4 Jan 2022: RAIL Back on Track Welcomes Newcastle-Sydney High-Speed Rail ...

[ozbob]

RAIL Back on Track Welcomes Newcastle-Sydney High-Speed Rail Link ALP Policy

4th January 2022

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers welcomes the Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese MP's policy announcement of a high-speed rail commitment between Sydney, Central Coast and  Newcastle ( https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/our-policies/sydney-to-hunter-fast-rail ).

High speed rail has long been a dream in Australia.  High speed rail means trains traveling at around 250 km/h or more. This is different from fast rail which are speeds up to 160 to 200 km/h.  There is a place for both high speed and fast regional rail in Australia.

The Sydney - Central Coast - Newcastle proposed high speed rail link is the best first location for a high speed rail project for Australia, without doubt.

A key difference between this and previous high-speed rail policy announcements is that real money - $500 million - is on the table and a viable destination within an achievable range of a capital city is being proposed. High speed rail is expensive, and to complete the project will require many billions of dollars, but $500 million will allow for initial planning, some corridor acquisition and early works. Interest rates are the lowest ever seen, which makes financing for projects like this possible.

For too long, the Australian High-Speed Rail debate has focused on competing with air travel for leisure and business travelers.
Competing with planes for this travel demographic is the wrong focus. The real competitive market is not between trains versus planes, but between trains versus highway lanes and the daily commuter.

Trains are  much safer over long distances compared to driving, where fatigue, congestion, and poor road etiquette from other road users all affects the safety of the journey. High speed rail is much quicker as well.

We look forward to further exciting announcements in this area for the upcoming Federal Election.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org


Reference

Labor leader Anthony Albanese pledges $500m for Sydney-Newcastle fast rail https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-02/anthony-albanese-pledges-sydney-newcastle-fast-rail-funds/100734900

[ozbob]

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