In reply to Mr Christopherson’s letter in The Echo, it’s important to advise readers that all work carried out by both Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC) and Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL) to return rail services to the Northern Rivers is both correct and verifiable.
NRRC carried out the degradation study of the line between Lismore and Yelgun, with cost estimates from over 20 rail infrastructure management companies and suppliers, most with extensive experience in the Australian railway market. This was then quantified by a qualified quantity surveyor.
How the figure of $478 was arrived at as a fare in his letter is anyone’s guess.
While the author states he’s a former railway employee and knows prices, he doesn’t state what his actual role was.
It’s hard to quantify his expertise when he doesn’t state what experience he has in infrastructure management.
Fares have been calculated by NRRL around $8 with $12 return between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, and similarly to Bangalow – less with concessions, and based on train journeys daily x seat capacity per train journey.
As a result of the hard work by these railway companies, an ‘Approval in Principle’ for the licence application has now been sent to TfNSW for this vital project, subject to final funding, for the benefit of the entire community, including Mr Christopherson himself.
There are over 95 per cent of local businesses that fully support this new rail initiative with over 85 per cent support from residents across the wider community.
Not only will this new rail service benefit the able-bodied, but will also provide a user-friendly transport option with access for those with bikes, surfboards, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, etc, to and from Mullumbimby as the first stage.
Then Bangalow and other destinations, in a safe, secure, efficient all-weather non-road environment, and Mr Christopherson and others with disabilities or mobility issues will be most warmly welcomed aboard!
Phillip Mackenzie, West Lakes
Chairman Northern Rivers Rail Ltd
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
