Rail Report's Half Solution

Newcastle Herald

Monday June 9, 2008

LEADER

DEBATES about public transport often follow a familiar circle.

Some want lower fares to encourage more patrons, arguing that this will lift total revenue and allow investment in better services to attract more passengers.

Others demand better cost recovery up-front, insisting that services ought to be more self-sufficient and that passengers should not be too heavily subsidised from the public purse.

The latest report by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) into NSW rail services appears largely in line with the second philosophy.

Released in the middle of wage negotiations between the Government and rail employees, the report compares the NSW rail service with similar operations elsewhere and concludes that CityRail is massively overstaffed and inefficient.

The Government, says IPART, can save $480 million a year by 2011 without affecting services. It can do this by sacking more than 1000 train guards, converting hundreds of stations to unmanned operation, wiping out hundreds of management jobs and cranking up fares by up to 30 per cent.

What isn't clear from the report is how all these savings and cuts might improve the state's passenger rail service.

Some may think the strategy could have the opposite effect. Will removing staff from less-busy stations dissuade passengers by reducing perceptions of safety, for example? Sharply raising fares must have an impact on passenger numbers. And many people with experience of fully automated ticketing systems might wonder whether new equipment will be any more user-friendly, reliable or vandal-resistant than previous versions.

Year after year figures show the rail services are unreliable, dirty, overcrowded, chronically late and prone to cancellation without warning or explanation. Persistent lateness is the reason former Premier Bob Carr froze fares, but despite some cynical timetable tweaks the services have become no more punctual.

IPART's report may be correct, as far as it goes, but without suggestions for improving services it offers only half a solution to the state's rail woes.

The Queen's list

IT'S fitting that an avowed monarchist such as former Prime Minister John Howard should be honoured in this year's Queen's Birthday list. The long-serving PM appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia has been rewarded for services to the nation in the same list that honours his longtime chief of staff, Arthur Sinodinos. The choice of other recipients, such as Woolworths chief Roger Corbett, union boss Bill Kelty, cricketer Justin Langer and media mogul Kerry Stokes, gives the flavour of this year's awards.

As always, a selection of hard-working and respected Hunter people are honoured in the list. It is pleasing to see recognition for these often unsung heroes of community life, though in many cases one suspects their greatest pleasure is derived from their own knowledge of the good and selfless things they have done for their fellow citizens.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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