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Light rail is increasingly being adopted as a key component of effective integrated public transport in many Australasian cities. The recent successful launch of GoldLinQ, Queensland’s first light rail system and Sydney’s Inner West Light Rail Extension, highlight the increasing popularity of the mode, underlined by a growing political will to invest more in light rail. 
The Australasian Railway Association’s Light Rail conference and exhibition, 5-6 March 2015 is a unique opportunity for professionals involved in manufacturing, the planning and delivery of projects and operational executives, to hear cutting-edge case studies and learn from successful projects in Australasia and throughout the world.
Top-notch keynotes on the 2015 program include:
Andy Byford, CEO, Toronto Transit Commission
Suvi Rihtniemi, Executive Director, Helsinki Region Transport
Ian Craig, CEO, Transport for Edinburgh
Brian Brennan, Managing Director, Transdev Ireland
Jeff Goodling, Project Director, Sydney Light Rail, Transport for NSW
Clement Michel, CEO, Yarra Trams
Vivienne King, CEO, KDR Gold Coast
In the lead up to the conference, take a look at the ways in which Light Rail is making news around Australia…
Light rail to throw a curve ball into infrastructure spending in Western Sydney*
The final decision on the Western Sydney light rail network route must be looked at in the context of housing supply, says Urban Taskforce’s CEO Chris Johnson.
The NSW government has narrowed down the options for Western Sydney’s light rail route to four and Johnson says whichever area receives the new infrastructure will see an uptick in supply.
Currently, the four routes under consideration include:
- Macquarie Park (via Carlingford)
- Castle Hill (via Old Northern Road)
- Bankstown
- Sydney Olympic Park (with the potential of reaching Strathfield/Burwood)
The state government hopes that the light rail network will cement Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD and improve connectivity throughout the region.
*Story courtesy of www.propertyobserver.com.au
Business case shows Canberra light rail to deliver $1b in community benefits*
A proposed light rail line connecting Gungahlin to Canberra’s CBD will deliver almost $1 billion in benefits to the community, according to a business case released by the ACT Government.
The report included $222 million in transport time savings, $140 million in infrastructure efficiency savings, $198 million in wider economic benefits and $240 million in land-use benefits.
It also factored in $5 million in walking, cycling and health benefits and $13 million in environmental and other benefits.
The business case, which was compiled by professional services firm Ernst and Young, indicated a return of $1.20 for every dollar spent.
It predicted that by 2031, public transport use will increase by over 30 per cent, with over 20,000 journeys made by light rail every day.
*Story courtesy of ABC News
Book now for Light Rail 2015, 5-6 March at the Sydney Harbour Marriott.
