Cash splash continues to soak WA election The Metropolitan Area Express is expected to carry more than 25,000 commuters a day from the northern suburbs. WEST Australian Treasurer Troy Buswell has revealed a $1.8 billion price tag for the Perth light rail plan the Liberals are taking to the March 9 election. The Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) tramway is expected to carry more than 25,000 commuters a day from the northern suburbs to the city by 2018. Mr Buswell, who is also transport minister, says the plan would transform Perth and pass through one of the city's pedestrian shopping precincts, either the Hay Street or the Murray Street mall. That set the government on a collision course with Perth mayor Lisa Scaffidi, who is opposed to trams in the city's pedestrian areas. "People should not be afraid of light rail interacting with pedestrians, it happens in other places in the world," Mr Buswell said. He said millions had been spent planning the tramway, and the $1.8 billion cost was realistic and accurate. "I am very confident that we can deliver this project for that amount of money," Mr Buswell said. The Labor costing for their (rail) project was done in their office, presumably on the back of an envelope. But opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt described the Liberal plan as a "ghost train." "It is clear the Liberals do not have a plan but are just announcing a string of ideas that they think will be popular," Mr Wyatt said. Labor's first big election promise for the week was $1.27 billion for school infrastructure, with $100 million to be spent upgrading high schools in Ballajura, Eastern Hills, Lynwood, Morley, Rossmoyne, South Fremantle, Thornlie and Wanneroo, new primary schools in Caversham, Lakelands and Landsdale, and new high schools in Ellenbrook and Forrestdale. "As a father of three young children, I understand the importance of giving our children a quality education," Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said. This is a priority for many Western Australian families who want to provide their children the education they need to succeed in life. After Mr McGowan admitted his opposition to the federal government's carbon tax on the weekend, a Liberal campaign pamphlet emerged today, painting the former navy man as a leader who "can't make decisions, and can't add up." Labor labelled the pamphlet dirty campaigning. "If the Liberal party actually wants to have any credibility, they should withdraw it and pulp them," Mr McGowan said. A Liberal proposal to spend more than $16 million to improve facilities along the Swan River was also revealed on Monday, including plans to increase the population of the iconic black swan, which features on the state flag.