• AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      2 years ago

      @L0v3l4ce @AussieWirraway @AgreeableLandscape @RM_Transit I guess my big question is what sorts of cost benefits would flow from standardisation?

      Imagine Australia used a common standard nationwide for gauge, voltage, signalling system, etc.

      Presumably, that would make it cheaper and more efficient to roll out new railways.

      There would probably also be cost savings when ordering new rolling stock if all Australian states used trains built to a common set of standards. (Think a joint order for new suburban trains for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.)

      Certainly, there would be benefits in modernising Australia’s train systems in terms of reliability, service frequency, and amenities.

      Over the span of, say, 30 or 40 years, would those cost savings from greater efficiency outweigh the costs of standardisation and modernisation?