Rail operator to make more job cuts Rail operator Aurizon will cut more jobs under plans to make $230 million in cost savings and productivity gains over the next two years. The company formerly known as QR National will launch a second voluntary redundancy program in the coming 12 months, after accepting about 750 redundancies in its previous restructuring efforts. The company has shed about 1,600 positions since it was privatised by the Queensland government in 2011. No figure has been given for the next round of job cuts. In a presentation to analysts, chief executive Lance Hockridge said the latest plans were all about improving the way Aurizon does business, and delivering positive outcomes for customers and shareholders. Aurizon has set itself a target of achieving at least $230 million in cost savings and productivity improvements before the end of the 2014/15 financial year. It wants to cut $100 million from costs in what it calls its `support functions', which includes human relations, strategy and finance divisions. Between $40 million and $60 million of those in savings are expected to be made through redundancies, natural attrition, simplifying management, reduced spending on contractors and outsourcing. The company currently has 825 people working in its support functions. Other savings will be made by the sale of properties no longer needed, upgrading of its IT services, and reduced spending from its corporate services. Aurizon is also negotiating 18 of its 19 enterprise agreements with staff between now and the end of 2014, which it says will be key to driving its changes. Its shares gained 16 cents, or 3.6 per cent, to $4.55 on Thursday.