Train services on the Armadale Line will return from Monday, October 13th, reconnecting Perth’s south-east to the city after an 18-month pause that’s seen the line undergo its biggest transformation yet — including the addition of a brand-new Byford extension, upgraded stations, and revitalised community spaces.
Armadale Line opening date confirmed
It’s the question commuters across the south-east have been asking since trains stopped running: when will the Armadale Line be back? The answer is now official — passengers can board again from Monday, October 13th, marking a major step forward for METRONET’s network overhaul. To mark the occasion, a community celebration is planned for Sunday, October 12th, with more details on the event to come.
For those who’ve spent months juggling bus replacements or battling traffic, the return of train services can’t come soon enough. Federal Minister Catherine King commented, “This is a crucial transport link for Perth’s fast-growing south and will provide easy connections to buses and trains on the city’s broader public transport network.”
What commuters can expect from the Byford Rail Extension
The centrepiece of the upgrade is the Byford Rail Extension, bringing a brand-new station to one of Perth’s fastest-growing suburbs. Byford Station will offer 400 parking bays and a direct 46-minute trip to Perth, giving thousands of residents a fast, reliable alternative to driving. An elevated Armadale Station — rebuilt in the centre of town — adds another 200 parking bays and streamlines access for locals.
With the extension comes the removal of seven level crossings, reducing congestion and improving safety along the corridor. Two new road-over-rail bridges at Thomas Road and Eleventh Road, as well as modern signalling, mean trains can run more frequently and reliably, all the way to Byford.
Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh said: “The completion of this project will also provide the community with two new much-needed train stations and the extension of the Armadale Line to Byford. Train passengers throughout my community, from Kenwick through to Byford, will be looking forward to being able to start catching trains again from October.”
New community spaces and shared paths
Beyond trains and timetables, the project has delivered Long Park, a new seven-kilometre stretch of public open space running alongside the rail line. The parkland features 14 different community spaces, including playgrounds, skate parks, youth plazas, fitness stations, and shared paths for walking and cycling.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the changes will be felt well beyond the station platforms. “This transformative infrastructure project will benefit future generations, unlock new opportunities for development, and make more of Perth accessible by public transport,” she said.
Shared paths now thread through both new and established neighbourhoods, making it easier for locals to get active, meet up, or enjoy green space close to home.
Keeping train fares affordable
Fares along the Armadale Line will remain capped at two zones, meaning regular commuters and families can keep travelling at a lower cost. From January 1st, 2026, the new one-zone cap will take effect across the network, with passengers paying no more than $2.80 when using an autoload SmartRider.
How the Armadale Line has been transformed
More than 4,200 workers have been involved in the upgrade, which delivered eight kilometres of new dual-rail track, 22,000 sleepers, and 40,000 tonnes of crushed rock. The Rail Revitalisation Program saw another 15 kilometres of track between Kenwick and Sherwood replaced, along with upgraded drainage, overhead lines, communications, and signalling.
For the community, these works haven’t been without disruption. Armadale MLA Dr Tony Buti acknowledged the patience shown by locals: “While this will be an incredible asset for our community, I know the past 18 months have been challenging due to the disruptions, and I want to thank everyone again for their patience while we have delivered this project.”
