19 July 2010: Queensland: Cattle trains are smart

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 July 2010

Queensland:  Cattle trains are smart

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for continued support for rural producers through subsidised Cattletrain services (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public subsidies to support Cattletrain services are sensible. The Queensland Government has indicated that some subsidy for Cattletrain is to be provided (1). The costs of road freight though is very heavily subsidised by other road users, light vehicle users pay the majority of road taxes. Heavy vehicles are responsible for most of the damage to roads, and in actual fact road transport is very heavily subsidised by the community at a great cost to the environment; at a great cost in terms of road trauma and subsequent health care expenditure, and at a great cost in terms of social dislocation. This 'community subsidy' for road transport pales into insignificance for the cost-effective subsidy for Cattletrain services."

"The Queensland Government needs to maximise efforts to get bulk freight onto rail, including cattle. This means competitive pricing to encourage maximum use of rail. It is the safe, sustainable and truly the most cost effective way of transporting bulk freight."

"We have a rail network in place, time it was used to the maximum for the benefit of all of Queensland. More and more heavy vehicles on Queensland roads is just going to lead to massive costs (2)."

References:

1.  http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/hansard/documents/2010.pdf/2010_07_15_EST_C.pdf

2.  http://www.jplangbroek.com/cattle-train-fee-hike-means-more-trucks/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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