The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is the peak body for the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand.
WELCOME FROM THE CEO While 2021 was a challenging year for many, the industry forged ahead providing essential services and progressing key projects during the year.
Our 2021 report on The Australian Rail Supply Chain helped articulate some of the key areas of action required to move the industry forward.
The ARA worked hard to support this, releasing new research, embarking on new programs and initiatives, and hosting a range of member briefings to support the industry’s response to the pandemic.
The ARA has wasted no time in addressing these areas, launching our Rail Supply Chain Blueprint in the same year to set out a three-year program of work to support these ambitions.
Despite the challenges of the year, there remains significant momentum in the industry as we prepare for $155 billion in rail investment over the next 15 years.
We have continued to work with industry to support a return to rail as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
While the scale of the work that is to come represents a huge opportunity, it also highlights the need to address key challenges faced by the industry to make sure we can maximise the benefits of this once in a generation period of investment.
While the long lockdowns of Sydney and Melbourne understandably saw rail passenger numbers fall sharply, it will be critical to welcome people back to rail as we return to a more normal way of life. Work to support this go underway in 2021 and will continue in 2022 to support industry’s efforts to encourage greater use of safe, accessible and convenient public transport options. This will be particularly critical given the need to take more cars off the road and relieve city congestion to support future growth. The launch of our Rail Freight Action Plan was also a highlight in 2021 and will be the focus for a significant program of work in 2022.
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THE AUSTRALASIAN RAIL DIRECTORY 2022
