Re: Private investment in permanent way

["Ben Staples" <BenKim@bigpond.com>]

I have to admit, I am a little dubious about private ownership of track
infrastructure, if it is to be open access. Giving private enterprise a
Monopoly is never a good thing. Look at the UK experience, where RailTrack's
(I think that's right) only aim in life is to squeeze the most money out of
operators without annoying the rail regulator too much. I'd like to see the
RTA with the same goal, the roads would be shocking.

What's wrong with modelling the rail system the same way roads are handled.
State owned roads, Federal government gives them money for Federal Highways,
and RONI's. All regulations are standardised Australia wide.

Ben Staples

Tell wrote in message <35d8bc4c.8508795@news.ozemail.com.au>...
>"Barry Campbell" <campblbm@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>>The Financial Review of Monday 22/7/98 had a report about forthcoming ads
>>calling for private sector participation in rail upgrading projects. The
>>next step, of course, is part or full privatisation of the track.
>>What's the bet. Ultimately NR, V/line (trains and track), Westrail (also
>>trains and track) and the track owner from Kal to BH & the Victorian
border
>>will be in private hands and after a few years mergers will result in one
>>big interstate operator owning the lot. With luck we may get a semi
national
>>system yet.
>
>
>Let us hope so Barry, it is the only alternative now.
>
>There is no hope of a Federal Government department
>ever "owning" all the national network.
>The only danger I see is one BIG private owner with all
>the track, still things really could not get worse than
>they are at the moment.  If the majority of track were
>owned by a private operator who has no direct interest
>in owning and operating trains, it might just work
>fine, because all train operators should get a fair go.
>
>
>Cheers
>----Terry Burton
>Alice Springs NT
>