Sydney to benefit from rail network reforms

Individuals planning a Sydney property investment may be encouraged by plans for changes to the RailCorp network. A number of flaws have been identified within the existing system, leading minister for transport Gladys Berejiklian to demand a review into the situation.

"For too long, the travelling public and taxpayers have been let down by an organisation that simply needs to do better. Fares go up and running costs increase but service is not improving at the same rate," she explained.

At present, RailCorp is costing around $3.7 billion a year to stay operational - which equates to around $10 million a day, further highlighting the need to make sure customers are getting a good service, Ms Berejiklian emphasised.

The former chief executive officer of Sydney Ferries, David Callahan, has been tasked with running the reform project. It follows the recent establishment of Transport for NSW, which is an integrated transport authority.

Ms Berejiklian continued: "Transport for NSW ensures policy and planning experts from all transport agencies are now working together in the one organisation, meaning they no longer work in silos."

The reform project will assess how RailCorp is able to get on with the task of offering reliable and efficient transport services for its customers at a time when its costs are on an upward spiral. At present, expenses are increasing at a rate three times higher than the number of passenger journeys.

Particular emphasis is being placed on this project because the rail network "is the backbone of the public transport system in Sydney", highlighted the transport minister.

Additional transport improvements made in Sydney over recent weeks include the launch of a new pass, designed to make travelling on the orbital motorway network easier. Motorists can purchase the electronic motorway user or eMU pass from petrol stations and convenience stores, enabling them to pay tolls on the city's motorways.

More than 300 locations on highways and key routes across the state will be offering the eMU pass, which can even be activated up to 48 hours after travelling along a toll road. BP, Caltex, Shell, United and Mobil are among those who stock the card.

Features include being able to set up an account that enables them to travel on any of the eight toll roads for up to 30 days. Transport NSW believes it will be a great tool for anyone visiting the city for business or leisure.

Posted by Grace Neale