The Federal Government has identified the Mandurah-Perth rail corridor for faster passenger trains.
The Faster Rail Prospectus has been launched to start the process of bidding to build faster rail services.
The Federal Government is calling for the development of business cases to create faster rail services on urban and regional train lines across the country.
Trains on the Perth-Mandurah line travel at an average speed of 80km/h but according to the government's prospectus, “If existing rail lines can be upgraded, speeds of up to 100 and 160 km/h are potentially achievable depending on the location and the extent of the upgrade”.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said for the many commuters in regional and outer urban areas, faster rail has the potential to have a significant impact on their quality of life by allowing them to spend more time at home, and less time travelling.
“Business cases must outline initiatives that will increase housing choices by opening up regional areas, encourage job and career opportunities, and improve access to specialist services for people in regional areas, as well as major events."
The announcement follows a $20 million commitment by the Turnbull Government to investigate Faster Rail options in the 2017–18 Budget.
For more information on the prospectus, visit infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail
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