Rail Breaks East West Records


Australian Rail Track Corporation
PO Box 10343
Gouger Street
Adelaide, SA 5001

14 November 2001 MEDIA RELEASE

RAIL BREAKS EAST WEST RECORDS

Rail continues to break records on the strategic land freight corridor linking the Eastern States and Western Australia. During the last six months, rail's market share of the land freight transport task has exceeded an average of 78.5%.

This market share peaked at a record 79.4% during August.
Managing Director of Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), David Marchant said, "The market share of land transport for rail, from the East Coast to the West Coast of Australia, is at its highest level since data was first gathered in 1990." "Not only has the market share reached record levels on the strategic East West transcontinental route, but during October, ARTC recorded its highest ever freight volumes."

"For October 2001, a total of 2.56 billion gross tonne kilometres (GTK) was
hauled by freight trains over the ARTC network, representing growth of 16% since 1998 and the highest volume of freight ever moved over ARTC territory."

"This is a significant achievement for above rail competition and the
quality of the track infrastructure. It is also a great credit to the rail freight operators, National Rail, SCT, Toll, Patrick, ASR, Freight Australia, ATN Access and FreightCorp who operate freight services over the ARTC network.

In addition, passenger rail operator Great Southern Railway
continues to enjoy success with the Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Overland".

For Further Information Contact: David Marchant on 0419 733 201

http://www.artc.com.au


BACKGROUND NOTE

ARTC has responsibility for the management of 3600 route kilometres of the interstate rail network from Albury to Kalgoorlie via Melbourne and Adelaide and from Broken Hill to Crystal Brook.

ARTC provides equitable access for
train operators to this network on a non-discriminatory basis. ARTC's aim is to ensure business and industry are being provided with efficient transport options for the future and that rail remains an essential and sustainable element of the Nation's transport and logistics network.

Over the last three years, an extensive program of infrastructure upgrades
funded by ARTC and the Commonwealth Government combined with more effective management of train operations has resulted in increased reliability and capacity across the ARTC network.

 


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