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
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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