West Coast Wilderness Railway back on the right track with passenger growth

THE West Coast Wilderness Railway is back on track. Re-opened two years ago, the iconic West Coast destination has re-emerged as a serious tourism player, according to the 2015-16 State Growth Annual Report.

West Coast Wilderness Railway passenger numbers have grown by 36 per cent in the 2015-16 year. Picture: NICK OSBORNE

THE West Coast Wilderness Railway is back on track.

Re-opened two years ago, the iconic West Coast destination has re-emerged as a serious tourism player, according to the 2015-16 State Growth Annual Report.

Passenger numbers have grown by 36 per cent to 27,600, exceeding the expected passenger numbers for 2015-16 by 9.7 per cent.

Revenue is up 48 per cent to $3.43 million for the State Government-owned business.

There have been 848 scheduled departures and no trains have been cancelled due to mechanical or rail infrastructure issues.

The railway continues to receive very high level of satisfaction from passengers, scoring a 94 per cent overall satisfaction rating for the financial year.

The railway took out the Best Tourist Attraction at the 2015 Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Awards.

Works have started to convert the conference room at the Queenstown station to a larger, modern cafe and relocating and revising the railway’s museum.

Originally published as West Coast Wilderness Railway back on the right track with passenger growth