Metropolitan Transport Trust
| Company type | Statutory authority |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transport |
| Founded | January 15, 1958 |
| Defunct | June 30, 2003 |
| Fate | Dissolved; functions taken over by Public Transport Authority |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Perth metropolitan region |
| Products | Bus, ferry, and suburban rail services |
Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust
The Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust functioned as a statutory body under the Government of Western Australia from 1958 until 2003. It operated bus and ferry services throughout the Perth metropolitan region up to the mid-1990s and oversaw suburban rail services between 1974 and 1993, with operational duties contracted to Westrail.
Formed on 15 January 1958 as the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT), its primary objective was to merge financially troubled private bus operators into a cohesive public transportation network. Over a period of four years, the MTT acquired these private companies along with government-run ferry services. During the 1970s, it introduced Perth’s inaugural bus stations, including Morley (currently known as Galleria bus station) in August 1972 and Wellington Street bus station in March 1973.
In March 1974, management of Perth’s suburban rail system was transferred from the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) to the MTT, which subcontracted operations back to WAGR—this was the first instance where all public transit in Perth was governed by a single entity. On 31 August 1986, the MTT adopted the Transperth brand to consolidate buses, ferries, and trains under one identity. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, existing train lines underwent electrification and the Joondalup line was developed.
The process of privatisation commenced in 1993 when responsibility for system management shifted to the Department of Transport, which also assumed control of the Transperth brand for contracted service providers. On 14 February 1995, MTT rebranded itself as MetroBus. That same year, ferry services were handed over to Captain Cook Cruises. MetroBus entered competitive tendering for contracts and won several, including those for Joondalup North, Armadale South, and Perth CAT routes during 1995–96, while other contracts were awarded to private operators. Subsequently, the government resolved to withdraw from direct service operation by putting remaining contracts out to tender. MetroBus discontinued bus operations on 4 July 1998 and was formally dissolved on 30 June 2003 when the Public Transport Authority was established.
Acquisitions
Following World War II, investment in bus services by private operators in Perth diminished significantly, resulting in aging fleets. The rise in private vehicle ownership after 1950 further reduced bus usage. These challenges faced by private operators led to increased advocacy for a coordinated public transport system.
In 1957, legislation known as the Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust Act was enacted by the Parliament of Western Australia, creating the Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust (MTT), which began operations on 15 January 1958 under the trading name Metropolitan Transport Trust. The MTT’s mandate was to provide and oversee efficient passenger transport services.
Operations officially commenced on 31 August 1958 with acquisitions including Metro Buses and Beam Transport initially, followed shortly by Carlisle Bus Service, Kalamunda Bus Service, United Buses, and Emu Buses by early 1959. Subsequent negotiations led to acquiring WA Government Tramways and Ferries, Fremantle Municipal Transport Board, Riverton Bus Service, and Coogee-Spearwood Bus Company during the following year. Concession fares were introduced for pensioners and ex-service members. Due to a diverse fleet comprising 26 different engine types that caused high maintenance expenses, MTT implemented fleet standardisation policies.
Additional acquisitions included North Beach Bus Company in October 1961 and Scarborough Bus Service in April 1962. In June 1964, MTT took over the Perth to Wanneroo route from Metro Tours. The introduction of bus-ferry transfer tickets between 1964 and 1965 boosted ferry ridership on routes connecting Barrack Street Jetty with Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Gradually replacing trolleybuses with diesel buses culminated with Perth operating its last trolleybus on 30 August 1969—making it Australia's final city to run trolleybuses.
The initial bus stations appeared in Perth during 1972–73: Morley opened in August 1972 and Wellington Street bus station followed in March 1973. These facilities supported a suburban ring plan featuring feeder buses linking outer areas with mainline routes into the Perth central business district (CBD), complemented by express peak-hour services. Additional stations were introduced at Karrinyup (September 1974), Rockingham (November 1974), Kwinana (1975–76), Booragoon (September 1976), Innaloo (January 1977), and Mirrabooka (September 1979).
In September 1973, MTT launched City Clipper routes—free shuttle buses operating within Perth’s CBD that later evolved into what is now known as the Perth Central Area Transit (CAT) network.
Suburban trains
Between 1973 and 1974, modifications to the MTT Act and the West Australian Government Railways Act shifted the responsibility for suburban train operations from Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR, later known as Westrail) to the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT). While WAGR maintained ownership of the infrastructure and rolling stock, it operated the services on behalf of the MTT, which took charge of service planning. This transition, initiated at Westrail’s request to concentrate on freight operations, was implemented in March 1974, with the MTT assuming financial accountability by July that year.
In August 1974, a unified fare system was introduced to streamline transfers between buses and trains, lowering travel expenses particularly for long-distance passengers. This system also allowed free return trips within a two-hour window, marking the first instance of a common fare system in Australia. By May 1975, the MTT became the pioneer among Australian public transport providers by prohibiting smoking on all bus services.
The Fremantle line ceased operations on 1 September 1979, replaced by bus services; that year saw the addition of 74 new buses, including eighteen articulated units. Significant infrastructure enhancements included redeveloping Kelmscott railway station with an integrated bus interchange in 1980, relocating Rockingham bus station in 1981, and inaugurating Warwick and Kalamunda bus stations in 1982. During 1981–82, fare zones were adjusted alongside the rollout of the MultiRider ticketing system. The Fremantle line resumed service on 29 July 1983.
On 31 August 1986, the MTT adopted the Transperth brand, unveiling a fresh logo and new liveries applied across trains, buses, and ferries. The government launched the Northern Suburbs Rapid Transit Study in November 1987, which recommended constructing a railway within the Mitchell Freeway median—later realized as the Northern Suburbs Transit System. Approval for electrifying the Armadale, Fremantle, and Midland lines was granted in February 1988, with construction commencing between 1988 and 1989.
Construction began on what is now Elizabeth Quay bus station (originally Perth City Busport) in July 1988. This project included a busway along the Kwinana Freeway median connecting the busport to Canning Bridge railway station, which opened in November 1989.
The Free Transit Zone within Perth’s central business district was introduced in September 1989. That same month marked the opening of McIver railway station and redevelopment of Cannington railway station into a combined bus-train interchange. Construction of the Northern Suburbs Transit System started in November 1989. On 28 July 1991, North Fremantle railway station was rebuilt and reopened while Leighton railway station closed. Electrification was activated for the Armadale line in August 1990 and for both Fremantle and Midland lines by July 1991. Following these upgrades, ridership surpassed expectations. The deployment of Transperth A-series electric multiple units coincided with these advancements. The Perth City Busport officially opened in November 1991; simultaneously, the Kwinana Freeway busway was extended to reach Mount Henry Bridge.
A new fare structure came into effect in July 1992. The Northern Suburbs Transit System was fully operational as the Joondalup line by March 1993, with northern suburbs bus routes reorganized to serve as feeder services. In June 1994, Morley bus station (currently known as Galleria bus station) commenced operations.
Privatisation
In September 1993, the government endorsed the initiative titled A More Responsive and Integrated Public Transport Service for Perth, which restructured the planning and operational framework of Transperth. This strategy entailed outsourcing bus, train, and ferry services via competitive tendering, with the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT) corporatized to vie for these contracts. Responsibility for Transperth's management was transferred to the Department of Transport, which also assumed control of telephone and passenger information services starting 1 July 1994. The Transperth brand was consolidated under the Department’s oversight, while MTT adopted the trading identity MetroBus on 14 February 1995.
Suburban rail services reverted to Westrail’s administration in December 1994, and ferry operations were handed over to Captain Cook Cruises in February 1995. The bus network was segmented into 15 contract zones, with nine areas put out to tender during 1995–96. In July 1995, MetroBus secured contracts for Joondalup North and Armadale South, formalizing five-year agreements by November. Although MetroBus did not succeed in obtaining the Midland contract—which was awarded to Swan Transit—it did win the operation of Perth CAT services in May 1996, commencing service in August and replacing the former City Clipper routes. By September 1996, private operators had been granted contracts for other regions such as Rockingham and Wanneroo. Between 1993 and 1995–96, Transperth achieved a reduction of roughly 21% in cost per vehicle kilometre.
In June 1996, MetroBus sold its bus fleet to the Department of Transport and subsequently leased vehicles as required. On 5 October 1997, the government declared that MetroBus would exit all contract areas by July 1998, with remaining routes tendered to private operators. Contracts for Joondalup North, Armadale South, and Kalamunda were transitioned by January 1998; Morley, Claremont/Belmont, Fremantle, Cockburn, and CAT services followed by July 1998, marking the conclusion of MetroBus’s role as a Transperth bus operator.
Following July 1998, MetroBus concentrated on disposing of assets and retraining staff to support workforce redeployment. The repeal of the MTT Act through the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 resulted in MetroBus being dissolved on 30 June 2003, with its duties transferred to the Public Transport Authority. Remaining financial resources were allocated to the Department of Treasury while outstanding liabilities were assigned to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
Board
Initially, the MTT board consisted of four members: a chairman, a member, a part-time member, and a secretary. This expanded to five members in March 1974 when MTT assumed suburban train operations by adding a representative from WAGR. Board members are appointed by the governor of Western Australia upon nomination from the transport minister for terms up to five years. Distinguished board members have included Peter Newman (1988–1993), Diana Warnock (1988–1991), and Reece Waldock.
Bus fleet
| Financial yearTemplate:Br(ending 30 June) | Number of buses |
|---|---|
| 1958–59 | 211 |
| 1959–60 | 211 |
| 1960–61 | 472 |
| 1961–62 | 561 |
| 1962–63 | 579 |
| 1963–64 | 573 |
| 1964–65 | 590 |
| 1965–66 | 626 |
| 1966–67 | 652 |
| 1967–68 | 681 |
| 1968–69 | 688 |
| 1969–70 | 688 |
| 1970–71 | 729 |
| 1971–72 | 756 |
| 1972–73 | 785 |
| 1973–74 | 776 |
| 1974–75 | 788 |
| 1975–76 | 814 |
| 1976–77 | 822 |
| 1977–78 | 832 |
| 1978–79 | 851 |
| 1979–80 | 883 |
| 1980–81 | 886 |
| 1981–82 | 899 |
| 1982–83 | 904 |
| 1986–87 | 912 |
| 1987–88 | 899 |
| 1988–89 | 898 |
| 1989–90 | 906 |
| 1990–91 | 917 |
| 1991–92 | 923 |
| 1992–93 | 901 |
| 1993–94 | 851 |
| 1994–95 | 851 |
| 1995–96 | 812 |
| 1996–97 | 460 |
| 1997–98 | 375 |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Ferry companies of Western Australia
- Intermodal transport authorities in Australia
- Australian companies established in 1958
- Australian companies disestablished in 2003
- Transperth bus operators
- Passenger rail transport in Perth, Western Australia
- Ferry transport in Perth, Western Australia