Western Australia Opens Landmark $1.1 Billion METRONET Ellenbrook Rail Line Connecting Northeast Corridors to Perth CBD

Delivering 21 Kilometres of Rapid Transit for Perth's Expanding Northeast Suburbs

PERTH, Western Australia — In a historic achievement for public mass transit, regional urban planning, and suburban connectivity, the Western Australian Government and METRONET have officially opened the landmark $1.1 billion Ellenbrook Rail Line (Morley-Ellenbrook Line) for continuous passenger operations. Spanning 21 kilometres of newly constructed dual-track electric rail guideway, the transformative line extends northeast from the major transit interchange at Bayswater Station through the heart of the Swan Valley to the booming community of Ellenbrook, delivering rapid passenger rail to one of Australia’s fastest-growing residential corridors.

Jointly funded on a 50:50 basis by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the Western Australian State Government, the project represents the largest single public transport expansion delivered under the METRONET infrastructure program. Constructed by the MELconnx Consortium (led by Laing O'Rourke), the new line slashes commute times between Ellenbrook and the Perth Central Business District (CBD) to approximately 30 minutes, halving travel times compared to previous bus-and-car commutes along the heavily congested Tonkin Highway.

Five Architecturally Striking Stations and Multimodal Interchanges

The 21-kilometre alignment introduces five brand-new, universally accessible passenger stations designed to celebrate local cultural heritage and environmental sustainability: Morley, Noranda, Ballajura (formerly Malaga), Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook.

Each station features sweeping architectural canopies engineered with natural ventilation, high-efficiency LED illumination, public art installations co-designed with local Whadjuk Noongar artists, and redundant dual elevators ensuring full step-free accessibility. To encourage smooth multimodal transit, the stations incorporate more than 3,300 park-and-ride commuter parking bays, dedicated kiss-and-ride drop-off zones, secure bicycle shelters, and modern bus transfer interchanges that synchronize regional bus feeder routes with high-frequency train timetables.

Smooth Network Integration via Rebuilt Bayswater Station and C-Series Fleet

The Ellenbrook Line seamlessly branches off from the recently transformed four-platform Bayswater Station junction, enabling smooth operations alongside Transperth's existing Midland Line and the Forrestfield-Airport Line. Passengers benefit from high-capacity six-car electric train services operating at 12-minute frequencies during peak commuting hours.

Services along the corridor utilize Western Australia’s next-generation C-series electric multiple unit (EMU) railcars, manufactured locally at the Bellevue Railcar Facility by Alstom. Capable of carrying up to 1,200 passengers per six-car trainset, the C-series trains feature wider automated doorways, USB charging ports, digital infotainment screens, and energy-efficient regenerative braking systems. Commuters enjoy frictionless ticketing via Transperth's SmartRider contactless card system, backed by the state's affordable two-zone fare cap and free public transit on Sundays.

Catalyst for Economic Development, Affordable Housing, and Decarbonization

State ministers, regional mayors, and community leaders hailed the opening as a watershed moment for equitable suburban growth. During peak construction, the project supported over 6,500 local jobs, providing extensive training apprenticeships and subcontracting opportunities to local Western Australian civil and engineering firms.

The new rail line unlocks thousands of hectares of transit-oriented development (TOD) land surrounding station hubs, facilitating the development of walkable, mixed-use town centers, affordable multi-family housing, and commercial precincts. By diverting an estimated 18,000 daily passenger trips away from private automobiles, the electrified Ellenbrook Line significantly reduces carbon emissions and air pollution, providing Perth with a durable, sustainable transport backbone for the 21st century.