The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has launched new research that highlights the essential role rail will play in meeting economic and community needs over the next 15 years.

The Future of Rail confirmed the need for sustained investment in existing and new rail networks, policy settings to support mode shift and new measures to enable rail to lead the transport sector’s decarbonisation and resilience.

ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the report shows that the value of rail will only grow over the next 15 years.

“Population growth, housing shortages, a changing climate and a growing emphasis on social equity all require a greater focus on rail in the future,” Ms Wilkie said.

“The Future of Rail shows we must plan and invest in rail to support changing community needs and enable transport-led solutions that drive efficiency, productivity and more sustainable outcomes.

“The value of rail has never been clearer, with the report outlining the significant role the industry will play in supporting Australia and New Zealand’s future growth.”

The report provides a series of recommendations to ensure rail can support changing needs over the next 15 years, including a focus on:

• Adopting transport-led development with pace and at scale to meet rising populations and address housing shortages
• Embedding rail into national climate strategies to support transport sector decarbonisation and resilience
• Building capability to ensure the rail industry can meet future needs
• Pricing for purpose by evolving pricing models to maximise rail’s social value

The report was commissioned to inform the ARA’s advocacy to support sustained investment in existing and new rail networks, outlining the key societal, demographic and technological trends that will shape changing transport needs in our cities and towns.

“We know that when rail projects are planned in conjunction with housing and other services, we create safer, more efficient and sustainable communities,” Ms Wilkie said.

“With our cities both increasing density in inner city areas and expanding further on the suburban fringes, we must continue to invest in rail to provide equitable, affordable and convenient access to transport for all people.

“A strong focus on rail will also drive more sustainable outcomes and improve liveability across our communities.”

Ms Wilkie said the report found that Australia would also need to continue building its sovereign rail capability to support future needs.

“We have a huge opportunity with projects like high speed rail to build local capability in both metropolitan and regional areas,” Ms Wilkie said.

“We can achieve a real generational shift if we approach this deliberately and make the most of planned investment to continue building a future-ready workforce.”

The Future of Rail was commissioned by the ARA and delivered by Scyne Advisory.

Scyne Advisory Managing Director, Infrastructure & Property Ross Franklin said the report came at a critical time for the industry.

“The next decade is a decisive window for rail,” Mr Franklin said.

“Nearly half of Australia’s diesel rollingstock is due for replacement by 2037, our cities are growing up and out at the same time, and climate targets are moving from ambition to enforcement, so the decisions made now will shape infrastructure and emissions outcomes well beyond 2040.

“Acting deliberately in this period is how we turn rail’s potential into lasting public value.”

Read the full report here.

ENDS