The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is set to welcome 1100 people from across Australia and New Zealand today as AusRAIL Live & On Demand kicks off online.
ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said this year’s event would feature insights from global industry leaders as they responded to COVID-19 and planned for the rail industry’s growth in 2021 and beyond.
“This has been a year we just didn’t see coming, and the rail industry has been a critical part of keeping the nation moving through it all,” Ms Wilkie said.
“We are looking forward to bringing the industry together to discuss the innovation, new ways of working and huge amount of development that has unfolded over the year.”
AusRAIL moved to an online format for 2020, allowing for an expanded three-day program featuring a host of international speakers, including:
- LA Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank
- Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild
- Transport for London Commissioner Andy Byford
- MTR Corporation Chief Executive, Australian Business Terry Wong
- SYSTRA Project Director, Grand Paris Express Nicolas Massart
Australian and New Zealand industry leaders overseeing public transport services, freight operations and manufacturing and supply will also form part of the program.
Updates on mega projects including Inland Rail, Sydney Metro, METRONET and Cross River Rail will be discussed.
Ms Wilkie said the conference was timely given infrastructure would play such an important role in the nation’s recovery.
“Our research has confirmed that rail is a growing and significant contributor to the economy, with the industry welcoming 20,000 new workers in the three years to 2019,” she said.
“There is a great opportunity before us now to make the most of the current focus on infrastructure to create jobs and develop sustainable infrastructure that will connect our communities long into the future.
“AusRAIL brings together the rail industry to discuss how to make the best use of this moment to support the economy and the communities we serve.”
The program includes discussion on issues that will influence the future of rail, with content focused on efficiency, customer focus, sustainability and technology and innovation across 15 specialist streams.
AusRAIL Live & On Demand takes place online from 1-3 December. View the program here.
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