Transport | Greens WA

Western Australia should have a diverse, reliable and environmentally sustainable transportation network that meets the needs of commuters and freight, and moves away from the heavy reliance on individual motor vehicles.

Current transport planning, funding and infrastructure is biased in favour of private vehicle transport and road freight, which has led to poor economic, environmental and social outcomes.

Aims

The Greens (WA) want:

an efficient transport system which is environmentally sustainable and promotes resilient communities with a high level of transport choice and quality of life
better integration of road, rail and sea freight, and a shift in the freight balance from road to rail and shipping where possible
a greater role for public transport, including a metropolitan public transport network that provides a safe, regular and convenient service
road transport development that prioritises emissions reduction, electrification and safety
a greater role for active transport such as cycling and walking
efficient, affordable and accessible regional alternatives including public transport, active transport and air services, with a rail network prioritised over road freight transport.
efficient rural and agricultural transport networks to secure transport in the food supply chain (see also The Greens (WA) Agriculture policy)
commitment to preserving and investing in our freight grain rail network over road freight transport

Measures

The Greens (WA) will initiate and support legislation and actions to:

Planning

integrated transport planning and investment programs that support a shift to low-emission modes for passengers and freight
have urban and regional planning that reduces the need for long distance transport for freight and for workers, in favour of local economic development
introduce structural reforms to address the imbalance in power, funding and decision-making between Main Roads WA and other transport related agencies with planning decisions being made by the Department of Transport
require better community and stakeholder participation in land use and transport planning
re-introduce a state shipping service to all deep water coastal ports as a road transport reduction measure

Public Transport

prioritise and adequately fund the expansion and improvement of the public transport system, including a rapid increase in mid-tier transport options
bring implementation of the Public Transport Plan forward so that an integrated network of light rail and bus rapid transit services is completed by 2030 at the latest
increase rapid transit infrastructure and public transport services where the current network is most deficient
transform the CBD-centric public transport system into a network that better connects Strategic Metropolitan Centres with improved east-west connectivity
prioritise Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at rail stations, bus interchanges and transport hubs, taking care to ensure better design and affordability of housing and commercial development at TODs
ensure that the State Government retains control over basic rail infrastructure and the overall management of the public transport network
rapidly transition the Transperth and regional bus fleets to non-fossil fuel driven vehicles and investigate the electrification of rail locomotives. All new TransPerth vehicles should be electric.
urgently revise the Metropolitan Region Scheme in conjunction with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage with the view to rationalising road reserves and urban freeways and bring forward a scheme that prioritises public transport and sustainable urban development
make all state-owned public transport services free for users, including intrastate regional services.
encourage use of public transport by implementing frequent and comprehensive mid-tier public transport services that feed into heavy rail transport stations, while ensuring limited parking is available for priority use passengers, such as disabled people or parents with young children.
bring bus services back into public sector operations, ensuring the benefits and entitlements of workers are retained.

Road Transport

continue the development of and access to charging infrastructure to stimulate the rapidly expanded uptake of Electric Vehicles into the Western Australian transport system.
adopt targets to shift our entire transport system from fossil fuels to electrification, which can be powered by renewables (see also The Greens (WA) Energy policy)
investigate options for improving the fuel-efficiency of the trucking fleet, or the replacement / retrofitting of the current diesel trucking fleet with electric drive vehicles
introduce stricter noise and pollution standards for rail and truck fleets operating, in and around ports and intermodal terminals
develop a long-term transport plan that aims to reduce vehicle emissions for a cleaner and safer environment
tie stamp-duty relief and licence fees to fuel efficiency for all vehicles
replace existing charges for commercial and freight vehicles with mass and distance charges
specify that induced demand¹ be considered in any road project, and that WA must move towards better systems of road and traffic engineering
highlight the importance of effective driver training, particularly on regional roads, including defensive driving, and understanding of driver capacity to reduce vehicle related accidents and fatalities.
significantly reduce driver assessment fees, as fees in Western Australia are one of the highest in the country
require that the Department of Transport and Main Roads WA metrics focus on the effective, sustainable movement of people and freight rather than vehicles.

Active Transport

foster local strategic urban redevelopment initiatives to bring workplaces, commercial centres and public transport within walking and cycling range of residences
fund active infrastructure and programs at twenty per cent of the State Transport Budget to meet the target to double the mode share (adopted by all governments in the National Cycling Strategy)
maintain 'Safe Passing Distance' legislation and increase road safety education on protecting vulnerable road users, including additional focus on driver-cyclist interactions as part of training and testing to obtain a driver's licence
implement the Greens Bike Vision 2029, providing new education programs and infrastructure that provide safe routes to every school in Perth; and that safely connects people to train stations, shopping centres and employment hubs by bike
specify a better integration of cycling into transit hubs around stations, allowing ease of access by bicycle within a 15 minute ride
investigate providing dedicated space on train carriages for bikes and ensure that bicycles can be carried on trains at all times of the day and alongside Local Governments, develop and fund behaviour change programs that promote cycling, walking and public transport
in conjunction with Local Governments, complete the Perth Bicycle Network as a priority

Regional Transport

Support and increase air services to supply regional residents with affordable and accessible alternatives to road travel, particularly necessary for accessing metro-centred health services
increase regional public transport to service travel within and between regional communities
review regional travel needs with a view to initiating or increasing regional public transport options where communities lack accessible alternatives
prioritise freight rail investments and intermodal facilities to increase freight volumes on rail relative to road transport, including the re-establishment of rail systems to cart grain from country silos to ports
plan and build appropriate Bicycle Networks for all significant regional communities

(See also the Australian Greens Planning and Transport policy)

Glossary

Induced Demand is when a product is used more as it has been built for that purpose. In the context of transport, building larger and wider roads induces more demand for its use.

Transport policy ratified by The Greens (WA) in 2024