Ministerial Statement: Big year for QR

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
14/11/2007

Big year for QR

QR transported more people and freight last financial year than ever before.

Transport Minister John Mickel said about 58.8 million passengers journeys were completed safely on state's rail network in 2006-07.

"Peak patronage on the Citytrain network increased by 9% on the previous year, a highlight being the introduction of the first of the new fleet of 44 trains in May," Mr Mickel said.

"QR's freight business also moved the largest single haulage for a company in the history of Australia's railways: 238 million tonnes.

"QR also delivered the largest ever capital program of almost $1.5 billion, with $660 million in below-rail infrastructure that included $300 million in infrastructure for the coal industry.

"It's been a big year for QR as it moves to meet the rapidly growing demand for passenger services, and adapt to the increasingly competitive national freight transport market."

QR's annual report for 2006-07 has been tabled in state parliament. Queensland has a narrow-gauge network extending about 10,000km, with coal the most profitable haulage.

Mr Mickel said QR was considering options to progress to its next phase of growth.

"This year highlighted the important role of all stakeholders in the coal chain, including QR," Mr Mickel said.

"QR's total tonnages grew by close to 9% to 176 million tonnes in 2006-07, and railing operations began from six new coal mines in the Goonyella and Hunter Valley systems.

"QR is more than halfway through a $1.4 billion program for 120 new or upgraded locomotives and 1500 new coal wagons, and last month the Queensland Government announced another $654 million investment in new rollingstock for the state's coal export system.

"A business improvement program has also been established to deliver an extra five million tonnes per annum out of the Goonyella system, with a similar process implemented in the Blackwater system.

"It's been a very strong year for QR, positioning the corporation to move on to even bigger things this financial year."


Fast facts from QR's annual report for 2006-07

? 58.776 million passenger journeys completed on 260,000 services
? Citytrain peak patronage increased by 9%
? Citytrain network covers about 300km of track and includes 143 stations
? CR's freight business hauled 238 million tonnes of freight
? Coal tonnages increased by almost 9% to about 176 million tonnes
? QR Network Access maintains and manages access to and operations on one of Australia's largest rail networks, with approximately 10,000km of track and associated infrastructure.


November 14, 2007

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[ozbob]

Well done QR!

The new IMUs and soon to be SMUs are excellent.  See  for RAIL Back On Track Media Release
1 Nov 2007: SEQ - New trains very popular with commuters!
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