Western Australia Marks Major Transit Milestones as METRONET Armadale Line and 8km Byford Rail Extension Transform Commuter Corridors with Elevated Rail and Linear Parkland

Elevated Rail Transformation Delivers Modern Mass Transit to Perth’s South-East

PERTH, Western Australia — In the most comprehensive railway modernisation program undertaken in Western Australia, the State Government of Western Australia has achieved major operational milestones across the METRONET Armadale Line Upgrade and Byford Rail Extension. The multi-billion-dollar infrastructure undertaking has completely transformed the historic passenger corridor, delivering modern elevated stations, eliminating hazardous road-level crossings, and extending electrified passenger rail services 8 kilometres south to the rapidly growing community of Byford.

Supported by joint funding from the Australian Federal Government and the Cook State Government, the project has upgraded one of Perth’s oldest railway corridors into a modern transit artery, providing commuters in Byford with direct 46-minute rail connections to the Perth Central Business District (CBD).

Grade Separation and the Creation of 7-Kilometre 'Long Park'

A centerpiece of the engineering effort was the complete grade separation of railway tracks from vehicular roads, removing nine congested road- and pedestrian-level crossings along the corridor. Rail tracks were lifted onto soaring modern concrete viaduct structures, eliminating vehicle queuing and significantly enhancing local traffic flow and neighbourhood safety.

Beneath the elevated rail structures, landscape architects and civil contractors have created 'Long Park'—an expansive 7-kilometre linear urban parkland and community recreation corridor. The reclaimed land features continuous shared walking and cycling paths, custom playgrounds, youth skate parks, outdoor fitness zones, public barbecue facilities, and native tree plantings, reconnecting long-divided suburban neighbourhoods.

Architectural Excellence and Universal Accessibility at New Stations

The project includes custom-designed elevated stations at Armadale and upgraded precincts along the line, alongside the newly constructed ground-level terminal station in Byford. The Byford station features 400 commuter car parking bays, secure bicycle storage shelters, an integrated bus interchange facilitating seamless feeder connections, and full step-free accessibility with dual elevators and tactile wayfinding.

All stations along the modernised line are fitted with high-definition CCTV security coverage, emergency help points, energy-saving LED illumination, and public art commissions by local Noongar Indigenous artists celebrating the cultural heritage of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Universal $2.80 One-Zone Fare Cap Powers Sustainable Commuter Growth

Transit affordability across the revitalised corridor has been supercharged by Western Australia’s landmark public transport fare cap policy. Under the initiative, all Transperth journeys across the metropolitan area are capped at a single-zone fare of just $2.80 for SmartRider cardholders, regardless of travel distance.

State transport ministers and community representatives underscored that pairing state-of-the-art heavy rail infrastructure with world-leading fare affordability is driving record public transit uptake, slashing carbon emissions, and ensuring sustainable, liveable communities across Perth’s south-eastern growth corridor.