Truss throws down gauntlet to rail operators and states

<p>The federal minister for transport and regional services, Warren Truss, challenged states and rail operators this morning (Wednesday, July 19) to match the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the competitiveness of the rail industry.</p> <p>To rail operators, his message was plain: &#8220The Government is looking to rail operators to deliver the other part of the rail efficiency equation by making the necessary investment in train operations and intermodal facilities to improve productivity, reliability and performance.&#8221</p> <p>The pitch to the states, ahead of the Council of Australian Governments meeting was similarly to the point.</p> <p>"The Australian Government is revitalising rail with a massive $2.4bn investment program and with regulatory and access reform, which will ultimately help develop a competitive and sustainable future rail network for passengers and freight,&#8221 Mr Truss said.</p> <p>"We also expect to receive a matching commitment from the states and industry in achieving this shared objective to ensure that rail plays a key role in meeting the future national freight task that which will be required to underpin economic growth in Australia."</p> <p>Mr Truss was delivering the keynote address at the Australian Rail Summit in Sydney.</p> <p>Mr Truss urged Pacific National to settle its commitment to Tasmania.</p> <p>&#8220While I recognise there may have been some distracting factors in the past, I would hope that Pacific National will now be in a position to commit to the future of Tasmanian services, so much needed works can commence and a better quality of rail service be provided to freight customers in Tasmania,&#8221 he said.</p> <p>Mr Truss said he recognised the disappointment that met the Federal Government’s decision not to accept the National Transport Commission advice to raise the road user charge this year but, &#8220at this time the Australian Government wants to be better informed by the work of the Productivity Commission before it considers any major changes to current arrangements&#8221.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the minister for local government, territories and roads, Jim Lloyd, said today that Canberra would provide 50% of the shared $55m initial costs associated with the new Perth-Bunbury Highway ahead of construction starting later this year.</p> <br />