AusRAIL

Rail gets reform body

<p>Australia’s transport ministers have agreed to establish a regulatory reform commission that deals with both road and rail.</p> <p>At a meeting last week, the ministers voted to replace the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) with a national transport commission.</p> <p>The new commission will continue working to improve road transport but will also extend its reform work to rail and intermodal operations.</p> <p>In particular, the ministers want the national transport commission to improve national rail safety uniformity, achieve a more effective mutual recognition regime and help manage risk factors such as fatigue.</p> <p>The new commission is not expected to be established for at least 12 months or more.</p> <p>Ministers also endorsed the introduction of new performance targets for the interstate network once New South Wales has settled its leasing negotiations with the Australian Rail Track Corporation.</p> <br />