Public Transport
Perth’s integrated, resourceful metropolitan public transport
system is called Transperth:
Telephone: 136 213
Facsimile: (08) 9320 9545
Email address: enquiries@transperth.wa.gov.au
Website address: www.transperth.wa.gov.au
Buses, ferries and trains
display the Transperth colours and passengers can transfer between
services on one ticket. Timetable and ticket information is obtainable
at the Transperth InfoCentres at Plaza Arcade, Wellington Street
bus station, Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station.
Bus services operate daily from 6.00 am to 11.30
pm. Central Area Transit (CAT) buses are free and operate on 3
different routes around the City and Northbridge.
Transperth trains run from Perth Railway Station
to Currambine in the north, Armadale in the south, Midland in
the east and Fremantle in the west (weekdays from 5.30 am to 12.00
am). During summer trains run until 3.00 am on Fridays and Saturdays,
and in winter until 2.00 am.
Ferries operate between Perth at Barrack Street
jetty across the Swan River to Mends Street jetty in South Perth.
Services are between 7.00 am and 7.15 pm (until 9.30 pm on Friday
and Saturday).
The fare structure for all forms of transport
is based on 8 zones, a 2 zone ride costs A $2.90. Tickets can
be purchased from the driver or coin operated machines at train
stations and ferry terminals.
Prepaid and cheaper FastCards,
including A $7.30 DayRider and MultiRider tickets, A $24.65 for
a book of 10 2 zone tickets, are available for purchase in advance
from newsagents and InfoCentres.
Taxis
Reasonably priced, meter operated
taxis gather at transport terminals, hotels and taxi ranks, and
can also be hailed in the street. Booking by phone is possible
with Black & White Taxis (telephone: (08) 9333 3333) or Swan
Taxis (telephone: 131 330).
Black & White Taxis charge an initial A $2.90
hire fee, from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm weekdays, or A $4.20 all other
times, as well as a further A $1.17 per kilometre. Tipping is
generally not required unless the service is exceptional, although
rounding up to the nearest Dollar is always pleasing.
Limousines
Central Park Limousines (telephone: (08) 9409
3660) and Executive Limousine Company (telephone: (08) 9448 5135)
both provide a limousine service. Hire starts at approximately
A $100 per hour.
Driving in the City
Traffic moves relatively quickly
in central Perth except during very wet conditions (the rainy
season is May to August), when a combination of caution and accidents
slows down the traffic significantly.
A traditional bottleneck, the aptly named Narrows Bridge, linking
South Perth to the city, was doubled in size in mid 2000 and no
longer causes a problem. The new tunnel under Northbridge, on
the Graham Farmer freeway, also has considerably reduced traffic
through the city.
Parking stations are marked by the CPP symbol and are
situated in Pier Street, Hay Street, Murray Street and Mounts
Bay Road, with parking available at a cost of approximately A
$4 per hour.
Available at staffed car parks, the Perth Parkcard (telephone:
(08) 9461 3236) is an alternative to change as a means of payment
at outdoor parking stations.
Car Rental
All major car rental companies have offices in Perth, including:
Avis
Address: 46 Hill Street
Telephone: (08) 9325 7677
Website address: www.avis.com
Hertz
Address: 39 Milligan Street
Telephone: (08) 9321 7777
Website address: www.hertz.com
The minimum age for hiring a car is generally 21 years. A credit
card is necessary, as is an International Driving Permit (in English).
Rates start from A $61 per day and insurance is not included in
the price of hire, this costs an extra A $83.
Bicycle Hire and Scooter Hire
Perth has many cycle routes that are amusing to navigate. Bicycle
helmets should be worn at all times. Providers include:
About Bike Hire
Address: Carpark, Riverside Drive
Telephone: (08) 9221 2665
Canning Bridge Cycles
Address: 886 Canning Highway, Applecross
Telephone: (08) 9364 1733
Boat Torque 2000
Address: Barrack Street, Pier Four
Telephone: (08) 9221 5844
Hire is approximately A $20 a day |
