Government moves to encourage rail freight

The state government has provided $15.5 million in subsidies to promote the use of rail for the transport of container freight to and from Fremantle Port.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the government had approved the continuation of rail subsidies until 2016-17.

Mr Buswell said increasing the use of rail would relieve pressure on roads around the port.

Currently, 14 per cent of the total containers transported through Fremantle Port get there by rail.

In 2002, that number was as low as 2 per cent.

The government is targeting 30 per cent of containers to be moved to Fremantle Port by rail by 2017.

“The state government remains strongly committed to increasing the rail share for container trade as a central strategy in securing the long-term future of the inner harbour,” Mr Buswell said.