Article: Extra Adel-Darwin rail service starts

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

Extra Adel-Darwin rail service starts

Extra Adel-Darwin rail service starts

Posted Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:29pm AEST

FreightLink will add an extra weekly rail service between Adelaide and Darwin because it says demand is growing for transport to the Northern Territory.

There are currently five services a week and the sixth will begin from Thursday.

Chief executive John Fullerton says the rising cost of fuel is making road transport an expensive option.

"We commenced operations back in January 2004 and operated five trains to Darwin from Adelaide and we carried about 500,000 tonnes, so we're now carrying 800,000 tonnes each year and we do require a sixth train to commence operations," he said.

"The longer the distance to haul freight, the more competitive rail is compared to other forms of transport.

"That equally is the same for fuel as prices of fuel increase it makes rail more competitive and I think we're seeing the results of that in terms of freight coming off road onto rail."

FreightLink has been reporting financial losses and has the service on the market.