No embargo - 20 March 2008
Australia’s railway engineers have welcomed the commitment of the New South Wales Government to invest in a modern metro-style rail link for Sydney, saying the plan has the potential provide a sustainable solution to some of Sydney’s growing transport needs.
The professional body representing railway engineers, the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) - a division of Engineer’s Australia - says the proposed $12 billion plus Metro, that will link the developing suburbs of the North West and the Sydney CBD, echoes the vision shown during the Bradfield era of the 1920s when much of the current suburban electric railway network took shape.
However, the Society says that careful attention will be needed when integrating the new system with existing rail and bus networks.
Chair of the RTSA NSW Chapter, Andrew Honan said, “This new railway will lay the foundations for the next generation of public transport, responding to the emerging challenges of congestion, climate change and liveability, as they affect Sydney.
“In the larger cities of North America, Asia, Europe and South America, metros are a mode of choice, carrying vast numbers of commuters. New rail technologies have higher levels of productivity and energy efficiency than the existing rail system, delivering higher levels of customer performance.”
Mr Honan said, “The RTSA has long been aware of the need for alternative public transport technologies to provide sustainable transport solutions for Sydney’s growing population.
“Prior to this announcement, the RTSA had already begun planning for a major symposium to be held in Sydney in November 2008 with the aim of building industry and community awareness of the benefits of improved rail technologies.
“We are looking forward to bringing Metro practitioners to Sydney to raise awareness of this important rail technology.”
The symposium will hear from speakers on the latest in Metro rail developments and the part that these can play in reshaping Sydney into becoming a more liveable and accessible city. One of the key issues to be addressed at the symposium will be the smooth integration of any new rail system with existing rail and local bus services.
“Better integration of transport systems builds greater network resilience, providing valuable services at interchanges and an improved range of travel routing options. The RTSA believes that Integration of local transport and community services should involve higher levels of collaboration between State and local governments,” Mr Honan said.
