WA government to consider return of Perth to Albany passenger rail service

Community and advocates call for feasibility study as state buys back freight network

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

The Western Australian government has indicated it will consider reintroducing a passenger rail service between Perth and Albany following its plan to repurchase the state's freight rail network. The service, scrapped in 1978, would reconnect communities in the Great Southern region, with local leaders citing benefits for tourism, health access and workforce attraction.

The state government's buyback of the freight network has opened the door for a passenger train on the Great Southern Railway, a 450-kilometre line built in the 1900s that passes through towns including Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Tambellup and Mount Barker.

Rail advocacy group Countrynet Rail Alliance said the buyback presented an opportunity to revive services. "It's cheaper to do it now than it will be in 10 or 20 years," spokesperson Simon Lyas said. "It warrants a particularly special investigation and feasibility study to find out what the costs would be and what the benefits would be."

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said public control of the network would allow for consideration of new passenger opportunities, but noted that passenger rail requires significant investment in both capital and operational costs to be viable against road transport.

Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, who recalled travelling on the original line as a 16-year-old, said the community had long hoped for the service's return. "There are a lot of people in Albany who would like to see the return of that service," he said. He added that the line would benefit tourism and the wider regional economy.

Katanning Shire President Kristy D'Aprile said a passenger service would help residents access health and education services in either Albany or Perth. "Having a regular passenger rail network will enhance accessibility for our employees and our workforce," she said.

Curtin University professor Peter Newman said regional rail had worked well in other states. "Trains are very popular ... they work, and that's now on the agenda in country towns," he said.

The City of Albany and other regional shires have expressed support for the proposal, though Mr Stocks said the city was also seeking funding for housing, health, roads and education.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Reconnecting regional communities with vital health and education services.
Potential to boost tourism and support local economies along the route.
Could serve as a model for reviving regional passenger rail in other parts of Australia.

Background

The Great Southern Railway, built in the early 1900s, runs 450 kilometres from Perth to Albany through half a dozen towns. The passenger service was discontinued in 1978 and there have been several unsuccessful attempts to revive it. The current push comes as the WA government prioritises returning the freight rail network to public control.

Key Perspectives

Countrynet Rail Alliance spokesperson Simon Lyas: Called for an economic feasibility study, arguing it would be cheaper to act now than in future decades.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti's spokesperson: Confirmed in-principle support but stressed the need for significant capital and operational investment.
Albany Mayor Greg Stocks: Said the community strongly supports the return, seeing unique tourism opportunities and benefits for the Great Southern economy.
Katanning Shire President Kristy D'Aprile: Highlighted the line as a lifeline for residents unable to access social services locally, and as a way to attract workers to agricultural industries.
Curtin University professor Peter Newman: Noted that regional rail services are popular and effective in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and could help country towns in Western Australia.

What to Watch

The progress of the state government's freight rail buyback and whether a formal feasibility study is commissioned.
Potential funding commitments from the state and federal governments.
Community consultation processes and any timeline for a new service.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedWA government to consider the return of a Perth–Albany passenger rail service.Just In: “WA government to consider return of Perth to Albany passenger rail service.”
SupportedThe government has indicated it will consider reintroducing the service following its plan to repurchase the freight network.Just In: ““Public control of the network will allow for the consideration of new passenger rail opportunities,” a spokesperson for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.”
Partly supportedThe state is buying back the freight network.Just In: “The WA government's plan to buy back the state's freight rail network has opened the door for a passenger train from Perth to Albany to also be introduced.”
SupportedThe service was scrapped in 1978.Just In: “There have been several attempts to bring back the passenger line since it was scrapped in 1978, but none has been successful.”
Partly supportedLyas said, “It warrants a particularly special investigation and feasibility study to find out what the costs would be and what the benefits would be.”Just In: ““It’s cheaper to do it now than it will be in 10 or 20 years, and I think that’s why it warrants a particularly special investigation and feasibility study to find out what the costs would be and what the benefits would be.””
Partly supportedD’Aprile said, “Having a regular passenger rail network will enhance accessibility for our employees and our workforce.”Just In: ““So having a reliable, regular passenger rail network will enhance accessibility for our employees and our workforce,” she said.”
Partly supportedD’Aprile said residents could access health and education services in Albany or Perth.Just In: ““Having a passenger rail service will allow our community access to those services that are likely going to be based in either Albany or in Perth.””
Partly supportedStocks said the line would benefit tourism and the wider regional economy.Just In: “Mr Stock said the line would benefit businesses in the city that catered to tourists but also support the wider economy of the Great Southern region.”
SupportedThe Great Southern Railway is 450 kilometres long and was built in the 1900s.Just In: “The Great Southern Railway, built in the 1900s, stretches 450 kilometres from Perth to the city of Albany”
SupportedThe line passes through Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Tambellup and Mount Barker.Just In: “passes through half a dozen towns including Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Tambellup and Mount Barker.”
SupportedStocks said, “There are a lot of people in Albany who would like to see the return of that service.”Just In: ““We certainly support it … there are a lot of people in Albany who would like to see the return of that service,” he said.”
SupportedNewman said, “Trains are very popular ... they work, and that's now on the agenda in country towns.”Just In: ““Trains are very popular … they work, and that’s now on the agenda in country towns,” he said.”