Getting around Perth by public transport

Most of us can think of a time we were sitting in traffic, stressed out and frustrated. The good news is you can save time, money, improve your health and help reduce emissions while taking a break from driving by catching the bus, train or ferry instead.

Public transport is a great way to get around Perth for work, for sporting events, concerts, to check out a festival or for a spot of shopping. You’ll get more exercise along the way and have more time to read, relax, chat with a friend or catch up on the latest on social media.

This five step guide is designed to show you that with a little preparation using public transport is easy and it can actually enhance your journey.

Step 1 - Plan ahead and enjoy the ride

With a little preparation using public transport is easy. There are many excellent journey planners and apps that you can use to see how to get where you need to go by bus, train or ferry. Read below for a small snapshot of the most popular ones in WA, or click here to find more handy transport apps.

Transperth Journey Planner

To plan your journey or for the latest timetables, go to transperth.wa.gov.au. Just enter your start and finish address or landmark and you’re off!

While you're there check out the Transperth 'Stops Near You' page for an interactive map of Transperth services in your area.

Transperth App

For the most accurate information try Transperth’s free app for iOS and Android. The free Transperth App shows the latest bus, train and ferry information within the Perth metro area.

With the app you can:
• Find the next services from any stop, station or jetty near you
• Plan your journey, view it on a map and see where your bus, train or ferry is in real-time
• Save your favourite journeys for quick access to timetable information
• View fare and service disruption information
• Get your SmartRider balance and register for SmartParker or a bike shelter

Download the Transperth app here.

Google or Apple Maps

If you prefer using Google or Apple Maps on your smartphone, tablet or computer, you can see a list of the public transport services available for your chosen journey.

1. Search for your destination, choose a starting point if prompted, then click ‘Directions’.
2. Click the ‘Public Transport’ icon (called ‘Transit’ in Google) and you’ll see a list of the public
transport services available.
3. Select a public transport service and you’ll get a map and a detailed breakdown of how to get to your destination by bus, train or ferry.

Step 2 - Getting to the train station

Most of us can think of a time we were sitting in traffic, frustrated and stressed out. The good news is you can save time, money and take a break from the aggravation of driving by catching the bus or train instead.

We’ve found many people come from homes less than 2kms away, a distance that is easily travelled as a relaxing ten-minute bike ride or a 20 minute walk. An earlier start, a connecting bus, walking, or riding your bike to the station are all great ways to avoid parking hassles, save money and find time to be active.

Bikes and public transport

Bikes are welcome on-board trains, but for everyone's comfort there are some restrictions during peak periods. The exceptions are the three city stations during morning and afternoon peak times, inbound trains during the morning peak, and outbound trains during the afternoon peak.

For more information visit this Transperth webpage.

Image of a secure bike shelter at a Transperth train station

Bike parking

There is secure bike parking at many train stations on the Transperth network and most others have U-Rails that you can secure your bike to. Transperth recommends using a D-Lock to secure your bike regardless of where you park it. To access a bike shelter, you’ll need to register your SmartRider for the shelter on the Transperth app or on the website. Once you’ve registered and arrived at the station, you can access the shelter by swiping your card to get in and out. It’s that simple!

For more information on registering for bike shelters, step 5 below, or visit the Transperth website.

Catch the bus for free

Transperth bus services connect most suburbs in Perth to the nearest train station. If you catch the bus in the same zone as your station, you’ll pay no extra. Just use the same ticket or use a SmartRider and it will automatically work out the cheapest fare for you.

Visit the ‘Transperth Fares’ page on the Transperth website for more information.

Step 3 - Paying for public transport

Transperth has two types of ticketing: SmartRider and cash tickets.

Cash tickets

If you buy a cash ticket, it will have an expiry time printed on it which depends on the number of zones covered by your ticket. A valid ticket allows you to travel on any combination of bus, train and ferry services.

For more details visit the Transperth website - ‘Tickets & Fares’.

SmartRider

You can buy a SmartRider card from any Transperth InfoCentre or SmartRider retail sales outlet. Using a SmartRider will ensure you pay the lowest possible fare for your trip. All you need do is remember to tag on and off every bus service and at train stations and ferry jetties. You can even get a 20% discount if you register it and set up ‘Autoload’ – a direct debit from your bank account or credit card. A SmartRider costs $10 to purchase, and requires you to load an initial value of at least $10.

Check out the full list of places you can buy your SmartRider.

Tag on and tag off

All you need do is tag your SmartRider on and off on every bus service and at train stations and ferry jetties. Using a SmartRider is 10% cheaper than a cash ticket, plus you can even get a 20% discount if you register it and set up Autoload – a direct debit from your bank account or credit card.

See step 5 below, or visit the Transperth website - 'Types of Fares' for more information.

Step 4 - Get on board and relax

All set to go? Most people find it’s better to arrive at their bus stop or train station a few minutes before the scheduled departure time to avoid any last-minute rush. You may even discover you can take a later bus after you’ve tried it a few times, or that it’s better to get off at an earlier stop and walk the rest of the way.

Make sure you signal the bus driver before boarding, then sit back, relax and spend your time reading, planning your day, catching up on news or simply enjoying the ride.

For more information, visit transperth.wa.gov.au or call the infoline on 13 62 13

Step 5 - Sign up for 'My Account'

Now that you've got your new SmartRider and you've tried a few public transport trips, it's time to take it to the next level. Go to the Transperth website and click 'Sign up' in the top right corner. Having a Transperth My Account login will help you get organised and stay informed. You can register to receive Travel Alerts about your regular services, register your SmartRider so you can check your balance and trip history and register your SmartRider for SmartParker or a bike shelter. This also means if you lose your card you don’t lose the cash value on it, instead it can be transferred to your new card.

Register your SmartRider

Make sure you register your SmartRider and set up Autoload through your newly created My Account. Autoload is a type of direct debit so that your SmartRider balance will automatically be topped up when it gets low, as well as giving you a 20% discount on the full fare. It also means you never need to worry about topping up your balance. Just tag on and off you go!

You can also register your SmartRider for SmartParker through My Account. This means all you need to do is simply press the green button, then tap your SmartRider at the SmartParker machines in the carpark to pay $2 for your all day parking.

If you'd rather save money on parking, get some exercise and ride your bike instead, you can also register through My Account for the secure bike parking shelters at selected train stations.

Top tips for catching public transport

Perth free transit zone

Transperth CAT bus services in the central area are free. The Free Transit Zone logo on bus stops identifies the boundaries of the zone, and if you start and finish within the zone, you can ride the bus without buying a ticket.

QR codes on bus stops

Have you noticed those funny little black and white squares on the side of the orange bus stop poles and green bus information panels? Scan one of these with your phone camera and it takes you to a Transperth webpage with the next 5 bus services coming to your specified location. It's that easy.

Free SMS service

Did you know Transperth offers a free SMS service to send you the next train, bus or ferry services near your specified location? Just SMS the five-digit stop number to 13 62 13. For Trains, SMS the stop number or the first three letters of the train line (e.g. FRE), followed by the first three letters of the station (e.g. SUB).

FamilyRider ticket

Transperth also offers a special FamilyRider for unlimited travel for up to seven people during evenings, weekends, public holidays, and after 8:30am on school holidays.
Click here to find out more information about fares.

Buses can drop you off closer after hours

Did you know, buses will stop anywhere on the route to drop off passengers after 7.00 pm. Just ask your friendly bus driver to let you out when it's convenient.

Need any more information? Check out Transperth’s website, or call the Transperth Infoline on 13 62 13.

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