The Perth Central Area Transit (Perth CAT) system, or simply CAT, consists of five bus routes in the centre of Perth and three bus routes in Joondalup.[1] CAT services formerly operated in Fremantle, and similar services exist in Rockingham (the City Centre Transit System) and Midland (the Midland Gate Shuttle). Unlike all other Transperth services, most CAT routes are free.
Perth CAT
On 23 September 1996, MetroBus commenced operating two CAT routes: the Red CAT and the Blue CAT, replacing the City Clipper services that had operated since September 1973.[2][3] The Yellow CAT was commenced in 2002 and the Green CAT route began on 30 June 2013.[4] The Purple CAT commenced on 27 February 2022.[5] These CAT services are operated by Transdev WA.[6]
Initially Perth CAT buses stopped at every stop, but with the introduction of the Purple CAT service passengers are now required to hail incoming buses and press the bell if they wish to alight.[5]
The Central Area Transit (CAT) routes in the centre of Perth shown in their scheme colours.
The Red CAT runs between West Perth and East Perth as bus route number 2.[1] During peak times a shorter Red CAT travels between the Forrest Place stop opposite Perth railway station and the West Perth stop as bus route number 4 to meet high demand for travel between these. In addition, the West Perth Loop of the Red CAT travels from Perth Underground to Raine Square.
The CAT routes in Joondalup shown in their scheme colours.
The Joondalup CAT started operating on 9 January 2006. It is currently operated by Swan Transit since 20 January 2020.[9][10][11][12] It runs Monday to Friday around the Joondalup central business district as bus routes 10 (anticlockwise) and 11 (clockwise).
On Mondays to Thursdays, Joondalup CAT also runs around the Joondalup Campus of Edith Cowan University as route 13, but only on the university's operating days.[13][14]
Retired services
Fremantle CAT
A Fremantle CAT service operated in Fremantle between August 2000 and October 2023. Originating in 1997 as the Fremantle Clipper, it only operated on weekdays and public holidays with a 15 minute frequency. The original route alignment spanned between Beach Street and Parry Street on the north and south parts of the Fremantle CBD respectively. The contract to run the service was awarded to Path Transit, which was part of the Australian Transit Enterprises (now Keolis Downer) ownership, using their own (not PTA purchased) low-entry, Volgren CR221L-bodied, Dennis Dart SLF. It was then subsequently awarded to Southern Coast Transit (now Transdev WA).
The service was reintroduced in August 2000 as the incumbent Fremantle CAT and upgraded to run seven days a week with a frequency of 8 to 10 minutes, using short wheelbase Volgren CR225L-bodied Mercedes-Benz O405NH's sporting dedicated orange livery and fleet numbers 1178, 1179 and 1180.
The route alignment was amended at the same time and expanded to South Street, then further south to Douro Road in February 2002. The final extension to the Maritime Museum took place in December 2003. In May 2011, the original figure-8 alignment was split into 2 different colour-coded variations. Initially referred simply as the North Loop and South Loop during public consultation, it later became the Red CAT and Blue CAT respectively. October 2017 saw the Mercedes-Benz O405NHs withdrawn from the service and redeployed on regular Transperth routes until 2020; they were replaced with the Volgren CR228L-bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LEs that were previously used on the Perth CATs. They sported fleet numbers 114 (ex-CAT8), 115 (ex-CAT9) and 116 (ex-CAT10) and also their own dedicated livery.
Following a funding reduction by the City of Fremantle as a result from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red CAT service ceased operations on 15 August 2020. The Blue CAT frequency was also reduced to every 20 minute until October 2023, when the Fremantle CAT ceased operating after the City of Fremantle declined to continue co-funding the free service in May 2023. To compensate, the existing 532 bus route now operates more short trips along South Terrace, terminating at Hampton Rd after Culver St.[15] The Blue CAT, and the Fremantle CAT as a whole, have been withdrawn.
Similar services
Rockingham City Centre Transit System
The Rockingham City Centre Shuttle started operation on 23 December 2007. It is the only CAT service that charges a fare. It travels between Rockingham railway station and Rockingham Centre. It runs as bus route 555.[16]
Midland Gate Shuttle
The Midland Gate Shuttle started operation on 5 July 2009. It runs as route 300 and does not operate on Sundays and Public holidays. It travels in an anti-clockwise circle from Midland station around Midland Gate Shopping Centre and then back to Midland station.[17]
^ abBuswell, Troy (30 June 2013). "Green CAT starts tomorrow". Minister for Transport (Media Release). Western Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
^"Bus Timetable 205 (Joondalup CAT)"(PDF). Transperth. Perth: Public Transport Authority, Government of Western Australia. 10 February 2019. Archived(PDF) from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
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