In a front page story the Alice Springs News has
reported that local Road Transport Operators have
served a broadside at the uncertainty of the proposed
Alice to Darwin Railway. Some Alice Springs Road Train
Operators have expressed cynicism at the Political
promises of the Alice to Darwin Rail Link.
Mr Dean McBride of McBride Transport and an executive
member of the NT Road Transport Association, says even
if the line is built, many customers will continue to
use road transport. He said "Even if the Rail is heaps
cheaper, Road is more reliable." He further stated
that "No one in private enterprise is stupid enough to
back a loser, and John Howard is too smart to put money
in it."
Mr McBride believes the Rail proposal and imminent
State elections in South Australia are delaying the
decision to allow Double Road Trains into Wingfield
near Adelaide, although passing lanes and dual highways
are now in place all the way. At present the second
trailer must be disconnected from the Road Train at
Lochiel some 120 Kms North of Adelaide.
Another Local Transport manager says that 60 per cent
of freight to Alice Springs comes by Rail, but there
has been a steady trend back to Road in the past two
years.
END QUOTES.
The news item did not mention the fact that the third
Trailer is disconnected at Port Augusta some 300 Kms
from Adelaide. If double Road Trains (not to be
confused with B-Doubles) are allowed out of Adelaide
then the "National" Rail scene has yet another factor
to contend with.
Will WA relax their regulations on Road Trains coming
in from the East.?
But .....then again WA were "smart" enough NOT to sign
away their "Interstate" System to NRC.!
Wingfield, for those that are unaware of its location
is right next to NRC's Adelaide Freight Terminal.
Cheers
----Tell
Alice Springs NT