Cancelled Australind train services causes angst

A loyal user of the Australind train service, who uses the train so much she had the Cookernup station formally named after her, has spoken out about how its suspension has left her feeling “upset and lost”. Cookernup resident Shannon Winduss catches the Australind up to three times a week. However, Miss Winduss will now be unable to use the train until the new year after it was taken off the tracks to have new axle boxes installed and for repairs needed after a collision with a car. Miss Winduss said she would now have to go to Pinjarra to catch a bus to Mandurah in order to board the Mandurah train to Perth. Liberal candidate for Murray-Wellington Michelle Boylan criticised Labor over its “failed” service that was disadvantaging vulnerable people in the regions. Mrs Boylan labelled the train’s breakdown “unacceptable” and said people in the region were getting “forgotten”. “The WA Labor Government knows the train is past its operational life yet have failed to come up with a scheduled maintenance plan knowing new trains were once again delayed and not expected until at least 2023,” she said. “Coming into the holiday period, it’s unacceptable that locals won’t be able to jump on the train to travel to family and loved ones. “Those who rely on the service for medical appointments, particularly people with disabilities or who are less mobile have been let down by WA Labor because the buses are not as accessible and toilet-friendly. Mrs Boylan said Labor in 2006 voted in favour of scrapping the twice-daily service for one service and a replacement bus. Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke said she was “disappointed” that the Australind was out of service for repairs but safety was the number one priority. She said two buses would replace the service at a 75 per cent discount and affected passengers would receive 10 free trips, free newspapers and refreshments. “We are working to partner with cafes in Harvey, Pinjarra and Waroona so morning passengers departing from these locations can enjoy a complimentary coffee,” Mrs Clarke said. Mrs Clarke said the train service was introduced in 1987 with a 30-year working life, meaning “the train should have been replaced before 2017, under the Barnett-Liberal Government”. “Michelle Boylan and the Liberal Party need to explain to our community why — despite knowing the train would reach its end working life during — not one cent was allocated to replace the Australind,” she said. A new train design was released earlier this year and is expected to be completed by 2023. “Let me be clear — if the Liberal Party are committing to deliver a train before 2023, they will be committing to importing an overseas-built train,” Mrs Clarke said.