Seven B-double trucks a day will replace Shell's bulk fuel train delivery from Sydney to Canberra.
The fuel train was the last freight rail service into Canberra and it rolled out of the city for the final time last night.
Aspate of horrific road accidents involving trucks over the Christmasholidays sparked calls for the NSW Government to restore a 1.2c perlitre ''fuel by rail scheme'' which it stopped in November, 2008. Oneof the worst of these accidents involving a fuel tanker and three carsnorth of Batemans Bay last month killed two sisters aged 11 and 13,their father and the tanker driver.
Shell's spokesman saidthe fuel subsidy had no bearing on the company's decision to stop raildeliveries: ''In essence it's about greater efficiency andreliability.''
Trucks were more flexible and delivered fuel more efficiently to service stations, farmers and other customers.
The rail siding depot at Fyshwick will close as well.
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