East-west rail books record volumes

<p>Record freight volumes were booked on the east-west rail corridor for the months of August and September, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) reported. </p> <p>Over 3.2bn gross tonne kilometres (GTK) were carried in both months over the ARTC rail network linking the eastern states with Western Australia. </p> <p>The previous record high was in October 2005, when 3.181bn GTK were moved east-west.</p> <p>ARTC chief executive David Marchant said yesterday (Thursday, Octobeer 12) that rail had maintained an 80% share of the land freight market on the east-west trade for the last five years.</p> <p>&#8220October is usually the busiest month of the year on the interstate rail network as we see retailers start to build up their pre-Christmas inventory,&#8221 he said. </p> <p>&#8220This year, we are already seeing record levels achieved in advance of the traditional October peak.&#8221</p> <p>Mr Marchant said it was not possible to pinpoint what was driving the growth, but suggested a robust economy, the high price of diesel forcing a switch from road to rail, and changes in coastal shipping patterns were possible influencing factors. </p> <br />