Bullet Train Between Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane: Government Signals Commitment

The Australian Federal Government has recently announced to go ahead with the plans for a 250kmh bullet train. The interstate high-speed rail project will connect Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane, delivering a fast train network to the eastern seaboard for the first time.

The government established a high-speed rail authority for the major infrastructure project. The authority is made up of a board of rail and infrastructure industry experts who will oversee the project and provide independent advice, as well as source local and national funding options.

Transport minister Catherine King said, “this is a long-term project that will not only significantly reduce travel times but also unlock regional economies, providing significant employment opportunities and supplying a remarkable economic boost in the medium and long term.”

The first section is proposed to be the Newcastle to Sydney line, with $500 million funding from the Federal Government. This section alone will slash travel times from 2.5 hours to just 45 minutes.

The entirety of the line is expected to take 15 years of planning, 30 years of construction and will cost over $130 billion for 1750km of railway.