The report was prepared last year by a Harvard-trained expert, Mike Smart, for the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. The findings were made public in a seminar at Sydney University's Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/train-ride-subsidies-pay-off-expert-20090609-c2a0.html
The claim over many decades by car enthusiasts, motorway lobbyists and opponents of public transport have long argued that taxpayers are footing the bill for train travellers because the price of tickets does not reflect the full cost of the service.
Author of 16 books on railways who also happens to be the Footplate Padre, Baptist minister Mark Tronson, an advocate for the railway, claims that these type of figures have never been given their full due in the past.
"The authors of this article have clearly reported figures that show the full benefit of the railway, taking into consideration core issues such as potential savings from road trauma, reduced need for road maintenance and reduced pollution," M V Tronson reported, after reading the study.
While collecting stories for his many railway books over a number of years, and prior to that working as an engineman himself, Mark Tronson has had numerous conversations with those who work on the railways and those who use the railways. Many have expressed plainly, in their own words, that they inherently understand that subsidising railway travel is, indeed, of overall benefit to the community.
"This newly released academic study gives statistics to support quantitatively the position I have taken recently on two occasions, when I have had the opportunity to make representation to politicians in New South Wales relating to the overall benefits of rail travel," M V Tronson noted with satisfaction.
Mark Tronson says that a 'song and dance' should be made over this, as its associations are not only for passenger services, but also for freight, which is a major component of rail transport. A side benefit, more rail freight would get many semi-trailers and B-doubles off the highways of Australia, making them safer for those who have no alternative but to use the roads (example, for local business and social activities in the country).
"The railways too need a thorough revamping," M V Tronson admits. "Having been a locomotive engineman for ten years, and having read many reports and studies on railway operations, I have formed the view that passenger train philosophy requires an economic 'back to the future' approach."
The classic interstate and intrastate passenger train was locomotive hauled, M V Tronson explained, whereas there has been a trend toward self-propelled rail motors, or XPT trains, which have a motive power car at either end of the train.
"The self evident benefit of a locomotive is that it has the potential to always be earning an income, and never idle," Mark Tronson reflected. " For example, it can haul a passenger train, and on arrival, immediately go to work hauling a freight train. Reducing power hauling down time improves the economics of the railways."
With a self-propelled (XPT) type train, the down time associated with such locomotive power units standing idle is notorious.
"In my view, reports like these need to be taken seriously," stated M V Tronson.
"Their recommendations need to be considered, and used to inform hard-headed and forward-thinking political decisions to ensure that the most effective 'mix' of railway and road transport is devised for Australia's future, for both passengers and freight.
"This is the only way to avoid deleterious economic and infrastructure outcomes outlined in the report."