Victoria sets price rules for third party rail access

<p>The Victorian Government has released new rules to govern pricing principles for third party access to the state’s rail network.</p> <p>The <em>Rail Network Pricing Order</em> sets out the principles that will be used to decide the prices for those wishing to access Victoria’s rail infrastructure.</p> <p>Victorian transport minister Peter Batchelor said the aim was to deliver a "competitive rail access arrangement" that was fair and fostered increased use of the state’s rail network.</p> <p>"The Government has worked closely with stakeholders to develop a fair and equitable system for third party rail operators to gain access to the rail system," Mr Batchelor said.</p> <p>These pricing principles incorporated a revenue cap that set a limit on the revenue that the track operator could earn from providing access to the network, he said.</p> <p>A track operator would also only be entitled to receive a return related to capital expenditure after April 30, 1999.</p> <p>The pricing principles are also structured so that freight services do not incur additional costs directly related to passenger services.</p> <p>The next step is for Victoria’s Essential Services Commission to consult stakeholders, including regional track operator Pacific National, on a methodology for price calculation based on the new pricing order.</p> <p>See http:&#47&#47www.doi.vi c .gov.au&#47freight for a copy of the <em>Rail Network Pricing Order</em> .</p> <br />