GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

CBD Metro project consultation begins

The NSW Government has lodged a Project Application for the construction of Sydney’s CBD Metro and will begin community consultation on the $4.8 billion project. Mr Campbell said the lodging of the Project Application along with a Preliminary Environmental Assessment were important steps towards delivering Australia’s first metro rail system. “The CBD Metro has become a very real part of Sydney’s future and the people of Sydney can now provide their feedback,” Mr Campbell said. “With construction of the CBD Metro set to start next year, it’s crucial that planning work be completed during 2009.”

Spending to improve crossing safety

Transport Minister John Mickel has announced an unprecedented spending program to improve rail level crossing safety across Queensland which he hopes will reduce crashes, potentially save lives and create jobs. “All up the program involves spending of about $65 million,” Mr Mickel said. “The major funding source is a $42 million Federal Government injection over two years which will accelerate the installation of boom gates and other active rail crossing control mechanisms at level crossings throughout Queensland.” This includes a $1 million community education campaign following two recent fatal collisions and ongoing concerns about motorists’ behaviour. The statewide ‘Some things are worth waiting for’ campaign includes TV, radio and newspaper advertising, an education package featuring a DVD and online tools, and outdoor billboards.

Extra level crossing protection

A $1.3 million upgrade to the level crossings at Stawell-Deep Lead Road, Deep Lead and at Rossbridge-Streatham Road, Mininera have been completed, improving safety for motorists. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the crossings had been upgraded to boost their safety features as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to improve safety at level crossings across Victoria. “The Brumby (Victorian) Government is taking action to build on our (Victoria's) record investment in rail safety and these crossings previously only had flashing lights prior to their upgrading,” Ms Kosky said. “Both crossings now feature boom barriers and electronic bells, with the Deep Lead crossing also featuring automated advance warning signs, making them safer for motorists, heavy vehicle drivers and train passengers.”

Opening delayed to respect bushfire victims

NSW Transport Minister David Campbell said the opening of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link would be moved from Sunday 22 February to Monday 23 February due to the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Victoria bushfires. Mr Campbell said it was deemed a sensible option to change the date to Monday out of respect for those who had lost their lives and those who had lost their livelihoods in the wake of the country’s worst ever natural disaster. “On Monday the Rail Link will be ‘fare free’, with trains open to the public from 11.05am from Chatswood and 11:16am from Epping. Travellers will be asked to give a gold coin donation, with the proceeds to go to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal,” Mr Campbell said.

Transport assistance for bushfire victims

The Victorian Government, in conjunction with V/Line, Connex, Yarra Trams and the bus industry, will provide free travel to individuals and families who have lost their homes in the recent bushfires. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said free travel would be available to all eligible people until 1 October 2009 on all public transport services in Victoria, including metropolitan, V/Line and bus services within regional cities. “Communities across Victoria have been devastated by more than 400 bushfires that have swept across the state. This offer allows people to use their local public transport services or catch V/Line services to and from Melbourne to visit loved ones in hospital or attend appointments,” Ms Kosky said.

Call for submissions to grain freight review

The Federal Government's plans to create a more reliable and efficient grain transport network in NSW have taken another step forward with a call for submissions into the NSW Grain Freight Review. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the Government is keen to hear from grain producers and the transport industry. The $3 million review is part of a key election commitment to look at grain freight in rural and regional NSW. Submissions are welcome on issues including:

• changes in production patterns and domestic and export markets for grain
• enhancing the efficiency of grain transport, storage and handling
• implications for regional communities and the environment.

Level crossing legislation review

A review of level crossings legislation forms part of the Law Commission’s tenth program of law reform. The Law Commission together with the Scottish Law Commission is developing options on the way forward and seeks views on these in late 2009. To support this work, a joint Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) and Law Commission seminar was held on 30 January 2009 to bring together stakeholders to participate in discussions and provide contributions to the review. A report on the seminar and any relevant documents are available on ORR’s website.

INDUSTRY

QR and unions to meet

QR has welcomed the decision by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to return to the negotiating table next week to talk through outstanding issues with the proposed traincrew agreement. This follows the threatened strikes that were cancelled earlier this week. Improving the roster system will help to deliver a better and more reliable service for customers. Discussions between parties will continue next week with facilitation by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Timetable changes for new rail link

In preparation for the opening of the new Epping to Chatswood rail link, CityRail is making some changes to its current timetable. The changes affect weekday Newcastle & Central Coast Line services and are part of CityRail's long-term plan to meet increasing demand and strengthen reliability. Departure times at some stations will change and several services will now stop at Epping Station for customers travelling between the Newcastle and Central Coast Line and the Epping to Chatswood rail link.

ARA Fortnightly Update

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released its latest fortnightly update. This issue includes:

• inquiry into the choice of emissions trading as the central policy to reduce Australia's carbon pollution
• Commonwealth parliamentary inquiries
• upcoming events.

Intercity mass transit system for China

A consortium comprising Siemens Mobility and the Chinese company Beijing Huatie Information Technology Development Corporation has been awarded a contract by Guangdong Guangfo Inter-City for the supply of signaling systems for the Guang-Fo Line (from Guangzhou to Foshan). The contract is worth around €32 million. Equipped with the most advanced signaling technology from Siemens, the first intercity mass transit system in China is scheduled to start operating as soon as the first phase has been completed in time for the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010. It is the sixth mass transit line in the region to be equipped with signaling systems from Siemens. Around 32 kilometers long, this new section of line will have 21 stations and will connect KuiQiLu Station in Foshan and LiJiao Station in Guangzhou.

Freight Rail Works campaign

The Association of American Railroads has launched its 2009 Freight Rail Works campaign, featuring television, radio, print and on-line ads highlighting the fuel-efficiency and environmental benefits of shipping freight by rail. This year’s ‘Big Numbers’ campaign promotes freight rail’s fuel saving credentials - a train can move a ton of freight 436 miles on one gallon of fuel - and congestion-busting abilities - one freight train can move the load of 280 trucks. The campaign also features real people advocating the benefits of moving freight by rail.

Fantastic plastic - recycled sleepers set to roll out

Everyday waste could form part of the railway of the future as Network Rail trials a new form of rail sleeper made from recycled plastic. The trial will see around 20 tonnes of waste material recycled to form the new sleepers which will replace timber ones along some of the rural lines on the network. During the trial Network Rail will test whether they can withstand the rigours of a running railway and, once proven, will look to progressively roll them out across parts of the network. Each year Network Rail replaces around 185,000 timber sleepers, which are a feature on some slower lines, as well as depots, sidings and points at junctions.

ACCIDENTS

Freight train and car collide at crossing

A level crossing collision between a freight train and a car on 17 February 2009 highlights the need for motorists to be on heightened alert when entering rail crossings, Transport Minister John Mickel said. “This collision demonstrates once again that level crossings are inherently dangerous and need to be approached with particular caution,” Mr Mickel said. The cause of the collision, including the operation of the flashing lights, will be fully investigated to determine exactly what happened. In this instance, the level crossing had flashing lights and signs and initial reports indicate that the lights were working.

Fifteen die in India train crash

At least 15 people were killed and more than 100 injured when a passenger train derailed in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, officials said. Twelve carriages of the Cormandel Express came off the rails soon after the train left Jajpur Road station near the city of Bhubaneswar. The train was travelling between Calcutta and Chennai (Madras). The cause of the accident is unclear, but reports said the train was travelling at a very high speed. "At least 15 deaths are confirmed," said JP Mishra, a senior spokesperson for East Coast Railway. "We do not know what caused the accident as yet."