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Freight operations have been in demand to provide essential goods across Australia.
Freight operators and network owners around Australia continue to serve businesses and communities. CEO of government-owned TasRail, Steven Dietrich, reminded Tasmanians on April 6 that the state’s freight rail owner and operator is continuing to provide rail-based freight services across the 611 kilometres of operational network. In the statement, Dietrich noted that like other operators, hygiene and cleaning practices have been stepped up in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). “To keep our teams healthy we have been working hard to implement best-practice hygiene and physical distancing measures at our sites around the state, protecting essential frontline staff, and coordinating working from home and split-shift operations where possible.” As federal and state transport ministers have reaffirmed that rail freight is an essential service, Dietrich reminded the community that trains will be continuing to operate and that people should remain safe around the rail corridor, which includes over 500 level crossings around the state. “Working together we will keep the critical freight services operating and continue to provide Tasmanians with the goods they require access to at this time.” In a written statement, CEO and managing director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation John Fullerton also noted that rail freight
6 | ISSUE 5 2020 | RAIL EXPRESS
CREDIT: RAILGALLERY.COM.AU
Freight continues to provide an essential service during COVID-19 shutdown
would continue, and the network owner would be providing a safe network and progressing major projects in NSW, Victoria, and South Australia, as well as the Inland Rail project. “While it is positive the freight and logistics industry and the works supporting these sectors have been recognised as essential services, we also recognise that in our continued operations we have a significant responsibility to the ongoing health and safety of our people as well as the communities in which we operate. This includes a range of preventative actions to minimise risk, adjustments to existing work practices and to actively plan for the health and people effects of COVID-19,” wrote Fullerton. Many ARTC staff are working from home and those on-site are following guidance and social distancing and hygiene. Additionally, travel is being limited, and work is being carried out by locally based employees and contractors. Fullerton highlighted that demand for predictable and reliable freight deliveries is critical. “The ARTC team remains committed to ensuring that the rail network is managed and maintained safely, and the major projects the economy needs are delivered successfully. That remains our focus and commitment to our customers, stakeholders and the community, he said. “The COVID-19 outbreak has sparked an unprecedented challenge for Australia’s freight and transport industry, with the country’s
demand for critical supplies prompting a surge in rail freight,” said Fullerton. “The rail freight sector has stepped up to ease Australia’s strained supply lines.” One company stepping up to service this demand is Pacific National, which has increased key interstate freight services by up to 15 per cent to meet consumer demand. According to Pacific National CEO, Dean Dalla Valle, extra services have between all mainland state capitals. “For example, in terms of goods trains operating back and forth across the Nullarbor between Melbourne and Perth, we have lifted the number of services by 15 per cent in the last two weeks,” he said. “Similarly, to meet customer requirements, Pacific National had increased rail freight services between Melbourne and Brisbane by 8 per cent.” Pacific National has also been looking to streamline operations due to the unpredictability of current conditions. “A zeal for constant innovation and a laserfocus on customer needs, both in frontline operations and the corporate centre, is vital,” said Dalla Valle. “In these rapidly changing times, management and frontline staff must explore every operational and commercial angle to maintain an edge in the marketplace.” To accommodate the increase in services, operating hours at freight terminals have been extended, consolidated assembly and staging of goods trains at Port Augusta, in South Australia. “Port Augusta is at a key crossroad in the national supply chain, acting as an ideal launch pad location to provide high capacity rail freight services to every corner of the continent.” Each of the 40 rail services that Pacific National have been operating back and forth across the Nullarbor have ensured that Western Australia remains connected to the rest of the nation, with 60 per cent of goods arriving in the state carried by rail. Rail freight services have been particularly key during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown as they operate on separate corridors, reducing the potential for contagion. “The health and safety of our train crews are paramount, and I’m immensely proud of their ongoing efforts and dedication,” said Dalla Valle, who noted that hygiene and social distancing procedures are strictly adhered to.
