Logistics News

Government and industry leaders link in rail working groups

NTC working groups see cooperation to secure modal efficiencies

 

Federal and state and territory governments will partner with key members of the rail industry in a bid to lift the productivity and safety of Australia’s rail network.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has already established three industry-government working groups to deliver the National Rail Action Plan (NRAP), agreed by the Transport and Infrastructure Council last year.

“Through the National Rail Action Plan, we will ensure we have the skills and labour required to build and operate an efficient and safe rail network,” federal transport minister Michael McCormack says.

“We are improving Australia’s rail system by continuing to align and harmonise operating rules, infrastructure and operational standards and systems across the national network.

“These working groups are the latest step to getting on with the job and implementing the vision as part of the partnership with experienced and respected industry and Government professionals.

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering critical rail infrastructure and improving the safety and productivity of rail operations and we are overseeing a major wave of investment in rail.

“The National Rail Action Plan will complement the 10-year, $10 billion National Rail Program, which is designed to help make our cities more liveable and efficient as they grow.

“The plan also aims to reduce the burden on our roads, provide more reliable transport networks and support our efforts to decentralise our economy and grow regional Australia.

“The National Rail Action Plan will also support the work Government is doing with industry to boost the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as establishing an oversight group to investigate the introduction and roll-out of the Advanced Train Management System.”


Read about the advisory group on the ATMS, here


Australasian Railway Association (ARA) CEO Caroline Wilkie will co-chair a Skills and Labour Working Group with Tony Braxton-Smith, CEO of the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) group executive strategy Simon Ormsby will co-chair a group on interoperability with the NTC chair Carolyn Walsh.

Deb Spring, CEO of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board, will co-chair a working group on harmonising national standards with Ben Phyland from the Victorian Department of Transport.

More information on the National Rail Action Plan can be found here and on the National Rail Program here

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend