THE AvonLink train service between Northam and Perth will be expanded from December 1 thanks to funding from the state government's Royalties for Regions program.
The government will provide $6.575 million over three years, catering for passengers on two extra return services on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, a new return service on weekends and one return service for 10 special events per year.
In August last year, plans were revealed for buses to replace the Avonlink from the end of this year, saving taxpayers between $800,000 and $900,000 annually.
Two reasons cited were low patronage and high operating costs.
Avon Valley residents jointly signed two petitions urging the government to keep the AvonLink open.
The state government backflipped on its decision to scrap the service, retaining it initially for a period of six months.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the expanded service would encourage further growth and increased sustainability of the Avon region.
"Local communities depend heavily on the AvonLink service," he said.
"This funding will provide them with reliable public transport to access employment, higher education and other metropolitan-based services.
"The service will support Avon events and experiences, with one return service to be provided for 10 special events per year."
The proposal for the new service was developed by a working group of representatives from the Public Transport Authority, Wheatbelt Development Commission, shires of Northam and Toodyay and community representatives.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said patronage on the service would be reviewed after 18 months to ensure the project was on track.
"This government has listened to concerns from the community and is prepared to support the continuation of this service, if enough people use the service to justify our investment," Mr Nalder said.
Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies said the Avonlink was a vital public transport service for locals and visitors to the region and she looked forward to working with the community to see it fully utilised over the trial period.
"I am delighted the Avonlink rail service is back on track for another three years and thank the community for their support as we campaigned for its return," Ms Davies said.
"The project is just one example of how Royalties for Regions is making a real difference in regional Western Australia and why we all need to defend the program from its detractors.
"Without the funding the Avon Valley and surrounds would have lost a valuable service, and now we have the opportunity to make it work."
Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said she protested when former transport minister Troy Buswell announced last year the Avonlink railway service from Perth to Northam would be ditched.
"The country-passenger rail system was nearing the 20-year mark when the cut was announced and was used daily by Perth and Northam commuters; the community can now breathe a sigh of relief that growth in the Avon region is reinvigorated rather than discouraged," Ms MacLaren said.
"It was nonsensical for the transport minister to ditch a perfectly good railway service and put more buses on our roads; the decision was far less sustainable and would have added to our congestion concerns.
"We welcome a rail service surviving the state budget when the state government is concerned with building more roads in a vain attempt to reduce congestion.
"In a time where we need to protect our environment and encourage cars off the road, we need to be increasing the use of our railway system, not the other way around."