GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Ministry releases Transport Indicator Report

On 28 May 2008 the NSW Ministry of Transport released the final report summarising statistics on travel patterns for residents of Sydney in 2006. The report is available at the above link in both PDF and Excel formats.

Iemma breaks spending record

The Iemma Government will again break the record on Public Transport spending as it grows to $5.9 billion, with increases in capital spending and a financial commitment to the new North West Metro project. This includes $3.75 billion in the 2008/09 budget - a 12.2% increase on last year. Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins said the 2008/09 Budget includes a massive $1.8 billion in capital spending. Rail capital projects include the new North West Metro and the South West Rail Link CityRail Network expansion, and continued investment on new and improved rail carriages of $152.9 million.

National Transport Plan

On 30 May 2008 the National Transport Commission (NTC) released its first report on the progress of the national transport reform agenda. Last month Australia’s Transport Ministers agreed on an ambitious program of national reform to address significant challenges across all modes - passenger and freight - including climate change, safety, efficiency, congestion, and the skills crisis. Development of the National Transport Policy is a significant task throughout which the NTC will continue to provide progress updates.

New Commissioners to lead reform

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has confirmed that Transport Ministers have appointed Michael Deegan, Professor Ian Johnston AM, Greg Martin, Julie-Anne Schafer and Bill Noonan AOM as NTC Commissioners. Mr Deegan will continue in his role as Chairman, with Mr Martin appointed as Deputy Chairman. Mr Deegan said the new Commissioners will play an important role in driving the NTC’s strategic direction and in providing support for the National Transport Policy and Plan.

Co-operation delivers major rail project

The Victorian Government has announced its plan to work with the Federal Government to inject $501.3 million to Victoria’s north-east rail corridor. This historic agreement will create an interstate rail freight super-highway and deliver major passenger rail service improvements in Victoria.

Report makes rail safety recommendations

On 29 May 2008 the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities released its report: Report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on Rail Safety in Canada, which makes a number of recommendations for enhancing railway safety. Due to the frequency of rail accidents in Canada in the last few years, notably in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec and the resulting fatalities and environmental damage, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, in October 2006, undertook an in-depth study into railway safety in Canada.

Amey Rail fined £20,000 over death

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has announced that a construction company has been fined £20,000 following the death of a railway worker at Acton in west London. Amey Rail Ltd pleaded guilty in the Acton Magistrates Court to charges under Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure the safety of its employees, and others who might be affected by its work activities. It was fined £10,000 for each charge and ordered to pay all prosecution costs. The prosecution was brought by the ORR following an investigation into the death of track worker Jason Wilkinson.

GOVERNMENT CONTINUED

FRA Fact Sheet

On 28 May 2008 the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an industry Fact Sheet onTrains Blocking Highway-Rail Grade Crossings. The Fact Sheet outlines rules and regulations relating to blocked grade crossings and a number of actions for communities and railroads to eliminate or ameliorate problems from blocked crossings.

National Travel Survey

On 29 May 2008 the Department for Transport (UK) released the National Rail Travel Survey (NRTS) Final 2008 Report. The NRTS is a survey of passenger trips on the national rail system in Great Britain on weekdays outside school holidays.

INDUSTRY

ARA fortnightly update

On 30 May 2008 Australasian Railway Association issued a fortnightly update. This issue includes:

• Submission to the Strategic Review of Climate Change
• Driver caught and car impounded for disobeying level crossing protection
• RISSB Standards
• Australian Network Rules and Procedures (ANRP) Project.

CRC research update

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Rail Innovation recently released its second research update. The CRC is a collaborative venture between leading organisations in the Australian rail industry and Australian universities, supported by the Commonwealth Government.

Rising fuel costs on transit services

The American Public Transport Association has published the results from a recent survey of members regarding rising fuel costs. The survey sought to understand the general levels of increases in costs experienced by agencies, typical actions taken in response to these changes, and strategies agencies are undertaking to purchase fuel.

ACCIDENTS

Boy killed in a level crossing accident

A six-year-old boy has been killed in a collision between a minivan and a coal train at a level crossing in Queensland. The collision occurred in foggy conditions at Macalister, about 20 kilometres northwest of Dalby and west of Brisbane.

Man dies in train accident

On 31 May 2008 the Star Tribune Minnesota reported that a Columbia Heights man died after falling off a train in St. Paul. Railroad employees found the man, 25, pinned under a rail car.

Seven killed in level crossing accident

On 3 June 2008 it was reported that seven children were killed and 25 people injured when a train ploughed into a packed school bus on a level crossing in the French Alps, local officials said.