Re: Future of Queensland Rail looks bleak, says Beattie

[Greg Rudd <grudd@mail.usyd.edu.au>]

Maurie Daly wrote:

> In article <9X1p5.124$QQ5.7988@news0.optus.net.au> dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage) writes:
> >From: dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)
> >Subject: Re: Future of Queensland Rail looks bleak, says Beattie
> >Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 04:57:41 GMT
>
> >Colin Weaver (colingw@my-deja.com) wrote:
> >> What an amazing double standard!  When FreightCorp, owned by the NSW
> >> Government, tenders for QLD and SA coal haulage that is permitted,
>
> >Don't you think it's ironic that the 82s now hauling coal in SA were made
> >in Fahey's electorate?
>
> >Cheers
> >David
>
> Im sorry, just what is the double standard.
> There is nothing to stop Queensland Rail from entering the interstate freight
> business right now.
> They dont need to buy NRC to do it, indeed since NRCs creation ,there has
> existed open access regimes thru out Australia which allows any other operator
> to run trains on the interstate rail network.
> They (QR)  have simply chosen not to do it.
> Why the interest now.
>
> The major reason for banning other Government Railways from bidding for NRC ,
> and indeed for Westrail,is that the owners want someone with a proven track
> record of operating a railway in a competetive market environment,something
> that State owned Railways have no expertise in whatsoever.
>

All the state owned railways have experience in operating in a competitive market environment. i.e.
competing against road transport!  How successful they have been at this is another matter, due to inept
management and work practices.