QR National chief executive Lance Hockridge has been appointed chairman of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).

Hockridge replaces former ARTC chief executive David Marchant who chaired the ARA for two years.

ARA chief executive Bryan Nye said Hockridge’s appointment would ensure continued leadership for Australia’s rail industry.

“Lance has more than 30 years’ experience in the transport industry and the knowledge and expertise to drive the Australasian rail industry to bigger and better things and to ensure the industry is able to meet growing passenger and freight demands,” Nye said.

Hockridge said as chairman of the ARA he aimed to bring a broader perspective to the role that rail should play in Australia’s future economic and social development .

“Rail cannot be viewed as standing apart from the broader transport and logistics industry in this country, rather, it needs to be recognised for its strengths and as an integral component in domestic and export supply chains and in providing positive public transport outcomes,” he said.

“There’s much work to do among many stakeholders – policy makers, transport industry leaders, business and the general community – to realise the genuine benefit that rail can deliver to the economy and to Australians.

“Now is the time to deliver on change and invest in future transport infrastructure, whent he transport task is escalating rapidly on the back of a resources boom and resurgent Australian economy.”