Events, Informa Insights

Counting down to AusRAIL PLUS

There are barely four days to go before the start of AusRAIL PLUS, the largest rail rail industry event in the southern hemisphere.

Hosted by the Australasian Railway Association and organised by Informa Connect, the conference brings together all facets of the rail industry under the one roof over three days, incorporating an expansive conference program combined with an extensive trade exhibition.

To be held in Sydney from 28 February – 2 March, it is the rail industry’s first opportunity in two years to come together after COVID-enforced lockdowns.

The three-day proceedings kick off with a Plenary Keynote from renowned economic commentator Saul Eslake, who will provide an economic overview and provide a forecast of the future trends impacting industry. 

Keynote presentations will be made by Alstom managing director Mark Coxon and Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering. 

A number of industry panels will follow, facilitated by ARA chief executive Caroline Wilkie, and there will be sessions focussing on passenger rail, asset management, rail freight and heavy haul, track (RTAA), and signalling (IRSE). 

Some planned streams include Keolis Downer speaking on delivering customer-focused train services in Adelaide; Metro Trains Melbourne shining the spotlight on how it is managing trespassers on Melbourne’s rail network; and consultants WSP discussing how best practices from Switzerland could apply to Australia. 

And that’s just Day One. 

Consequent proceedings will include presentations by the likes of Queensland Rail, Rail Projects Victoria, Infrastructure Australia and the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board. 

On the third day, global transport leader Arup will provide an international keynote address on how rail can pivot to drive COVID recovery and a transition to net zero. 

An industry panel will discuss how meaningful diversity can be addressed in the rail sector, and the day will culminate in the popular Young Rail Professionals Pitching Competition, in which the ideas of finalists will be showcased and a winner named. 

 All this and much, much more can be found in the program, available now from this site. 

Also do not forget the security measures for the event. They can be viewed here:

Security measures for AusRAIL PLUS