Rita’s Last Words – Before the Bridge Closure!

At 9 am this morning, Friday 30 January 2026, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, with local MLAs Simone McGurk, Freo, and Lisa O’Malley, Bicton alongside her, and cheek and jowl with the Old Fremantle Traffic Bridge/New Fremantle Traffic Bridge, held a Presser at which they outlined the preparations in place ahead of the closure of the Bridge on Sunday for up to 12 months. 

Here’s where the Presser was held. 

Media were advised ‘NOTE: Long sleeves, long pants and steel cap boots required.’ Truth be told, Media just love to dress up. Boots. Hard hats. Hi-vis. Wrap around eye protectors.

Anyway, the Hon Rita was at pains to repeat the Government’s message that a ‘comprehensive suite of initiatives’ has been implemented to reduce peak-hour vehicle usage and keep Stirling Highway moving during the closure period.

The Minister emphasised that: This includes additional train and bus services, a free travel zone along South Terrace between Douro Road and Fremantle Station, additional transit officers, 100 additional parking bays at Fremantle Station and free parking for passengers using SmartRiders. 

Here are the points the Minister and the Government want you to note –

• Removing the current $2 parking fee at the station in addition to the new Go Anywhere Fare will provide a weekly saving of up to $27 for commuters using the train to travel from Fremantle to Perth five days a week.
• To keep traffic moving on Stirling Highway, Main Roads has modified 20 surrounding intersections and have installed 18 new devices to provide enhanced real-time monitoring of traffic movements so the information can be relayed immediately to road users.
• From Monday morning, incident response teams will be permanently stationed alongside Stirling Highway in the area to respond immediately to any issues that occur on the road network.
• Three new school bus special services will also be in place from Monday morning to provide services to Iona Presentation College, St Hilda’s Anglican School For Girls and Presbyterian Ladies’ College to reduce car usage to and from these schools over Stirling Bridge in the morning and afternoon peak.
• A wide range of resources, including factsheets and an interactive map, are available on the Main Roads, Public Transport Authority and Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure websites to help road users familiarise themselves with the changes. 
• Pocket guides have been distributed to more than 40,000 residences in Fremantle and surrounding areas in recent months, with more than 60 information drop-in sessions held since May. 
• The new Live Traffic WA mobile phone app is also available to provide drivers in the Fremantle area with real-time alerts on traffic conditions and congestion.

All three pollies released a Media Statement shortly after the Presser sensibly acknowledging that there are going to be challenging times ahead.

In fact, don’t take my word for it, have a listen!

So folks, get ready.

As I like to say, start thinking like a rat!

And catch the train or a bus whenever you can.

Or walk or ride a bike.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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