The union says the sudden investment in rail projects is too little, too late
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says the Federal government’s newfound interest in passenger rail is too little, too late for urban commuters who are already being smashed by skyrocketing fuel costs.
It says actions speak louder than promises and that the Federal government’s “appalling record on passenger rail” speaks for itself.
“Scott Morrison’s sudden election-eve interest in rail is about as genuine as his sudden interest in the Cronulla Sharks after he won preselection for the seat of Cook,” RTBU national secretary Mark Diamond says.
“This Federal government has had nine years to invest in better rail infrastructure and to provide people with transport options to reduce their reliance on imported fuel, but they have done nothing.
“For Scott Morrison to discover rail now just adds salt to the wounds of commuters and highlights his inability to plan for the future.”
According to Diamond, the reported $1 billion upgrade to the rail corridor between Sydney and Newcastle did not appear to make any sense and “came out of the blue” without planning or consultation.
“Spending a billion dollars on extra tracks at Wyong will make little difference, if any at all, to travel times between Sydney and Newcastle, as the slow sections of the route are further south between Hornsby and Gosford,” Diamond says.
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Diamond says the announcement of this rail funding at Wyong is “more about buying votes in the marginal seat of Dobell than about genuine improvements to the rail network”.
“A real plan to improve inter-city rail would involve identifying a new purpose-built railway line for fast trains, as was proposed by the High Speed Rail Advisory Group – a body that this government abolished,” Diamond says.
“Australians deserve better when it comes to rail and transport options.”