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The State Government announced a free travel entitlement on 17 September as part of the Armadale/Thornlie Line Shutdown. As a result, we'll provide six months of free travel to eligible, regular Armadale/Thornlie Line passengers. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you will need to be: 

  • A current SmartRider user;
  • And have travelled at least once a week for 13 weeks (does not have to be consecutive) in the six months prior to 17 September 2023 using a train service at an affected station (i.e. stations between Armadale/Thornlie to Carlisle).

Those eligible will automatically have a free travel token applied to their SmartRider for free travel between 20 November 2023 and 31 May 2024 so there is no need to apply or register for the entitlement. Please ensure you have used your SmartRider to tag on and off between 20 November and 01 December to ensure the free travel is applied to your card correctly. If you are unable to tag on during this time, please call 13 62 13 one day prior to travelling to have you free travel token re-applied.

Given the number of eligible passengers it is anticipated that the rollout of the token will take up to two weeks, however, this will occur before 20 November so that passengers receive at least six months of free travel. Therefore, some passengers may notice that their free travel period begins before the 20 November. It will not be removed before 31 May 2024. You still need to tag on and off services during the free travel period but you will not be charged a fare. 

The free token also applies to Transperth car parks so you can park in any Transperth car park for free. You still need to tag on to the SmartParker machine and ensure the car you are driving is registered to your account and is active. Failure to do this may result in a fine. 

To find out if you are eligible, enter your SmartRider number (located on the top right hand side of your card) below:

SR

Year 7 Students

Students starting Year 7 in 2024 who have not already met the eligibility criteria but will be travelling from an affected station (i.e. stations between Armadale/Thornlie and Carlisle) to get to school will be eligible for free travel from the start of the school year until 31 May 2024.

Depending on where you go to school, you may be provided with the free travel pass directly from your school or you may need to apply at one of our InfoCentres. More information will be available for schools and students in January 2024. The free travel pass issued is in addition to your usual Student SmartRider, so please apply for your Student SmartRider as per the normal process.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions of Use

Use of the Armadale/Thornlie Line Shutdown Free Travel Entitlement is subject to the following terms and conditions:

  1. That the free travel entitlement applied to your SmartRider is issued subject to the conditions of the Public Transport Authority Act and Public Transport Authority Regulations 2003.
  2. The SmartRider card with the free entitlement token applied may only be used by the customer to whom it is issued..
  3. You consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your information in accordance with Public Transport Authority’s Privacy Statement which can be found at www.transperth.wa.gov.au/privacy
  4. The free travel entitlement is not transferable or refundable.
  5. The free travel and parking entitlement is valid for the period 20 November 2023 to 31 May 2024 or when the Public Transport Authority applies/removes the token, whichever period is greater.
  6. If you lose or damage your SmartRider with the free travel entitlement you will be required to pay for parking and fares while you apply and wait for a replacement SmartRider. The free travel entitlement can only be transferred to a new SmartRider if the original SmartRider is registered. For passengers with a Concession SmartRider, please contact 13 62 13 for assistance on requesting a replacement card. The Public Transport Authority is not liable for any expenses incurred as a result of you losing your free travel entitlement in this instance, nor will it refund any fares or parking fees as a result.
  7. To access free parking in Transperth car parks you are required to register your vehicle details via My Account and set the vehicle to ‘active’.  Failure to register your vehicle or tag on using SmartParker may result in a fine and the Public Transport Authority will not refund any fines as a result of a failure to register your vehicle.

FAQs

I pay with cash, will I be eligible for the free travel?

If you pay a cash fare you will not be eligible for the free travel.

The free travel scheme has been designed around the SmartRider as it enables us to validate claims of frequent travel and provides a mechanism to implement the scheme via a free token. 

I am a regular bus user, will I be eligible for free travel?

We understand regular bus users may feel that they are impacted by the shutdown, but eligibility for the scheme is for train patrons impacted. 

During the shutdown, a significant amount of capacity has been added to the bus network, including seven new routes, five enhanced routes, and a number of additional trips to other services. 

I take the train between Victoria Park and Perth stations, will I be eligible for free travel?

Train services will still operate between Victoria Park and Perth stations with an increased frequency of approximately 7.5 minutes during the day and 15 minutes during the evening. 

Eligibility for the scheme is for train patrons impacted between Armadale/Thornlie and Carlisle stations. 

 

Will I still need to tag on and off with my SmartRider?

Yes, you will need to continue to tag on and off with your SmartRider. 

The free travel scheme has been designed around the SmartRider. It will enable us implement the scheme via a free token, you will not be charged when you tag on and off. 

I am eligible for the free travel entitlement, but my free token has not been applied to my SmartRider. Who do I contact?

If you have checked your entitlement and the free travel token has not been applied by 20 November, please contact the Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13.

Where can I find out more information about the shutdown?

Visit the Armadale and Thornlie Line Shutdown page for more information.

We also encourage passengers to sign up for My Alerts through My Account on the website or app. To plan your journey, visit the JourneyPlanner or call the InfoLine 13 62 13.

For project updates register on the METRONET website.

Is parking included in my free travel entitlement?

Yes, parking is included in Transperth car parks as part of the free travel entitlement however you must tag on at the SmartParker machine.

To use SmartParker you will need to register your vehicle details via My Account and set the vehicle to ‘active’.  Failure to register your vehicle or tag on using SmartParker may result in a fine and the Public Transport Authority will not refund any fines as a result of a failure to register your vehicle.

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