The dramatic decline in public transport patronage across the metropolitan area is showing no signs of abating and has plummeted to a five-year low.

The latest data shows there were about five million fewer journeys taken on Perth’s buses and trains last year, compared with 2015.

Train patronage fell by 2.9 million journeys (or 4.7 per cent) and bus patronage by 2.6 million (3.2 per cent).

There were 4,588,810 journeys on Perth trains in December — the lowest in seven years.

Transport Minister Bill Marmion yesterday conceded that many people may have returned to travelling in their cars now that petrol prices were relatively low and there were improvements to the road network which had increased capacity.

The biggest falls were on Perth’s three heritage train lines, with the Armadale line recording more than one million fewer journeys across the year — a 11.8 per cent fall.

Play Video One of the main roads to Terminal 3 and 4 at Perth airport will be closed. The West Australian Video One of the main roads to Terminal 3 and 4 at Perth airport will be closed.

Armadale mayor Henry Zelones regularly travels on the Armadale line and believes more could be done to make it more attractive and comfortable. He said peak-hour trains were generally packed and many passengers had to stand for most of the journey.

“Longer trains or more frequent trains might alleviate the peak-hour squeeze and make it more comfortable for passengers,” he said. “And more carparking bays at many stations might encourage more people to park and ride.”

Shadow transport minister Rita Saffioti described the decline as alarming, particularly the falls on the heritage lines.

Play Video There are questions over why a $30 million car park at Edgewater train station is empty. The West Australian Video There are questions over why a $30 million car park at Edgewater train station is empty.

“This is not sustainable and the Barnett Government has no plan to stop the fall in patronage on existing lines,” she said.

“As part of WA Labor’s Metronet plan, we will invest in the heritage lines, upgrading stations and starting a program to remove level crossings.”

The only bright spot in the latest Perth Transport Authority data is the continuing popularity of Perth’s cross-river ferry service.

Patronage on the service nearly doubled last year, from 389,174 to 764,216 journeys.

The growth may hasten plans for an expanded ferry service, with a private operator believed to be involved in negotiations.

Mr Marmion said the Government had put more buses, covering more kilometres and more railcars out on the network to ensure service delivery.

He said consecutive surveys showed people who used public transport were overwhelmingly happy with the service level.

And he said the Government had continued its focus on reducing traffic delays with initiatives through its traffic congestion management plan.