AvonLink
{{Short description|Passenger train between Midland and Northam, Western Australia}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox rail service
|box_width =
|name = AvonLink
|logo =
|logo_width =
|image = Avonlink Bellevue.jpg
|image_size =
|caption = AvonLink railcars going under the Great Eastern Highway bridge in Swan View in October 2009
|type = Passenger train
|status = Operational
|locale = Western Australia
|predecessor =
|first = 24 September 1995
|last =
|successor =
|operator = Transwa
|formeroperator = Westrail (1995-2000)
WAGR Commission (2000-2003)
|ridership = 7,057 (year to June 2022)
|start = Midland
|stops =
|end = Northam
|distance = 97 kilometres
|journeytime = 1 hour 20 minutes
|frequency = Daily (weekdays only)
|trainnumber =
|line_used = Eastern
|class =
|access =
|seating =
|catering =
|entertainment =
|baggage =
|otherfacilities =
|stock = WEA/WEB railcar
|gauge = {{Track gauge|1435 mm|allk=on}}
|speed =
|owners =
|routenumber =
|map = {{maplink
|frame=yes
|plain=yes
|frame-align=center
|frame-width=222
|frame-height=137
|zoom=7
|type=line
|stroke-colour=#DA291C
|stroke-width=4
|title=AvonLink
}}
}}
The AvonLink is a rural passenger train service in Western Australia operated by Transwa between Midland and Northam.
History
The consideration of revitalising passenger services in 1993 saw the Avonlink Ministerial Committee formed by Minister for Transport Eric Charlton.page 7{{cite book|last1=Whiteford|first1=David|title=A History of the AvonLink Train Service|date=2015|publisher=Shire of Toodyay|location=Toodyay, WA|isbn=9780646944258}}
The first AvonLink service departed Northam for East Perth on 24 September 1995, and was significant, as it was the first new country passenger rail service in Western Australia for 47 years.{{dubious|date=November 2018|Prospector was introduced in 1971, Albany Progress, Bunbury Belle, Midlander and Mullewa in the 1960s}}{{MayGray-WAGRPassCar |pages=341}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015124819/http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?tabid=92 AvonLink and MerredinLink] Transwa From July 2001, the Perth terminus moved from East Perth to Midland where a connection is made with Transperth Midland line services.Here & There Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 765 July 2001 page 272
In June 2004, the AvonLink was extended to Merredin on three days a week, operating as the MerredinLink.[https://web.archive.org/web/20171002104605/https://www.avonadvocate.com.au/story/4037666/easy-to-train-for-avon-descent/ Easy to train for Avon Descent] Avon Advocate 18 July 2016 In September 2006, Transwa trialed a day trip Sunday service to Northam.[https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/09/Spring-into-the-Avon-Valley-by-rail.aspx Spring into the Avon Valley by rail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100132/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/09/Spring-into-the-Avon-Valley-by-rail.aspx |date=29 November 2018 }} Minister for Transport 4 September 2006 The six-week trial proved popular with each service being fully booked out weeks in advance. However, due to overall lack of passengers at other times the service was discontinued.
In August 2013, Transwa announced the AvonLink would cease on 30 December 2013 due to poor patronage and be replaced by a road coach.{{cite news|last=Ducey|first=Liam|title=Transwa cancels AvonLink train service|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/transwa-cancels-avonlink-train-service-20130820-2s8h6.html|access-date=3 December 2013|newspaper=WA Today|date=20 August 2013|archive-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207014030/http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/transwa-cancels-avonlink-train-service-20130820-2s8h6.html|url-status=live}} However, this announcement generated significant criticism. On 19 November 2013, two Wheatbelt region MLAs, Mia Davies and Shane Love, presented petitions to the WA State Parliament calling for the retention of the AvonLink. The petitions bore a total of more than 3,000 signatures of Avon Valley residents.{{cite news|title=Keep AvonLink: residents petition Parliament|url=http://www.centraladvocate.com.au/story/1919295/keep-avonlink-residents-petition-parliament/|access-date=3 December 2013|newspaper=Central Midlands & Coastal Advocate|date=20 November 2013|archive-date=7 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207005503/http://www.centraladvocate.com.au/story/1919295/keep-avonlink-residents-petition-parliament/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Predovnik |first=Rashelle |title=Petitioning to keep the AvonLink |url=http://www.echonewspaper.com.au/newsDetail-cid-1037.htm |access-date=3 December 2013 |newspaper=Echo News |date=21 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202102052/http://echonewspaper.com.au/newsDetail-cid-1037.htm |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}{{cite news|last1=Strutt|first1=Jessica|last2=Bembridge|first2=Courtney|title=The State Government has backflipped on its decision to scrap the AvonLink train service|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/gov-backflips-on-avonlink-scrapping/5132638|access-date=3 December 2013|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=3 December 2013|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517164102/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/gov-backflips-on-avonlink-scrapping/5132638|url-status=live}}
On 3 December 2013, Minister for Transport Troy Buswell announced the AvonLink service would be retained, initially for a period of six months, while Transwa and the Wheatbelt Development Commission worked through the funding solution required to keep the service running beyond that initial period.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Katie|title=AvonLink train service will stay open until mid-2014 after community outrage|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/avonlink-train-service-will-stay-open-until-mid2014-after-community-outrage/story-fnhocxo3-1226774524104|access-date=4 December 2013|newspaper=Perth Now|date=3 December 2013|archive-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205001133/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/avonlink-train-service-will-stay-open-until-mid2014-after-community-outrage/story-fnhocxo3-1226774524104|url-status=live}}
In May 2014, it was announced that an enhanced service would continue until at least June 2017.[http://www.toodyay.wa.gov.au/news/Details.aspx?NewsID=30 AvonLink Trial Receives Go Ahead] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520221318/http://www.toodyay.wa.gov.au/news/Details.aspx?NewsID=30 |date=20 May 2014 }} Shire of Toodyay 8 May 2014[http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Rail-link-back-on-track/7660210/ Rail link back on track] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220509/http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Rail-link-back-on-track/7660210/ |date=20 May 2014 }} Avon Valley Gazette 20 May 2014
In December 2014, an enhanced service was introduced with services increased from one to three trains on certain days.[https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2014/12/New-AvonLink-services-start-today.aspx New AvonLink services start today] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129054436/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2014/12/New-AvonLink-services-start-today.aspx |date=29 November 2018 }} Minister for Transport 1 December 2014 From July 2017, the AvonLink was reduced back to one service in each direction on weekdays only.[https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2017/06/AvonLink-train-service-to-be-saved.aspx AvonLink train service to be saved] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129054413/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2017/06/AvonLink-train-service-to-be-saved.aspx |date=29 November 2018 }} Minister for Transport 1 June 2017
Services
As at June 2022, one Avonlink service operates on weekdays in each direction between Midland and Northam stopping at Toodyay.[https://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/tickets-times/train-timetables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615081400/https://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/tickets-times/train-timetables |date=15 June 2022 }} Transwa 17 June 2022
Rolling stock
The service commenced with WCA/WCE railcars built in 1971 to operate The Prospector."Westrail Commences Avonlink Service" Railway Digest December 1995 page 22"Future prospects for the Prospector" Railway Digest October 1997 pages 18-19
In December 2000 Westrail awarded a contract to United Goninan, Broadmeadow for 9 WDA/WDB/WDC railcars to replace the 1971 built stock. 3 WDA/WDB and 1 WDC were for The Prospector and 2 WEA/WEB were for the AvonLink and MerredinLink services.[https://archive.today/20140507104606/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/pages/StatementDetails.aspx?listName=StatementsCourt&StatId=2983 New 'world-class' Goldfields and Avon trains move closer] Government of Western Australia 7 December 2000"WA Short Lines" Railway Digest February 2001 The new train entered service on 1 August 2005.
Ridership
The AvonLink had 7,057 passengers in the year leading up to June 2022.{{cite web |title=Public Transport Authority Annual Report 2021-22 |url=https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2022/PTA%20Annual%20Report%202021-22%20Digital%20Version.pdf |website=Public Transport Authority |access-date=8 January 2023 |page=21 |date=2022 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218182424/https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2022/PTA%20Annual%20Report%202021-22%20Digital%20Version.pdf |url-status=live }}
See also
References
=Notes=
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline|Transwa Avonlink}}
{{Public Transport Authority of Western Australia railway stations|AvonLink=y}}
Category:Named passenger trains of Western Australia
Category:Railway services introduced in 1995