Decision on the sale of Westrail

[Bob <gioia@fastlink.com.au>]

In a letter sent to all Westrail staff dated 30/7 the new Minister for
Transport Murry Criddle announced to staff the decision of the WA
Government to sell Westrails freight business. He stated that the
Government would retain ownership of the urban and country passenger
services. It is proposed to sell Westrail freight as a complete
operating unit and while there will be a change in ownership he claimed
that for staff and customers it would be "business as usual". The new
owner will be required to honour all existing freight contracts
including the commitment to the WA Grains Logistics Strategic Plan. A
condition of the sale is that the Government will retain ownership of
the existing right of way under tracks and the new owner will hold a
long term lease for land in the rail corridors required for operational
purposes. The sale will also be subject to conditions to guarantee
that there will be no job losses to Westrail staff. He went on to say
that the final structure of the sale is still to be determined and the
Government is to set up a working task force to undertake this task. It
is expected that the sale will be completed in the second quarter of
1999. Anyone interested in buying a railway?
Bob