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Financial turnaround strategies and future investment spending are being addressed as part of the 25th annual Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), being held in Canberra today.
Top researchers from Australia and New Zealand's transport sector have gathered to debate and discuss issues facing the transport industry.
Dr Fred Affleck, of Affleck Consulting presented his findings on the financial turnaround of the National Rail Corporation Ltd between 1992 and 2002.
"The major strategies for achieving financial turnaround for the organisation were to improve service efficiency and reduce costs by lifting the quality of assets in the business, to develop IT systems for managing freight and equipment movements, and to reduce overheads in all areas," Dr Affleck said.
"In addition, National Rail were able to attract business in new markets by offering innovative services and using open access regimes to leverage market share growth on regional rail networks.
"Interestingly, although the open access regime delayed profitability, it made National Rail's financial turnaround more robust for future conditions. The investment in National Rail by Australian governments a decade ago has now paid off very well for taxpayers and transport users."
Dr Ken Ogden from the Royal Automotive Club of Victoria (RACV) and Mr Marzi De Santi from the National Roads and Motorists Association Ltd (NRMA) presented a paper outlining policy issues which need to be addressed in any consideration of orbital motorways in Australia.
The paper pointed out that no Australian city had a completed orbital motorway, which are commonplace in North America and Europe.
"Over the next few years both Sydney and Melbourne will have completed orbital motorways in place," the authors said.
The paper argues that the expected benefits of orbital motorways in Australia included economic development, increased mobility of people and freight, increased road safety, and more orderly land use planning.
"The paper outlines the policy settings which are necessary to ensure these benefits are delivered. It is critical that orbital motorways are developed as part of an integrated transport system and that the key driver is maximising benefits for communities and road users," Mr De Santi said.
Tony Slatyer, Executive Director of the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics, the host of this year's ATRF, said the Forum was a great opportunity to discuss experiences and recent findings from industry experts.
"This is an invaluable exercise for researchers and decision makers alike. We aim to contribute to a more efficient and effective Australian transport industry," Mr Slayter said.
More than 50 papers will be presented at the 25th ATRF in the exchange and development of solutions to issues facing the transport industry in Australia and neighbouring regions. The forum will be held from 2 to 4 October 2002.
The BTRE operates within the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services, undertaking applied economic research on current and emerging issues facing the transport sector.
For more information about the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) please visit www.btre.gov.au
Media contact: Anna Tannock ph: 6274 6843
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