Hot weather stops V/Line freight services leaving crops in the lurch

The Rail Freight Alliance has written to the State Government pleading it to consider changes to current rules which halt trains in Victoria when temperatures hit 33 degrees.

Executive Officer of the Rail Freight Alliance, Reid Mather has told 3AW Breakfast they were frustrated when the standards were changed in December last year.

Restrictions used to be at 36 degrees, and in December 2016 were changed to 33 degrees.

‘We still have next summer to be concerned about, so I think that while we’re into April now, I think its time for us to push again,’ Mr Reid said.

‘We’ve had a season of this, we can’t continue.’

Trains being halted have left trains stranded and rail users seriously disadvantaged.

Mr Reid made it clear the tracks don’t need replacing, they just need to be looked after. 

‘We don’t need a new track, we need to maintain what we’ve got.’

LISTEN: Ross and John’s chat with Rail Freight Alliance, Reid Mather