Fight for late night trains
Rockingham and Mandurah train users are outraged the weekend late night trains will be axed in April, claiming it will deter them from visiting the Perth CBD.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the services would be cancelled because of "low patronage".
Rockingham 18-year-old Lauren Peck said she caught the train into the city to go nightclubbing or attend concerts.
She said the train offered an easy and safe alternative to waiting in the "antisocial taxi line" or worrying about needing a designated driver.
"If there wasn't a late night train home I wouldn't bother going to Perth because it's too hard," she said.
Mandurah resident Matt Rogers works in Perth and commutes via the train.
He said he loved the city lifestyle and often attended Friday after-work drinks and felt reassured by the "reliable" train which ran after midnight.
"For a lot of Mandurah people the train is their one affordable and reliable connection to the city and I could quite easily see them avoiding Perth if there is no safe way home," Mr Rogers said.
Cutting those trains will mean late night revellers who want to catch the train home will have to wait for the next day's services to start at 6am on Saturday and 7.15am on Sunday.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman slammed the decision, claiming it would be a detriment to Mandurah residents and the restaurants, bars and various businesses in Perth.
"Mandurah people wanting to enjoy concerts, movies and other Perth-based events will not be able to go for coffee or drinks afterwards without being left stranded or at the mercy of a $200 taxi fare home," he said.
Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan firmly believes the free late night trains are important but Rockingham residents would be open to paying a standard fare to keep the service running.
Mr Rogers and Miss Peck agreed they would prefer to pay instead of losing the trains.
Scrapping the trains is expected to save the State Government an estimated $6 million over four years.
Mr Nalder encouraged people to vote with their feet if they wanted to keep the service.
The Public Transport Authority has been asked to monitor the number of people on the trains and - if there is a substantial and sustained increase in patronage - the decision would be reviewed.
