MEDIA STATEMENT

Helen Haines MP has welcomed news that the 80-kilometre per hour speed restriction on the North East Rail line is scheduled to be lifted on June 3.

The Independent Federal Member for Indi said Australian Rail Track Corporation advised on April 3 that the rail safety regulator had lifted the restriction for freight trains.

But the regulator required more consultation with passenger service operators before removing the reduced speed limit, put in place since following a fatal train derailment at Wallan on February 20.

Dr Haines said ARTC informed her today of the decision to lift the passenger train speed limit.

“Passengers will be welcome shorter travel times between Albury and Southern Cross but works on the line upgrade are continuing with level crossing renewal works at Wangaratta, Springhurst, Chiltern and Barnawartha this long weekend,” she said.

“The $235m investment to fix the track is on-going.

“I have called on the Deputy Prime Minister in Parliament to guarantee that once the track has been fixed, sufficient funding will be allocated to maintain the track to the agreed passenger standard”.

[Jun 2, 2020]