Taking the train to post pandemic growth
New research has confirmed immediate investment is needed to speed our rail networks as more people consider a move to the regions after COVID-19.
A survey of 600 regional and metropolitan residents across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland commissioned by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) found faster rail connections would make people more likely to consider a move to the regions after COVID-19 as work patterns changed.
With three quarters (77 per cent) of respondents expecting at least some of the changes to their work as a result of COVID-19 to be permanent, a quarter of city residents surveyed (26 per cent) were likely to consider a move to the regions, and faster rail would increase their likelihood of making the move.
ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the survey findings were released to coincide with the launch of the ARA Faster Rail Report, prepared by Arup.
“With an additional 10 million people expected to move to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane by 2060, faster rail will be essential to support urban renewal in key regional centres,” Ms Wilkie said.
“Highways in and out of Sydney are already reaching capacity, which means we must invest now in faster rail to support the east coast’s sustainable development.
“Immediate investment in existing networks would improve the speed, reliability and frequency of regional rail services into the city as we plan for fast rail connections over the next decade.”