Perth & Western Australia - Australia 2004 - page 426

The best way to get around town is on the free CAT (Central Area Transit)
buses that run a continual loop of the city and Northbridge. The Red CAT runs
east-west every 5 minutes, Monday through Friday from 6:50am to 6:20pm,
and once every 35 minutes from 10am to 6:15pm weekends. The Blue CAT
runs north-south as far north as Northbridge and south to Barrack Street Jetty
every 7 minutes from 6:50am. The last Blue CAT service is at 6:20pm Monday
through Thursday, and on Friday it continues every 15 minutes from 6:20pm
until 1am Saturday morning. Saturdays it runs from 8:30am to 1am (Sun morn-
ing) every 15 minutes, and Sundays every 15 minutes from 10am to 6:15pm.
The Yellow CAT runs between East Perth and the city center every 10 minutes
from 6:50am to 6:20pm weekdays and every 15 minutes 10am to 6:15pm week-
ends. There are no CAT services on public holidays. Look for the silver CAT bus
stops. Transperth InfoCentres (see above) dispense free route maps.
The Perth Tram Co. tours (see “Whale-Watching Cruises, Tram Trips &
Other Tours,” later in this chapter) are a good way to get around, too.
By Train Trains are fast, clean, and safe. They start from about 5:30am and
run every 15 minutes or even more often during the day, and every half-hour at
night until midnight. NightRider trains depart Perth at 1 and 2am Friday and
Saturday night (meaning Sat-Sun morning) December through March, stop-
ping at all stations on all lines. All trains leave from Perth Railway Station oppo-
site Forrest Place on Wellington Street. Buy your ticket before you board, at the
vending machines on the platform.
By Ferry You will probably use ferries only to visit Perth Zoo. They run every
half-hour or so, more often in peak hours, every day from 6:50am weekdays and
7:50am weekends and public holidays, until 7:15pm (or until 9:15pm on
Fri-Sat nights in summer between Sept and Apr) from the Barrack Street Jetty
to Mends Street in South Perth. Buy tickets before you board from the vending
machine on the wharf. The trip takes 7 minutes.
By Taxi Perth's two biggest taxi companies are Swan Taxis ( & 13 13 30 ) and
Black & White Taxis ( & 13 10 08 ). Ranks are located at Perth Railway Sta-
tion, and at both ends of Hay Street Mall.
By Car Perth's signposting is notorious for telling you where you have been,
not where you are going—for example, some interstate highways are announced
with insignificant signs more suited to a side street.
The major car-rental companies are Avis ( & 08/9325 7677), Budget ( & 08/
9480 3111), EuropCar ( & 08/9226 0026), Hertz ( & 08/9321 7777), and
Thrifty ( & 08/9464 7444). All except Hertz also have outlets in Fremantle. ATC
Rent-A-Car ( & 1800/999 888 in Australia, or 08/9325 1833) is a locally owned
outfit with offices in Monkey Mia and Broome; it also rents camping kits.
FAST FACTS: Perth
American Express The bureau at 645 Hay Street Mall ( & 08/9221 0777 ) is
open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am
to noon.
Business Hours Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am
to 4pm and until 5pm Friday. Shopping hours are usually from 9am to