MerredinLink
The MerredinLink is a rural passenger train service in Western Australia operated by Transwa between East Perth and Merredin.
.JPG) A MerredinLink train at East Perth in January 2015 | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train | ||||
| Status | Operational | ||||
| Locale | Western Australia | ||||
| First service | June 2004 | ||||
| Current operator | Transwa | ||||
| Ridership | 8,127 (year to June 2025) | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | East Perth Merredin | ||||
| Distance travelled | 261 kilometres | ||||
| Average journey time | 3 hours 15 minutes | ||||
| Service frequency | 3 per week | ||||
| Lines used | Eastern Eastern Goldfields | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | WEA/WEB railcar | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||
| |||||
The MerredinLink is a rural passenger train service in Western Australia operated by Transwa between East Perth and Merredin.
History
[edit]The MerredinLink was introduced in June 2004 when the AvonLink from East Perth was extended from Northam to Merredin on three days a week.[1][2]
In August 2013, Transwa announced that the MerredinLink would cease with The Prospector to make additional stops.[3][4] However in December 2013 the service was given a reprieve.[5][6]
In May 2014, it was announced that the service would continue until at least June 2017.[7] To release rolling stock for an enhanced AvonLink service, in December 2014 the MerredinLink was reduced to a Wednesdays only service.[8] From July 2017 it resumed operating three times a week.[9] As at June 2022, it operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.[10]
Rolling stock
[edit]The MerredinLink is operated by a two-carriage WEA/WEB railcar.[11]
Ridership
[edit]The MerredinLink had 8,127 passengers in the year leading up to June 2025.
| Year | Patronage |
|---|---|
| 2009-10 | 7,417 |
| 2010-11 | 6,677 |
| 2011-12 | 6,980 |
| 2012-13 | 6,992 |
| 2013-14 | 7,149 |
| 2014-15 | 4,656 |
| 2015-16 | 3,023 |
| 2016-17 | 2,697 |
| 2017-18 | 6,028 |
| 2018-19 | 6,958 |
| 2019-20 | 5,902 |
| 2020-21 | 6,351 |
| 2021-22 | 6,039 |
| 2022-23 | 7,009 |
| 2023-24 | 7,696 |
| 2024-25 | 8,127 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ AvonLink and MerredinLink Transwa
- ^ Easy to train for Avon Descent Avon Advocate 18 July 2016
- ^ AvonLink and MerredinLink Service Changes Transwa
- ^ Transwa cancels AvonLink train service Archived 7 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine WA Today 20 August 2013
- ^ The State Government has backflipped on its decision to scrap the AvonLink train service Archived 17 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 3 December 2013
- ^ AvonLink train service will stay open until mid-2014 after community outrage Archived 5 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Perth Now 3 December 2013
- ^ AvonLink Trial Receives Go Ahead Shire of Toodyay 8 May 2014
- ^ New AvonLink services start today Archived 29 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Transport 1 December 2014
- ^ AvonLink train service to be saved Archived 29 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Transport 1 June 2017
- ^ "AvonLink and MerredinLink Timetable". Transwa. Public Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ Our fleet Archived 29 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Public Transport Authority
- ^ "Regional (Transwa)". www.pta.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ Public Transport Authority Annual Report 2016-17 (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 2017. p.28.
- ^ Public Transport Authority Annual Report 2019-20 (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 2020. p.20.
- ^ Public Transport Authority Annual Report 2022-23 (PDF). Public Transport Authority. 2022. p.25.
- ^ "Annual Report 2024-2025". www.pta.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Transwa Avonlink at Wikimedia Commons