THERE has been some discourse in the media of late concerning a future improved Bathurst Bullet service, the potential of an Orange to Sydney commuter service and the replacement of the XPT fleet.
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What I do not see is a political will or vision in regard to what this could provide as an enhanced intercity connection and an exciting regional development opportunity.
While the NSW Government plans for billion dollar stadiums and metro rail links (Sydney CBD to Parramatta; $12.5 billion), and has billion dollar light rail cost blowouts, the outdated XPT fleet (introduced in 1982) looks tired and worn-out in comparison to the modern, brightly painted urban train fleet at Central Station.
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It is maybe a reflection of the Sydney Basin spending spree when compared to early “planning” and vacuous ideas proposed for the Central West such as electrification between Lithgow and Bathurst.
Please consider what could be:
The next generation Endeavour type trains (including the Bathurst Bullet) and XPT fleet should incorporate “tilt train” technology. There is the potential to cut 20 to 25 per cent off the travel time, therefore rivalling car and bus travel to the city for Bathurst commuters and greatly increasing the viability of an Orange/Blayney to Sydney service. Considering that Blue Mountains rail platforms/tunnels will be widened to cater for the interurban fleet, this decision should be a fait accompli.
From our Central West perspective, we view this service as a commute or connection. But from a Sydney-centric perspective, we have an opportunity for tourism that has lacked any serious development. We take the panorama of the Tarana Valley or the Blue Mountains vista from the perspective of the Darling Causeway at Mount Victoria for granted. I suggest that this grandeur is lost on the more than 4.5 million Sydneysiders who do not realise its availability and what they are missing. For Central West councils that thrive on event-driven tourism, I am surprised that this is not an important agenda item for CENTROC and other rural development groups.
There is the opportunity to deliver light freight to and from the business centre of Sydney via existing reliable services. Where is the partnership with Toll/DHL/Australia Post/NSW Government and the like? Where is the light freight consideration within new train design? The Endeavour service leaves Sydney on Monday morning, arrives in Broken Hill that evening (1100km each way, passing major regional centres) and returns the following morning … nil freight.
If you let a service degrade, perception will perpetuate its demise.
Next time you bump into Paul Toole within the Bathurst airport lounge area, ask him how often he takes the train. I suspect he is waiting for its electrification.
