The NSW Government has asked IPART to review and recommend a new economic regulatory framework that will create better incentives for CityRail to provide passenger rail services at efficient cost levels. IPART has previously indicated that it is time to implement a more comprehensive and robust framework for regulating CityRail’s fares.  While undertaking this review of the regulatory framework, IPART is also to review CityRail’s current fares and determine new fares to apply from the start of 2009. A copy of the terms of reference for the review can be found by clicking on the Terms of Reference button below. 

IPART has released an issues paper as part of its review. IPART sought stakeholder comment on its issues paper. Submissions can be found by clicking on the Submissions button below. In addition, IPART engaged two consultants to examine and advise it on specific aspects of the review.  The consultant’s reports can be found by clicking on the Consultant Report’s button below.

IPART has begun to consider the findings and recommendations of its consultants, as well as other issues raised in the issues paper and the submissions made by the government and other stakeholders.  IPART has released two discussion papers which can be found by clicking on the Issues Paper button below. IPART’s first discussion paper, Determining CityRail's revenue requirement and how it should be funded focuses on the total cost of providing CityRail services and how these costs should be funded between passengers and taxpayers. IPART’s second discussion paper, Deciding on the structure and level of CityRail's fares focuses on how fares should be structured to encourage efficiency in the use of the CityRail network, equity between different users of CityRail services and promote efficient investment decisions. The purpose of these discussion papers is to explain IPART’s preliminary analysis and views on some of the key issues related to its approach to fare setting and the 2009 fare determination. 

IPART has received and is currently considering stakeholder’s submissions on these discussion papers. Submissions are available by clicking on the submissions button below. IPART also held a roundtable discussion on the 31st of July 2008. A copy of the transcript from the roundtable can be found by clicking on the transcript button below. IPART will take the comments received via submissions and at the roundtable into account in making its draft determination which is expected to be released for stakeholder comment in September 2008.

The full timetable for the review can be found here click here. 

A copy of the IPART’s current decision on CityRail's fares is available here click here for 2007 report.