Up to 136 trucks to be taken off NSW roads due to new freight train service to Port Botany
January 21, 2010
Up to 136 trucks will be taken off NSW roads after the announcement of a new freight train service to Port Botany.
The new service begins today and runs between Yennora and the port facility.
NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay says the service will deliver economic benefits to the port through increased trade.
P&O Trans Australia (POTA) will take charge of the new service, while Minstre for Roads David Campbell took pride in saying the train will mean less trucks on the road.
“The NSW Government has also signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Government owned Australian Rail Track Corporation to lease the New South Wales interstate track and Hunter Valley rail freight corridors, to attract more freight to rail,’’ Campbell says.
“It is these sorts of initiatives that will help reduce the number of trucks on our roads.”
The Sydney Ports Corporation says the introduction of the freight train will increase volumes at Port Botany.
“By increasing the rail modal share, we’ll be improving overall productivity at the port and also alleviating congestion and pollution on major roads like the M5 Tunnel into the port precinct,” the corporation’s CEO, Grant Gilfillan, says
He says rail volumes to and from the port last year continued to increase and were up by 13.5 precent.
“Greater utilisation of rail will help Port Botany enhance an efficient and consistent supply chain in one of Australia’s main international trade gateways,” Gilfillan says.