PN Tasmanian sale still to go ahead

<p>Asciano has rejected claims it was reconsidering the sale of its Tasmanian rail assets, saying the bidding process for the Pacific National business was still underway.</p> <p>&#8220Our priority and continued preference is to sell the entire Pacific National Tasmania business as a going concern,&#8221 Asciano said in a written response.</p> <p>&#8220We are continuing to operate the business as usual, providing freight rail services to our customers.</p> <p>&#8220The sales process must be allowed to take its natural course &#8211 Asciano will continue to provide information regarding any developments regarding this process at the relevant time.&#8221</p> <p>The <em>Hobart Mercury</em> reported yesterday that Asciano had shelved its controversial sale.</p> <p>The state’s Greens party recently touted Florida-based, short-haul train operator Patriot Rail Corporation as a possible bidder for the assets, a leak that infuriated the Government.</p> <p>It was reported the US company had offered Asciano $25m.</p> <br />