The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Rail Innovation has welcomed the High Speed Rail stage one report released last week by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese regarding the implementation of High Speed Rail (HSR) on the east coast of Australia.
In January 2010, the CRC for Rail Innovation released a High Speed Rail pre-feasibility research report entitled, ‘High-speed Rail: Strategic Information for the Australian Context’ which concluded that it is the right time to seriously investigate and progress High Speed Rail in Australia.
David George, CEO of the CRC for Rail Innovation said the CRC for Rail Innovation was ‘pleased to see the Government adopt the recommendations outlined in its report’ by progressing its $20m implementation study.
“The CRC report indicated that factors such as constrained airport capacity, a rising and increasingly urbanised population, maturing technologies and an increased focus on reducing transport emissions all support seriously investigating and progressing High Speed Rail in Australia now,” he said.
High Speed Rail projects have had a transformational and nation building impact on those countries investing in them, by linking cities more closely and acting as a catalyst for regional and national integration.
“At the current time, High Speed Rail is being constructed and actively planned throughout the world, including in the USA, UK, Argentina, Poland, Morocco, Turkey, Iran, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and India,” continued Mr George.
“By 2025, 37,500km of High Speed Rail lines will operate globally. Our research has shown that Australia would benefit from a High Speed Rail system linking cities on the east coast of our nation.”
Fine, so long as they don’t contract the Chinese to build it!