WA Public Transport Surge: Linked to Rising Petrol Prices?

Perth Public Transport Surge Linked to Rising Fuel Costs, But Data Remains Inconclusive

Perth is experiencing a notable increase in public transport usage, coinciding with a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook reported a 15 percent increase in bus, train and ferry boardings for March so far, as unleaded fuel prices have soared by 82.3 cents a litre. However, officials caution that a direct causal link between the two trends remains unproven.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti offered a more conservative estimate, stating a 10 percent increase in public transport patronage. Speaking on Friday, March 21, 2026, she noted that comparing current figures to the same period last year shows a 10 percent growth. “We looked at one week in March, a couple weeks back compared to last year, and we’ve already seen about a 10 per cent growth in this year,” she said. The average price of unleaded petrol in the Perth metro area reached $2.41 per litre on Friday, with diesel costing $2.86.

The increase in ridership isn’t solely attributable to fuel costs, according to the WA government. Premier Cook highlighted the impact of capped fares, particularly the “Go Anywhere” fare which allows travel between Yanchep and Mandurah for $2.80, as a contributing factor, especially for commuters from outer suburbs. Free travel for children on school buses, where tagging on isn’t required, may be inflating the reported numbers.

The situation is further complicated by recent expansions to Perth’s public transport network through the Metronet project. The opening of new rail lines, such as the Thornlie-Cockburn line, naturally increases overall patronage, making direct comparisons to previous years less straightforward. The exact ridership figures for these new lines are not currently publicly available.

While official data from Main Roads, which tracks traffic volumes on major Perth roads, hasn’t yet reflected a significant shift away from private vehicles, the agency only releases figures on an annual basis. Current data shows little fluctuation in traffic volume on the Narrows Bridge, averaging just over 200,000 cars per weekday. Bicycle path usage also remains relatively stable.

Anecdotal evidence from commuters at Rockingham station, approximately 50 kilometers south of Perth, suggests a noticeable increase in crowding. Several commuters reported parking in overflow sections and observing fuller trains. One commuter told the ABC, “Trains are fuller… it must be everyone’s like, ‘I’m going to jump on the train because it’s too expensive to drive.’” Another commuter, who recently started taking the train to a new city job, explicitly cited fuel prices as the deciding factor, stating it was “much more cost effective than paying for the fuel to get there.”

The rising cost of fuel is a broader national trend. According to reports, gas prices are rising as oil hits $111 a barrel, and Washington state is experiencing particularly high prices, currently the second highest in the nation at $5.06 per gallon. The war in Iran and the threat to oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz are identified as the primary drivers of these increases. Washington drivers are paying nearly $1.21 more per gallon than the national average of $3.85.

Premier Cook acknowledged that fuel prices are expected to continue climbing and stated his government would monitor the situation. “Western Australia is not immune to the escalation in crude oil prices,” he said. “People can do what we can within the confines of Western Australia to make sure that people get fuel.”

Looking ahead, the interplay between fuel prices, public transport usage, and the ongoing Metronet expansion will be key to watch. The lack of granular, real-time data on traffic volumes and new line ridership makes it difficult to definitively assess the impact of rising fuel costs. Continued monitoring of both official statistics and anecdotal reports will be crucial to understanding the evolving transportation patterns in Perth.