The DEC of freight rail in the NT is projected to rise by 43 per cent, from around $2 million in 2011 to $3 million in 2031. The NT share of the bulk rail freight task in 2012-13 was 2.4 million net tonnes, 0.2 per cent of the total national task.531
The NT is connected to the interstate rail network by the 2,244 km standard gauge railway from Darwin to Tarcoola in SA. Construction of the 1,420 km section between Alice Springs and Darwin was completed in 2004. The railway is operated by Genesee and Wyoming Australia. Utilisation of the railway is limited, with six intermodal services per week in each direction from Darwin to Tarcoola to Adelaide. There is ample capacity for increased services on this line.532
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531. Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (2014h)
532. Genesee and Wyoming Inc. (2014)