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Canberra Today 25°/29° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

You need light rail, says railway boss

LIGHT rail is now on every state and territory’s agenda other than the ACT according to the Australasian Railway Association CEO Bryan Nye, after Darwin’s Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim voiced her support for light rail in the NT.

According to the ARA, light rail line costs $17 million per kilometre, opposed to what the ACT had costed for 13 km of line at $66 million per kilometre.

“The Northern Territory Mayor’s announcement means every state and territory in Australia except the ACT has seen the light when it comes to light rail,” Mr Nye said.

“One tram line can move 10,000 passengers an hour, while the same space dedicated to road moves only 800 cars or 140 bus services.”

The ACT Government estimates of $600 – $860 million for a light rail line between Gungahlin and Civic clearly favours continuing to only provide bus public transport in the capital city, he said.

“Our local Government should be learning from the experiences in other jurisdictions,” continued Mr Nye.

“Sydney’s bus ways are creating parking lots throughout the city and after ripping up tram lines years ago, the city is now reinvesting in light rail to ease congestion.”

Darwin’s Lord Mayor tweeted her support for re-exploring light rail in Darwin from the 2012 National General Assembly in Canberra yesterday.

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