Re: Alice Springs to Darwin line, but wait, there is more.!

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <37fc7afe@dnews.tpgi.com.au> "Richo" <richardc@tpg.com.au> writes:
>From: "Richo" <richardc@tpg.com.au>
>Subject: Re: Alice Springs to Darwin line, but wait, there is more.!
>Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:55:07 +1000

>Why make it that hard - most of the real culprits are driving in competition
>with rail on freeways between major cities. Tolling systems despite the
>technical probs in Melbourne, aren;t such a bad idea. IIRC the abandoned
>motorway proposal from Sydney to Brisbane wanted $100 toll for cars, and
>some significantly greater figure for trucks. At those sort of prices (and
>doing nothing about rail) people would start considering rail more.

>I'm not convinced that all this playing field leveling will actually achieve
>a lot - just better to take the QR and AN approach - invest in appropriate
>infrastructure and market share will soon follow. Of course these operations
>were/are vertically integrated.


Yes your dead right, fixing the infrastructure by itself doesnt fix anything 
as it wont alter the outrages charges imposed for using the infrastructure.
Indeed if one was a real cynic you could easily see State administrations 
increasing rail access charges on the basis of as the track is now improved 
users should pay more.
The horizontal access regine can work if 
1/ There is a single access regime which is publicly accountable.
2/ The access regime doesnt itself have any interest whatsoever in running 
trains.
3/ The access charges are set by an independant arbitrator.
4/ There is a minimum but guarenteed level of funding for the National Track
(after we define what that is ) similar to the funding regime for the National
Highway program.

Unfortunately ,there is more chance of me being elected as the new president
of Australia than any of the above happening.

cheers
MD