Hobart Airporter Shuttle

[straitman]

Just some comments about my experience with The 'Hobart Airporter Shuttle' yesterday.

I have to say that I cannot recommend the shuttle to anyone. The following is the feedback I have given to Tourism Tasmania and to the bus operator. Those that know me will understand that I'm normally pretty lay back regarding these happenings but this one really got up my nose.


As I write this I think of the words of “I Still Call Australia Home” that Qantas use in their advertising.

“I’ve been to cities that never close down” … and I have!

Yesterday morning (28[SUP]th[/SUP] June) I had the unfortunate experience of catching the ‘Hobart Airporter Shuttle’.

As a retired pilot who has and does travel extensively I have to say that this was by far the worst experience of its kind that I have ever had anywhere in the world.

On Wednesday afternoon I flew into Hobart on QF1019 and was met by a friend. On arriving at her house we rang the booking number and ‘booked’ a trip for yesterday morning on the ‘Hobart Airporter Shuttle’. I use the term booked rather lightly as there were no details taken. Pickup was arranged for the 0845 at Hadley’s Hotel. I arrived a 0840 and by 0845 there were four people waiting. (The temperature at that time was between 2.2 and 2.5 degrees with an apparent temperature of below zero)

As time was moving on, and some people were getting concerned about their flight times, so despite some having prepaid there Airport Shuttle fares the four of us decided to get a Maxi-taxi to the airport but were unable to hail one prior to the bus finally arriving.

The shuttle arrived at approx. 0907 with a very frazzled driver who did his best in a bad situation. (He had started at 0600 and was not to get a break until 1100 (OH&S?)) We arrived at the airport at 0946.

The problems are see are as follows:

1. The booking process was incomplete and people such as myself could have missed getting seats. (There were only 3 spare seats)
2. The bus was sufficiently late that it impinged upon peoples check-in times at the airport.
3. The driver appeared to be overworked in a practical sense, if not in a legal sense.
4. The system is sufficiently flawed and the bus sufficiently cramped that many on the bus stated that they would not use the bus again.

Traditionally only about 10% of people with complaints actually give feedback so if you even get three complaints from this trip you will have covered most people on board.

What do I expect to get out of this?

Nothing other than the knowledge that the system and the bus are improved to at least a third world standard and preferably to a world class standard.

 

[fbrimfield]

You had to get on a cramped bus that was 20 minutes late and they didn't take enough details for you when you called them, and it was the worst experience you've ever had of this kind anywhere in the world?

I don't mean any offence, but your travelling life must be pretty eventless.

 

[straitman]

You had to get on a cramped bus that was 20 minutes late and they didn't take enough details for you when you called them, and it was the worst experience you've ever had of this kind anywhere in the world?

I don't mean any offence, but your travelling life must be pretty eventless.

No offence taken.

The purpose of the forums is to give feedback and that's what I'm doing.

My transport experience was even better in New Delhi where one 'might' expect it to be somewhat worse. You also obviously missed the bit about me being pretty lay back regarding these things because I am for the most part.

 

[Justinf]

Had a similar experience.
Booked the shuttle the night before for a departure time of 8.45am and was told to wait at the bus stop on Argyle St and be there by 8.40am. I had prepaid and my flight time was 10.25am.
Got there at 8.35am and the bus never showed. I phoned and was told that I must not have been there and that the bus was on its way. Was pretty much told that it was all my fault. I then had to phone a cab and by the time it arrived it was 9.30am. I had to then fork out $40 for a cab and got there just in time to check in.
I tried to get the cab fare refunded by the shuttle bus company but was basically told 'tough luck'. I then tried to get a refund for the trip that I had paid for and not received and was told that I could not get a refund and that it would be honoured for future travel.
I can accept that things sometimes go wrong, but I resented being told I was basically a liar. I met my side of the bargain. They did not.

 

[smatho10]

I suggest your feedback could also be left with the folks at Hobart Airport through their website - as they award the contracts to these transport providers.

 

[Boof1]

Ever since the lovely couple that had the contract for years got under cut by Redline Coaches (the bus company that owns Airporter Shuttle) there has hardly been a good word spoken about the service. I can't for the life of me remember the names of the people that owned the old company but they were great, always on time, always friendly, and they were even happy to give the regulars a discount for using them! I arrived into HBA and got the bus once and told the driver I was headed to a local pub for a few beers so could he drop me at the nearest stop that would be great. 25 mins later and even though it was a few blocks from the "route" I was still dropped at the pub door! Brilliant service sadly missed with the current operators.

 

[smatho10]

Wendy Duggan - simply brilliant...

 

[serfty]

Fascinating ...

March 03, 2011: Bitter war on shuttle contract Tasmania News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania

March 24, 2011: Last ride for Ten Buck bus Tasmania News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania

$10 Buck Bus ? Hobart Airport Suttle Bus

(The web site is still up - I note it's a "suttle" bus)

 

[The Beast]

Maybe I'm the lone voice but my only experience with the Airporter was very positive (Oct 2011). Our QF evening flight managed to lose our checked bags, and was so slow in sorting this out that it was about 10.15 pm by the time we were ready to go and the Airporter had left. There was a DJ flight due in, but that was very delayed, and another Airporter bus was waiting. First, we were invited inside the waiting bus to keep the elements out. Then, once it was clear that DJ would be even later, the driver took Mrs Beast (aka Beauty) and I into the city on our own - cheapest aiport taxi ever. "Can't make you wait for that late flight now, can I?" was the response. If only all staff were like our driver that night...

 

[straitman]

If only all staff were like our driver that night...

On this occasion the driver did what he could to make the best of a bad situation.

I have not had a reply from the bus operator (though I'm not surprised) but also have not had one from Tourism Tasmania which does surprise me.