Industry leadership

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is the industry body for railways in Australia and New Zealand. Acting as the industry's lobby group, it addresses key strategic issues that are highly relevant in both countries:

• Having rational infrastructure investment and integrated transport strategies.
• The need for consistency in pricing principles for access to infrastructure between modes and operators.
• Reform of regulation affecting rail.
• A greater role for public transport in liveable, sustainable cities.

Both Francis Small and Murray King have been office holders in the Association, and between them have continuously represented Tranz Rail on its Executive Committee since the ARA was founded in 1994. Being part of such an organisation is valuable in terms of keeping abreast of policy and other changes in the rail industry in both countries.

In 2002, a New Zealand group of the ARA was founded to foster rail transport in New Zealand. Murray King is the Chairman of the group.

Murray King: "The rail sector in New Zealand is evolving from a single large player to a multi-firm industry. In this situation, it is important to have an industry body to speak on its behalf on common issues".

Result:

• Growth in understanding of common railway issues on both sides of the Tasman.