Midland train line closed between Bassendean and Midland day after new station opens

Peak-hour rail commuters were left scrambling after a technical issue closed the Midland Line between Bassendean and Midland on Monday.

The line went down at 7.45am and was up and running again by 9am, with replacement buses needed between Bassendean and Midland.

A Public Transport Authority spokesperson said that a network control issue caused the shutdown — just a day after the line opened and work finished on the new Metronet Midland Station.

The Opposition said the line’s closure was a major embarrassment for Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, who joined Premier Roger Cook in officially opening the new Midland station on Sunday.

“I do hope they’ve got all their ribbons and bunting packed away from the big ceremony,” shadow transport minister Steve Martin said.

“They have form in this regard, if you think about the Bussell Highway. They rushed that opening through through for election purposes.”

There is no suggestion that the Midland station opening was rushed but Mr Martin said it’s a “very unfortunate” coincidence.

State Government Minister Reece Whitby apologised for the inconvenience to travellers, but said people in the area were still celebrating the reopening despite the hiccup.

“This was related around an operational issue involving the Prospector Train, it had nothing to do with the new station or the wonderful new infrastructure we’ve got out at Midland and there was a 45 minute inconvenience to passengers,” he said.

“I just want to apologise for the inconvenience that that caused, but this is a minor incident that seen the delivery of fantastic infrastructure.”

Midland Guildford ward councillor Ian Johnson was impacted by the shutdown.

“The new Midland Train Station did not get off to a good start this morning,” he posted on Facebook.

“Due to a technical issue trains are not running between Midland and Bassendean.

“Everyone had to leave the station to catch train replacement buses.”

Mr Johnson added that there seemed to be about 100 people left waiting for a replacement bus.

Another commuter caught in the chaos described the issue as “very disappointing”.

A third said: “As of 7.45am this morning trains are CANCELLED due to technical issues!

“Half an hour later and we’re all still waiting for the rail replacement bus! Boo! SO disappointed.”

Plenty of others were also left baffled by “teething issues” of the Midland Line, with the finished works officially marking the end of the line for the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program.

A 2017 election pledge by Labor, Metronet has delivered 23 brand new stations, expanded the network with 72km of additional track and seen 15 level crossings removed.

According to the Government, Metronet is the single largest investment into public transport that Perth has ever seen.

However, it has been plagued with exorbitant budget blowouts and delays.

The Northern line extension from Butler to Yanchep was initially expected to cost $386m but by the time it opened in mid-2024, the price tag had surged to $1.37 billion.

There were large cost increases as well for the Morley-Ellenbrook rail line and Thornlie-Cockburn Link projects delivered as part of Metronet.

The final estimated cost to taxpayers for the program of works is more than $12.5 billion.