The first year of operation for the Morley to Ellenbrook line has proven to be a significant success, with a reported 3.2 million train rides taken since its launch on December 8, 2022. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced the milestone, highlighting that the line recorded its highest monthly patronage in October, with approximately 340,000 boardings. In contrast, the line saw just 198,000 boardings in its inaugural month.
By October, Ellenbrook Station emerged as one of the busiest on the network, averaging over 2,100 boardings each weekday. Saffioti expressed her pride in the project, stating that not delivering the line was never an option. “It was such a major issue for people in this area,” she noted. “For me, it’s about making sure I can stand tall in the community, knowing that I delivered our commitment.”
The Morley to Ellenbrook line has a complex political background, having been previously scrapped by the former Barnett Government, which led to a series of cost overruns totaling $550 million during the Labor Party’s efforts to revive the project. The opposition has frequently criticized the state government for its spending priorities, with shadow treasurer Sandra Brewer questioning the financial management of the Metronet project. “Where has the money gone? We know what happened; it has gone to Metronet blowouts,” she stated.
Despite the criticism, Saffioti defended the government’s record on infrastructure. “I challenge anyone to get a better value-for-money project across the nation,” she declared. The entire Metronet project, which includes 23 stations and 72 kilometers of rail, was delivered for $10.6 billion, a fraction of the cost of similar projects in other cities, such as the $15 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel.
The new rail line has transformed travel for residents of Ellenbrook, cutting the commute to Perth’s central business district from one hour by car to just 30 minutes by train. Saffioti shared a story of local students who now have improved access to educational opportunities due to the line. “One of the things they were telling me…was that the train line would now allow them to attend Perth Modern because of the connections,” she explained.
City of Swan councillor and Ellenbrook Community Collective secretary Cate McCullough noted that the line has opened up the suburb to the wider Perth area. McCullough, who is organizing the upcoming Christmas in ‘Elfenbrook’ festival, expects a significant turnout, with many attendees arriving by train.
The introduction of the rail line has also influenced the real estate market in Ellenbrook. According to the Real Estate Institute of WA, the median house price surged from $505,000 in 2023 to $730,000 this year, with a growth rate exceeding the Perth average by 4 percent over five years.
Looking ahead, the Ellenbrook line aims to significantly increase its weekday boardings, targeting 18,000 by 2031. To achieve this goal, the government plans to establish special planning precincts around the line’s stations, with government-backed built-to-rent apartment developments in the pipeline. Saffioti indicated that these projects would attract thousands of residents closer to the train stations.
Construction is set to begin on 100 apartments near Ballajura Station by mid-2026, while a 197-apartment complex near Ellenbrook is expected to commence within months. By 2030, the government hopes to have developed four apartment complexes around Ballajura Station. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that prioritizes higher-density housing near key transit points, although it has faced backlash from some local councils concerned about the loss of planning control.
Saffioti acknowledged the smoother planning process for the Ellenbrook line precincts, stating, “There aren’t a lot of people living in close proximity, so you don’t have the normal sort of community issues.” The successful launch and first-year performance of the Morley to Ellenbrook line signal a pivotal moment in public transport for the region, as it continues to reshape the dynamics of commuting and urban development in Perth.
