Debate over the merits of public and private transport has gathered pace in recent years. Yet road building in metropolitan Perth, already Australia's most motorised city, continues apace. While investment in more environmentally sustainable forms of transport has lifted as a result of a rail electrication and extension programme, plans for damaging inner city freeway type links still remain.One project in this category is the so-called City Northern Bypass. After consideration of its planning history, a light rail option is presented and some factors in its favour are considered.