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Progress in rail reform

Inquiry report

Released 13 / 04 / 2000

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  • Contents

Preliminaries
Cover, Copyright, Contents, Abbreviations, Glossary, Terms of reference, Overview, Recommendations

1 Introduction
1.1 This inquiry
1.2 Other inquiries and reports
1.3 This report

2 Railways in Australia
2.1 Rail transport in Australia
2.2 Railway characteristics

3 Rail reform in Australia
3.1 The 1991 inquiry
3.2 Factors driving reform in the 1990s
3.3 Reform initiatives
3.4 Problems identified in 1999

4 Performance of rail
4.1 The Commission's approach
4.2 Productivity performance since 1990
4.3 Stakeholder outcomes since 1990
4.4 Summary of performance

5 The Commission's approach
5.1 Objectives of reform
5.2 Areas of potential reform
5.3 Railway networks
5.4 Subsequent chapters

6 Structural reform
6.1 Structure of rail authorities
6.2 Why consider structural separation?
6.3 The costs of structural separation
6.4 Which structures are appropriate?
6.5 Conclusion

7 Public and private participation
7.1 Objectives and the role of government
7.2 Public/private sector models
7.3 Taxation issues

8 Access to rail infrastructure services
8.1 Australian access regimes
8.2 Regulating access in rail markets
8.3 Costs of access
8.4 Pricing and allocating train schedules
8.5 Costing methodology
8.6 Complexity of operating on the interstate network

9 Safety regulation and operating procedures and standards
9.1 Safety regulation
9.2 Operating procedures and standards
9.3 Codes of practice
9.4 Advancing regulatory reform

10 Competitive neutrality
10.1 Competitive neutrality between rail operators
10.2 Competitive neutrality across rail and road transport
10.3 Planning and investment in land transport

11 Social dimensions
11.1 Government payments to railways
11.2 Subsidising railways
11.3 Improving the provision of non-commercial rail services
11.4 Employment

12 The way ahead
12.1 The case for continued reform
12.2 Priorities for reform
12.3 Implementation strategy
12.4 The impact of reforms

A Conduct of the inquiry

B Rail network maps

C History of railways in Australia

D Reform initiatives

E International railways

F Australian access regimes

G Safety regulation and operating procedures and standards

H The network manager and investment in the interstate track

I The purchaser-provider framework

J The railway workforce

References