The ''AvonLink'' is a rural passenger train service in Western Australia operated by Transwa between
Midland
Midland may refer to:
Places Australia
* Midland, Western Australia
Canada
* Midland, Albert County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Kings County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Midland, Ontario
India
* Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagal ...
The consideration of revitalising passenger services in 1993 saw the ''Avonlink Ministerial Committee'' formed by Minister for Transport Eric Charlton.
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.AvonLink and MerredinLink Transwa From July 2001, the Perth terminus moved from East Perth to
Midland
Midland may refer to:
Places Australia
* Midland, Western Australia
Canada
* Midland, Albert County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Kings County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Midland, Ontario
India
* Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagal ...
where a connection is made with TransperthMidland line services.
In June 2004, the ''AvonLink'' was extended to Merredin on three days a week, operating as the '' MerredinLink''. In September 2006, Transwa trialed a day trip Sunday service to Northam. 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. However, this announcement generated significant criticism. On 19 November 2013, two Wheatbelt regionMLAs, Mia Davies and
Shane Love
Ronald Shane Love (born 30 August 1961) is an Australian politician. He is the member for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Western Australian Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament ...
, 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.
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
The Wheatbelt is one of nine regions of Western Australia defined as administrative areas for the state's regional development, and a vernacular term for the area converted to agriculture during colonisation. It partially surrounds the P ...
worked through the funding solution required to keep the service running beyond that initial period.
In May 2014, it was announced that an enhanced service would continue until at least June 2017.
In December 2014, an enhanced service was introduced with services increased from one to three trains on certain days. From July 2017, the ''AvonLink'' was reduced back to one service in each direction on weekdays only.
Services
As at June 2022, one ''Avonlink'' service operates on weekdays in each direction between
Midland
Midland may refer to:
Places Australia
* Midland, Western Australia
Canada
* Midland, Albert County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Kings County, New Brunswick
* Midland, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Midland, Ontario
India
* Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagal ...
United Goninan
UGL Rail is an Australian rail company specialising in building, maintaining and refurbishing diesel locomotives, diesel and electric multiple units and freight wagons. It is a subsidiary of UGL Limited and is based in Melbourne, with a staff of ...
,
Broadmeadow
Broadmeadow is the geographic center of Newcastle city. Its main commercial hub is located at the "Nineways".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."WA Short Lines" ''Railway Digest'' February 2001 The new train entered service on 1 August 2005.
