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Free night buses linking Perth’s entertainment precincts will be considered as part of a major review into Perth’s CAT bus service.
A key focus of the review will be to gauge demand for new or expanded routes.
It could include a night-time “Black” CAT that links residential developments, hotels and entertainment areas in East Perth and West Perth with the CBD’s main entertainment districts.
A new pbadenger counting system will also be installed on all Perth CATs by March to inform the review into whether there is a case to extend or amend the existing network
Perth’s CAT bus service began in September 1996, replacing the City Clipper service that had been running since 1973.
A Yellow CAT service that included East Perth joined the Red and Blue service in 2002 and the Green Cat that included Leederville began in June 2013.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the review would be the first since the introduction of the Green CAT service and would seek input from the public, commuters and key stakeholders such as the City of Perth.
“The review will use a number of methods to seek feedback, including an online community survey and three community consultation sessions,” she said.
“Transperth is also collaborating with the Department of Transport, which is procuring new origin-destination information.
“This data can be used to see where and when people in the central business district want to travel, so the State Government can investigate how best to get them there.”
The CAT bus service is funded by a State Government levy on CBD parking spots.
The levy applies to all CBD premises with more than five car spaces and money raised must be spent on the city transport system.
But The West Australian revealed in June that almost $100 million raised from the levy would be left unspent over the next year.
Suspended Perth lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi has argued that the levy has created unreasonably high parking prices.
She has also advocated the expansion of the CAT service to Vincent and Subiaco.
Perth MP John Carey said the CAT bus service was considered to be one of Perth’s best badets.
“I would urge all interested parties to take part in the consultation process to help us make the best of these fantastic services,” he said.
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