Northern Suburbs Transit System

The Northern Suburbs Transit System is the name given to the project initiated and funded by the Government of Western Australia to provide high-speed passenger rail services to the northern corridor of metropolitan Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The project was commenced by the Dowding Labor government in the late 1980s, and its main feature project was the Joondalup railway line and linked bus services, which have been a core component of the Transperth transport network since the line's opening to passengers on 21 March 1993.

The need for the project arose from the rapid and sustained growth of the northern suburbs of Perth during the 1970s and 1980s, which had placed a considerable strain on infrastructure, including the bus system and the Mitchell Freeway. However, prior to the opening of the railway, the proposal was controversial as many in the community believed that upgrading the Mitchell Freeway or providing a guided busway would be better solutions.

The Northern Suburbs Transit System name has been used subsequently for additions to the original line, including the Currambine to Butler extension which was built as far as Clarkson in 2004, and extended to Butler in 2014.

The transport needs of Perth's northern corridor were evaluated as far back as 1982, with the preparation of the report Transport 2000 – A Perth Study by the then Office of the Director General of Transport. The report looked at Perth’s transport needs into the 21st century and beyond, at a broad strategic level. It provided some strategic travel forecasts, and made a limited evaluation of rapid transit options for the northern corridor.

By the late 1980s, the Mitchell Freeway, along with major arterial routes servicing the northern corridor, were constantly clogged during peak hour, with the community at large dissatisfied with the bus services provided for the region.

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