Fremantle Train Station

I was very impressed by the customer service offered to me at the train station especially was I had not even approached the reception booth when a kindly, older gentleman approached and introduced himself as a customer service representative and guided me through the necessary zones (2) to purchase for the trip into Perth. Further, he suggested a one way fare ($ 4.50) versus a day pass (over $ 12) since there are free Cat busses to transport visitors to points far and near.

Maybe it’s the tourist in me but I loved this charming little train station. I’m surprised that it’s so criticized. However, being American, I may have lower standards for toilets in train or bus systems. However, this train station has a historic feel its attractive and is conveniently located within walking distance for the Fremantle markets and the prison. Very easy to use and navigate for anyone, even if you aren’t familiar with the area. Great location, clean and easy to use! What more do you really need out of a train station?

Fremantle is an old train station with really old toilets but there’s always staff around, even if it’s only transit guards. Relatively clean but sometimes with the toilets it’s a case of only go if you can’t wait. The buses depending on the route run fairly often and the little shop is open most of the time.

… Fremantle Train Station… was a functional piece of the transport system…
Unfortunately, after reading previous review, I feel I missed the real highlight of the trip… THE TOILETS!!!

I was quite surprised to find that other Unilocalers had reviewed this rtain station but I suppose I don’t usually review transport and I am reviewing it. It is the pretties station in Perth and can become the focus of the whole city. When you walk down from the prison you get a great view.
Inside, although small when compared to the likes of Melbourne or Sydeny stations, it is quaint and cute. But why are the toilets so big? There is a massive room for the ladies bathroom and even each individual cubicle is huge.
Regardless, when you get to the station adn your next late train isn’t for another 55 minutes, there could be worse places to be.

Freo train station is fittingly Freo. It is in an old style heritage building and it’s a bit grimy and a bit quirky.
Well, the toilets are definitely quirky. They just remind me of a set from a student film. A student film that plays at the Astor and doesn’t follow any Hollywood conventions. It
is not pretty and it raises questions about society.
Well, these toilets sort of raise questions about society: How is it that some of the oldest toilets in Perth are kept so (relatively) clean and in such (relatively) good condition?
The clean toilets are a massive coo for the station and I feel like adding another star to my review because of it. But, before anyone calls me a liar, remember I used the word relative a relatively large number of times in the previous sentence, just to emphasise a point.
The station could do with having someone on soap patrol though. Liquid soap, people. It needs to be liquid soap in a public arena!
There’s a little take-​away shop as you leave the station and a vending machine. I think the over-​priced vending machine is usually preferable to a cheese sandwich bulging with butter but they sell some alright stuff at this little shop.
Late at night they usually have guards at this station, good. The Freo train station is the start to a pleasant journey through affluent and lush suburbs. Oh, then you keep going to Midland. Don’t expect a happy ending there.

For me there is something relaxing about riding to the last stop, another part of your brain can momentarily switch off and enjoy the ride.
The ride to Freo is a beautiful one passed some funky stations but mainly, it hugs the coast. I enjoy finding a sunny seat and setting myself up for a viewing gallery of life. Whenever I ride this train I am appreciative for where I am in the world and when i get to the station– the love keeps growing. This is one of the most casual, laid back stations in Perth. The attendants are always very friendly and the information boards display information about the buses at the interchange just outside. The location of the station is such that everyone can flow out of the gates and find themselves welcomed by a park and then subconsciously wandering down the main street of Fremantle. The quirks: the mens’ toilet is inside the barriers and the womens’ toilet is outside.
Inside or out, I’m riding Freo to the end of the line.

Coming from England the Transperth train service is a dream, tickets are relatively cheap, they run frequently and on time, and aren’t a hundred years old and smell of wee! An absolute miracle for me. But I do miss the old school buildings that train stations used to be in. But then I started catching the train into uni at Notre Dame and got a little historical transport architecture back. It has a beautiful traditional building for it’s station and is a cool feature to begin your journey into Fremantle. There is a bus station and taxi rank right outside if you need to continue you your journey further. But it’s centred in the middle of Fremantle so you can pretty much walk anywhere you need to go in town. At night the station isn’t the safest, but there are transperth transit guards around normally, and you don’t have fantastic access to the platform without a ticket so I’ve always felt pretty safe there, again another miracle coming from England!

Fremantle Station is the start of anyone’s journey outside of the little port city. Fremantle is the end of the line for all services, with buses and trains running to Cockburn, Esplanade, Como, Perth City, East Perth and Garden City Shopping Centre, just to name a few. The train station is kind of old, and reminds me a lot of Central Station in Sydney. I feel like I should be waving a hanky and crying as trains depart, actually. Luckily, they’re not complete Luddites, so they have ample wheelchair access, a display of all alighting train services and waiting times, and a taxi rank for those who get a little impatient with the buses (definitely comes in handy late at night!). Their toilets look more like they get occupied by addicts more than passengers answering the call of nature, so best to avoid at night if you value your safety. Also, the station isn’t very well guarded after 7pm, and turns into juvie drinking central on the weekend. Apart from that, it’s never too dirty, I usually feel relatively safe during daylight hours, and I like the lollies from the news stand. A-​OK by me.