Freo CAT route to be replaced by enhanced bus services

Following the withdrawal of funding by the City of Fremantle for the Fremantle CAT bus service this year, the State Government announced today it will fund enhanced bus services in the area.

The 532 bus route, which follows the same route as the Blue CAT service between Fremantle Station and Douro Road in South Fremantle, will run every 15 minutes in both directions – more frequently than the existing circular CAT service, which runs every 20 minutes.

After over 20 years of services under a cost-share arrangement between the City of Fremantle and the Public Transport Authority (PTA), the discontinuation of the free Fremantle CAT bus was confirmed in May. The service is scheduled to cease on September 30, with the higher frequency 532 service introduced from October 2023.

At the time of the City of Fremantle withdrawing funding, a PTA spokesperson confirmed that the authority would be unlikely to take on the remainder of the funding for the service, instead reallocating the funds towards existing services like the 532.

“I understand the disappointment around the City of Fremantle’s decision to discontinue funding for the CAT, but the State Government will be reinvesting its contribution towards supporting enhanced bus services in the Fremantle area,” explained Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

“My focus has been to ensure that the State Government stepped in to continue to support transport options for our local community,” added Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk.

“I understand the CAT was much loved, however with this solution we have more frequent buses on the same route, which maintains an important connection between Fremantle and South Fremantle – a good outcome for residents and visitors alike”.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of community groups like the South Fremantle Precinct in ensuring that Fremantle has the public transport services it deserves.”

Cover image: City of Fremantle