Westrail
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|
| Public Authority overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 19 September 1975 |
| Preceding Public Authority | |
| Dissolved | 17 December 2000 |
| Superseding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Western Australia |
| Headquarters | Perth |
| Key document | |
Westrail was the trading name of the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from September 1975 until December 2000, when the WAGR's freight division and the Westrail name and logo were privatised.
The WAGR had its origins in 1879, when the Department of Works & Railways was established. In 1890, the Department was abolished and replaced by the WAGR and the Department of Works & Buildings (later the Public Works Department).
In September 1975, the WAGR adopted the trading name Westrail and an associated logo. However, the official name of the WAGR was not changed.
The new name was the main element of a complete program to improve the WAGR's public image. Every visible feature of the organisation was to be associated with the new Westrail identity. The transition from WAGR to Westrail quickly began, with the new name rapidly and almost universally replacing the old one in the vocabulary of staff and the public.
Strong impetus to acceptance of the new corporate identity was given by the completion of a new Westrail office headquarters and passenger facility at East Perth Terminal (then known as Perth Terminal). The new building, named the Westrail Centre, was opened by the Premier of Western Australia, Sir Charles Court, on 12 November 1976.
Westrail was responsible for managing the state's rail infrastructure. It operated urban and regional passenger and freight services throughout Western Australia. In Perth, Westrail provided the metropolitan area rail service, under contract to another arm of the State government. Its country passenger services involved the operation of both trains and road coaches.
In October 1987, it was announced by Premier Brian Burke and Federal Minister for Land Transport & Infrastructure Support, Peter Duncan, that a merger of Westrail with Australian National was being investigated. Nothing ever came of it.
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