Released 01/08/2018
Canberrans could be able to travel to Sydney via a faster train service after the ACT Government committed $5 million in matched funding for the development of a detailed business case to prioritise upgrades to the current service.
This announcement follows the commitment from NSW Labor leader Luke Foley that a NSW Labor Government would work with the ACT Government on the project and provide $5 million towards the business case.
We know that Canberrans would use a faster train service. In a recent Government survey, 57% of respondents said they would be more likely to travel via train between Canberra and Sydney if the travel time was between 2-3 hours.
Despite the fact that only a very small part of the current rail line is in the territory, we recognise the benefits of a faster service to Canberrans and we want to work with the NSW Government to make it happen.
The NSW Government and the ACT Government recently made a joint submission to the Federal Government’s National Rail Program. While the Federal Government choose not to support the Canberra region in this bid, the ACT Government is willing to look at alternative ways to get this project off the ground.
I thank Luke Foley for his leadership in making this important announcement, recognising the significant growth in the Canberra region and the importance of the relationship between the NSW and ACT Government in delivering mutually beneficial infrastructure projects.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
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