Roger Cook and WA Labor to deliver METRONET on Swan

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will kickstart a new era of city transport, with a ferry service expansion to unlock the potential of Perth’s iconic Swan River.
  • Re-elected Cook Labor Government to expand Swan River ferry services
  • Two new ferry stops to be built at Applecross and UWA
  • Ferry fleet to be expanded with five new locally manufactured electric ferries
  • Investment to activate the riverfront, slash commute times and create jobs

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will kickstart a new era of city transport, with a ferry service expansion to unlock the potential of Perth’s iconic Swan River.

WA Labor’s ferry expansion will begin with new stops at Applecross and The University of Western Australia, linking to Perth’s existing ferry stops at Elizabeth Quay and South Perth.

A journey between Applecross and UWA will be around 10 minutes – saving more than half an hour on the current public transport commute for university students – and a further 10 minutes to the city. Services will operate every 20 minutes.

Five new electric ferries – the first of their kind in WA – will be locally manufactured to support the expansion, boosting manufacturing jobs and building capacity within the Western Australian ship building industry.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $107 million across the forward estimates to build and operate the new ferries and related infrastructure, with work on the new ferries to begin in 2025-26. Services will commence by the end of 2027.

Further expansions to the network will be considered in future years, including new stops at the Causeway Bridge precinct, Burswood Park, Optus Stadium and Claisebrook Cove.

The ferry expansion builds on WA Labor’s strong track record in connecting communities and creating jobs through METRONET.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“METRONET has transformed communities across our suburbs, and now we’re bringing METRONET to the Swan River."

“The river is one of our city’s greatest assets, and under WA Labor, we’ll unlock the full potential of the Swan."

“Imagine a ten-minute ferry ride from the Raffles to UWA – it’ll be a game-changer for the suburbs along the river and provide a new way for tourists to travel to the beautiful Matilda Bay area, supporting small businesses and the local economy."

“Just like our new METRONET trains, these electric ferries will be built right here in WA, supporting local manufacturing and helping our State become a shipbuilding hub.”

Artist impressions:

Applecross ferry stop

New locally manufactured electric ferries

UWA ferry stop

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