Commercial freight services have commenced on newly completed sections of the Inland Rail project, providing faster transit options for Melbourne-Brisbane corridors.
Operational Sections
Services now running on:
- Parkes to Narromine (106km) - Operational since March
- Narrabri to North Star (188km) - Services commenced June
- Kagaru to Acacia Ridge (Brisbane connection) - Limited services
Service Benefits
Transit Time Improvements
- Melbourne to Brisbane: Target 24 hours (vs 26+ hours coastal)
- Reliability: Fewer weather and congestion delays
- Capacity: Double-stacked containers on dedicated tracks
Initial Freight Types
Early adoption focused on:
- Intermodal containers
- Agricultural exports
- Manufacturing inputs
- Retail distribution
Operator Announcements
Pacific National and Aurizon have both announced expanded services utilising the new infrastructure, with competitive pricing targeting road freight conversion.
Remaining Construction
Full project completion expected:
- 2026: Additional NSW sections
- 2027: Queensland sections
- 2028: Full Melbourne-Brisbane operation
Industry Impact
Freight forwarders are beginning to incorporate Inland Rail options into routing decisions, though full modal shift benefits await complete corridor availability.