16 June 2002
RAIL DELIVERS THE GOODS
Freight carried over the interstate rail network in Victoria, South
Australia and into Western Australia reached a new high during May and
continues to rise at a rate outstripping national economic growth.
Freight traffic moved during May over that part of the interstate rail
network controlled by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) was 8.3%
higher than for the comparable period last year and growth for the year to
date is a healthy 9.5%.
During May 2002, 2.6 billion gross tonne kilometres (GTK) were carried over
the ARTC network, up from 2.4 billion in April and beating the previous
record monthly figure of 2.57 billion GTK in November 2001.
ARTC Managing Director, David Marchant said, "ARTC and Commonwealth
Government investment over the last three years has been directed at
improving transit times and increasing the reliability and capacity of the
ARTC network."
"ARTC has provided the framework to allow train operators to run longer,
heavier and faster trains and the ability to deliver more efficient and cost
effective rail freight services to their clients."
David Marchant continued, "These latest figures clearly demonstrate that
our
strategies for the interstate network are assisting the rail industry in
lifting overall performance."
"The figures also indicate that the economy continues to display healthy
growth and that rail is responding to the challenge of improving its market
share, thereby creating safer roads and providing significant environmental
benefits."
For Further Information Contact: David Marchant on 0419 733 201
Australian Rail Track Corporation
PO Box 10343
Gouger Street SA 5000
T 08 8217 4366
F 08 8217 4578
www.artc.com.au
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