Tuesday, March 21, 2006

eTrain: Canberra Hybrid Fast Train to Sydney Airport 2013

The Canberra Hybrid Fast Train to Sydney Airport would be a renewable energy powered transit system to Canberra. It would start with a minor upgrades to the existing diesel trains to enable them to use the $192M new rail line being built through Sydney.

Companies and researchers in the rail transport industry would be invited to Canberra in 2013 to celebrate the new service and discuss new technologies for this route and for the developing world. Hybrid diesel/battery trains such as Japan Rail East's Kiha E200 using carbon neutral fuels could replace diesel trains. The new hybrid trains would travel via Sydney Airport, allowing domestic and international passengers to travel to and from Canberra using the existing, but under-used line. This would have environmental benefits reducing aircraft pollution and also free up the airport for more international and longer distance interstate flights.

This follows from a public forum in Sydney last Saturday and the invitation from the ACT government to suggest ways to celebrate Canberra's centenary.

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