In January 1990 it was reported that the NSW Government was considering upgrading the existing state railway lines to use tilting train technology under development by UK engineering giant ASEA Brown Boveri. Although at 200 km/h they would be somewhat slower than the VFT, the tilt trains would avoid the need for a completely new rail corridor. There was concern that two fast railways could end up being built, which would then both be financially unviable. The VFT joint venture argued that the proposed upgrades would cost the state $1.45 billion and provide 1,700 seats daily between Sydney and Melbourne, while the VFT would cost the state nothing (the estimated $4.5 billion cost was to be privately funded) while providing 16,000 seats.
