Only 2% of freight between Melbourne and Sydney goes by rail – putting Australia’s emissions targets at risk

Exclusive: rail use dwindles to minuscule levels amid over-reliance on heavy and polluting trucks, industry warns

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Freight transported across Australia by rail has dwindled to such minuscule levels that emissions targets will be unachievable without policies to counter the country's over-reliance on heavy and polluting trucks, the industry has warned.

The share of non-bulk freight - including manufactured goods, produce, post, foods, drinks and most other items - transported by rail in Australia has now dropped to 17% and just 11% across the eastern seaboard, according to new research released by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Freight on Rail Group, a coalition of operators.