Rail operator Aurizon says improved operating hours, more trains to and from the Port Botany and later cut off times for outbound services are just a few of the benefits customers can expect when it opens its new Enfield intermodal terminal next month.
Aurizon is eyeing an opening date of May 9 for the Enfield terminal, which connects to Port Botany via a dedicated, 18 kilometre freight line.
The Queensland-based operator is relocating its NSW intermodal business from Yennora to the new site, and expects the customer benefits of the new facility to lead to growth in the business.
On top of port rail access, the Enfield site has direct access to the interstate mainline corridor, and sits in close proximity to the M4 and M5 motorways.
Warehousing and buildings with vacant land for the development of rail related warehousing, freight forwarding, import-export (IMEX), transport and distribution facilities are also available on site.
Aurizon says customers will get better operating hours, later terminal cut off times for outbound services, earlier freight availability times for movements into Sydney, and a reduction of up to 24 hours in transit times for container movements to and from many locations around the country.
Three services will run between the terminal and Perth each week.
The move will also mean an additional service will run from Melbourne to Sydney on Friday, with freight available in Sydney on Saturday by 0930.
“At Enfield in Western Sydney we are creating a new Aurizon intermodal hub with greater competitiveness, productivity and safety,” Aurizon’s executive vice president of Commercial & Marketing Mauro Neves said.
“The site supports longer trains, improved scheduling and cycle times, and less train shunting.
“It means faster transit time on the Melbourne, Brisbane and North Queensland corridors and gives us an opportunity to target increased volumes for both north-south and east-west interstate operations.
“This move is a genuine investment in our customers and signals to the intermodal market that Aurizon is in this business for the long haul and is in growth mode.”
Aurizon says it will provide additional information on the commencement of port shuttles at a later stage.
The terminal will be open from 5am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and from 5am to 4pm on Saturdays.
It’ll be interesting to see if they are direct services to Perth or if they goes via existing services via Melbourne & Adelaide.