AvonLink

The AvonLink is a rural passenger train service in Western Australia operated by Transwa between Midland and Northam.

History
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. From July 2001, the Perth terminus moved from East Perth to Midland where a connection is made with Transperth Midland 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 region MLAs, Mia Davies and Shane Love, 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 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 and Northam stopping at Toodyay.

Rolling stock
The service commenced with WCA/WCE railcars built in 1971 to operate The Prospector.

In December 2000 Westrail awarded a contract to United Goninan, Broadmeadow for 9 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. The new train entered service on 1 August 2005.

Ridership
The AvonLink had 7,057 passengers in the year leading up to June 2022.