"We want faster trains" - APTNSW to RailCorp
In our submission to RailCorp on its 2010 to 2015 Corporate Plan we have suggested RailCorp is deliberately ignoring the need for faster trains-

In the Sydney press of 19 May 2010, RailCorp invited comment on its 2010 - 2015 Corporate Plan. We are pleased to respond to that invitation.

Conspicuous by its absence in the Plan is any reference to faster train services.

The slowing of CityRail train services circa 2005 is widely discussed amongst train passengers. They sit in stationary trains for extended periods at minor stations, or dawdle between stations, simply to adhere to the timetable. RailCorp has spent millions of dollars provided by passengers and taxpayers in strengthening track, and otherwise upgrading CityRail infrastructure, yet there has been no commensurate increase in service speeds. Rather, the slowing of services over many decades has been well documented.

Credible rail safety experts and former rail managers, among others, have decried RailCorp's defence in quoting the findings of the "Waterfall" inquiry; that it was necessary to reduce train speeds in the name of safety. The Inquiry Commissioner himself has been quoted as saying that he did not find that train speeds needed to be reduced in order to maintain safety.

The RailCorp Corporate Plan variously cites policies aimed at:
<ul>
<li>Increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the network through better.....work practices
<li>improv(ing) productivity of our systems and our assets
<li>meet(ing) or exceed(ing) our customers' expectations
<li>comparing our performance with best-in-class railway operators
<li>maintain(ing) operational efficiency.
</ul>

Each of these aims could be advanced by faster trains. Some might argue that none of them can be adequately met without faster trains.

Then, on page 15, we have - "fast information. fast ticket sales, fast complaints handling" - but nothing about faster trains.

Here is just one statement in support of our position. It is Recommendation ST 5 from the Independent Public Inquiry, Long-Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney, Final Report, 26 May 2010 (p 45) -

"Rail journey times should be restored to those prevailing before 2005 within one or two years at most, and further continuous improvements should be identified in the Public Transport Network Plan for Sydney and implemented in the following years".

We suggest the time has come for RailCorp to deal with the issue of faster trains, especially on off-peak services. It is not going to go away.