.

"The opportunities to adopt alternative or additional funding sources will change over time.