Public Transport to our airports - what's cheapest?

[elanshin]

It's crazy isn't it. Also that it is like 7 times the amount of the standard fare to Mascot station is ridiculous. Like what is so special about an airport station?

It should be like in London where the tube line fare is just normal fare. As it isn't like the Sydney train is a special airport train only.

It's how the airport line was constructed. The private partnership could impose a station access fee on all 4 of the stations until 2030.

NSW state government is subsidising everyone at Green Square and Mascot by paying the company an amount for each entry/exit.

 

[henrus]

I wasn't sure if this still applied to the 50¢ trial but thanks for confirming!

Yep I went from central to the gold coast airport last week all for 50c:

 

[AIRwin]

Yep I went from central to the gold coast airport last week all for 50c:

So theoretically you can travel from QLD to NSW for 50¢

 

[travelislife]

It's how the airport line was constructed. The private partnership could impose a station access fee on all 4 of the stations until 2030.

NSW state government is subsidising everyone at Green Square and Mascot by paying the company an amount for each entry/exit.

So the big question is if the fees will go away after 2030!

 

[elanshin]

So the big question is if the fees will go away after 2030!

That is indeed right now the big question and one that's actually gotten some news attention lately.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Still better value than the Skybus at a whopping $40 return walk up fare.

 

[travelislife]

Still better value than the Skybus at a whopping $40 return walk up fare.

That's the same price as the train which is $40 return for a shorter trip.

 

[jrfsp]

That's the same price as the train which is $40 return for a shorter trip.

Fair bit of infrastructure difference between a train and bus though....

 

[Bundy Bear]

Its 20 minutes walking from Mascot to Qantas domestic terminal, I wouldn’t do it in the rain, dark or summer

 

[Lynda2475]

Train to/from SYD from city, inner west, east, inner south or lower north shore only ever makes financial sense (costs less than other options) if it is a single person travelling to/from airport at peak time (when traffic is bad) as once you add a second person Uber is cheaper and way less hassle.

People living in outer western/southwest suburbs, Central coast or lower blue mountains may get value if only 2 people, but you have to factor in 1 hour suburban train ride before you can even connect to airport line. Those on northern beaches have a longbus ride to get to station and then still have to change for the airport line. No wonder airport shuttle services are still profitable for those in these areas.

 

[L2.]

Its 20 minutes walking from Mascot to Qantas domestic terminal, I wouldn’t do it in the rain, dark or summer

I always just jump on either bus route 350 or 420 from outside T3 at Sydney Domestic, which drops me off at Mascot Station about 5-10 minutes later, then catch the train from there.

Usually with the transfer discount, the bus journey only costs me 24 cents, on top of the normal train fare from Mascot. There's always a handful of others on every journey who appear to be doing exactly the same thing.

 

[AIRwin]

Its 20 minutes walking from Mascot to Qantas domestic terminal, I wouldn’t do it in the rain, dark or summer

It should be safe at night?

 

[henrus]

So theoretically you can travel from QLD to NSW for 50¢

There are only a couple of stops in the Tweed but yes you can technically travel anywhere in SEQ to NSW for 50c, I guess the "best" value journey would be Gympie North to the Tweed, it's a 4hr drive that's 276km total. On public transport it's 50c and takes 5hr 32mins the Sunshine Coast line, Gold Coast line then finally the 760 (the same bus that stops at the Gold Coast Airport).

 

[AIRwin]

There are only a couple of stops in the Tweed but yes you can technically travel anywhere in SEQ to NSW for 50c, I guess the "best" value journey would be Gympie North to the Tweed, it's a 4hr drive that's 276km total. On public transport it's 50c and takes 5hr 32mins the Sunshine Coast line, Gold Coast line then finally the 760 (the same bus that stops at the Gold Coast Airport).

Bonza!

 

[moa999]

how the airport line was constructed. The private partnership could impose a station access fee on all 4 of the stations until 2030.

And without the fee the line wouldn't have been built. The NSW Govt at the time was stretched by all the directly related Olympic infrastructure construction.

Same as most (not all) of the toll roads.

 

[moa999]

So the big question is if the fees will go away after 2030!

I suspect unfortunately it will be a bit like the Sydney Harbour Bridge.. when the loan was paid off they kept the tolls to fund the Harbour Tunnel, and now the same again for the Western Harbour Tunnel.

There are long term plans for a second line through the airport, but nothing concrete.

 

[Lynda2475]

They could however reduce the fee significantly post 2030 (and then see patronage increase). $17.70 + train fare is excessive, compare with JFK where its $7 + train fare.

Noting that whilst Sydney Harbour Bridge Toll was not eliminated it was reduced to one way only once paid off.

 

[CaptJCool]

It should be safe at night?

Yes

I’ve walked many times at night time (especially if winter)

However, it’s no fun in the rain ️ or if running late. So that’s two gin & tonics in the QF lounge that I paid the train operator to “acquire”

 

[kamchatsky]

They could however reduce the fee significantly post 2030 (and then see patronage increase). $17.70 + train fare is excessive, compare with JFK where its $7 + train fare.

Noting that whilst Sydney Harbour Bridge Toll was not eliminated it was reduced to one way only once paid off.

And the SHB Toll will most likely go back to both ways soon to ensure the usage of Western Harbour Tunnel when it opens.

 

[Brissy1]

1. Gov removes(pays subsidy) Mascot access fee.
2. Patronage increases 50% within months, and further doubling in 4 years.
3. Consequently Mascot requires upgrade, $39m spent 2021.
4. Dedicated Mascot -airport bus route established (for passengers avoiding the airport station fee!)
4. Further Mascot upgrade required, $ spent this year.

Meanwhile, cavernous airport stations underutilised