GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

ITSRR releases Waterfall Report 17

The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) has released its seventeenth quarterly report on the implementation of the NSW Government’s response to the Special Commission of Inquiry (SCOI) into the Waterfall Accident. At the end of the reporting period (1 January to 31 March 2009) the number of recommendations closed was 172 - or 97% of all recommendations.

Historic investment in rail

The 2009-10 Budget has delivered the most sweeping investment in rail in generations. The Budget marks a historic change, with the Federal Government becoming the first ever national government to invest significantly in the passenger rail infrastructure within Australian cities. All up, the Government plan to invest $7.9 billion over six years, improving and expanding the nation's passenger and freight rail infrastructure. A competitive, safe and reliable rail network - both within and between Australia’s major urban communities - will be critical to lifting national productivity, curbing the escalating cost of traffic congestion and tackling climate change by contributing to reducing carbon pollution.

Cross River Rail key to transport future

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has welcomed the Federal Government’s budget announcement of $20 million for Cross River Rail, a major rail project to improve rail capacity and frequency through the Brisbane CBD. Ms Nolan said the committed funding would facilitate detailed planning including the selection of a preferred corridor, the preparation of an environmental impact statement and extensive community consultation.

Regional rail work to start this year

Regional Rail Link, the centrepiece of the Victorian Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, has secured Federal Government funding allowing works to increase services across the V/Line and metropolitan rail networks to start by the end of the year. Victorian Premier John Brumby welcomed the Federal Government’s Budget announcement of $3.2 billion towards the project and said it demonstrated Victoria had prioritised the right nation building projects to stimulate the economy and sustain jobs. “Regional Rail Link will create a generational shift in Victoria’s rail network, for the first time separate our regional and metropolitan trains, improve capacity, allow for more services and importantly, secure at least 2,800 jobs during construction,” Mr Brumby said.

Key rail projects get underway

Work on laying 658,000 new concrete sleepers along two critical sections of the interstate freight rail network has started with funding provided under the Federal Government's Economic Stimulus Package. The two projects getting underway are:

• A $100 million upgrade of the line between Maroona and the South Australian border: a project that will replace the existing wooden sleepers with 433,000 new concrete sleepers; and
• A $45 million upgrade of the line between Albury and Seymour in Victoria: a project that will replace the existing wooden sleepers with 225,000 new concrete sleepers.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese congratulated the Australian Rail Track Corporation for moving so quickly to put its economic stimulus funding to work, creating jobs and modernising the nation's rail infrastructure.

INDUSTRY

CityRail testing to decrease crowding

CityRail will test new methods to improve the flow of customers on station platforms from 18 to 29 May 2009. The testing, which will take place at Town Hall Station platform 2, aims to improve the flow of customers on platforms so everyone can get on and off trains more easily, ensuring customer safety and allowing trains to run on-time.

Connex to put more handrails on trains

In response to feedback from customers who said they wanted more handles to hold onto during their train journey, Connex is investing $600,000 to install new overhead ceiling handrails in 40 Comeng trains - around a quarter of its fleet. The 720 handrails - 7600 metres of railing - will be rolled out over the coming weeks at a rate of one six-car train per day. A crew of 10 will work between peak hours to minimise the impact on train services. “This $600,000 project is evidence that we’re not resting on our laurels - we’re continuing to focus on ways that we can improve our customers’ experience at a time when patronage is at an all-time high,” Executive Chairman Jonathan Metcalfe said.  

ARA Fortnightly Update

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

• National Rail Safety Week 2009
• Transforming Rail.

Urban Rail Transport Project exhibition 

Connex and Monash University launched The Urban Rail Transport Project exhibition on Monday 11 May at Flinders Street Station. The undergraduate student exhibition showcases a host of imaginative station designs of the future, particularly focussing on solving the problem of platform crowding. The project challenged students to create a design that would encourage passengers to use the ends of station platforms, with little or no change to the existing station building.

ACCIDENTS

MBTA unveils zero-tolerance phone policy

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus and rail operators caught using mobile phones and text messaging devices on duty will be immediately suspended for 30 days and recommended for firing under a new policy unveiled in the wake of last week’s Green Line crash in Boston, which injured 50 people. Operators caught even carrying a mobile phone will be suspended for 10 days for the first offence and fired for the second. MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas acknowledged that some employees will find it difficult to make personal calls on their breaks. "A moment's convenience is not worth jeopardising the safety of our passengers," Mr Grabauskas said.