Saving a few dollars getting to Syd airport...

[Mattg]

I think a general increase as my regular fare has increased by over $1.00 to/from dom/int.

But is it just affecting airport stations or the entire Sydney train network? A $1 increase seems a bit rich, considering how disgustingly expensive the airport trains already are!

 

[Grooba]

But is it just affecting airport stations or the entire Sydney train network? A $1 increase seems a bit rich, considering how disgustingly expensive the airport trains already are!

Not sure tbh, my fares are only ever to/from dom/int.

 

[medhead]

Is that because of a general fare increase or is that specific to Mascot?

Pretty sure it's a general increase. Domestic city went to $15.90. Terminal transfer to $5.40.

Not sure about other fares. City mascot was $3.80 tonight. It might have been $$3.60 last time I did this.

 

[moa999]

All public transport fares went up in early Jan, apart from those using Opal cards.

Will be interesting how Opal will be implemented for airport stations, particularly with the free after 8 journeys and $2.50 Sunday promotions

 

[SeaWolf]

Will be interesting how Opal will be implemented for airport stations, particularly with the free after 8 journeys and $2.50 Sunday promotions

At a guess, the ride will be free (or $2.50 or whatever) but the 'Gate Fee' will still be charged, possibly straight out of the Opal card. Kind of the way it is now if you have a MyMulti. The MyMulti covers the ride and you have to buy an extra 'Gate Pass' so the airport can gouge its extra dollars from you.

 

[medhead]

At a guess, the ride will be free (or $2.50 or whatever) but the 'Gate Fee' will still be charged, possibly straight out of the Opal card. Kind of the way it is now if you have a MyMulti. The MyMulti covers the ride and you have to buy an extra 'Gate Pass' so the airport can gouge its extra dollars from you.

One option. But opal is supposed to have a weekly cap. Also weekly tickets to/from airport stations include the gate pass.

 

[dajop]

OK, a quick review of situation from International Terminal. As I had time up my sleeve after a morning arrival, into Sydney I took the 400 bus and planned on changing to train at Rockdale. However the bus also goes past Banksia station and I decided to change there, as there seemed to be a reasonable number of people waiting for train (during morning peak), and I only waited about 3 mins for train to city.

Coming back to airport yesterday, I planned via sydney transport website, and got on the Waterfall train at Town Hall, again changing at Banksia where it was a 8 min wait for the 400 bus (3 mins at Rockdale for the change seemed pushing it). Total travel time from Town Hall to Airport was 35 mins - if I had taken the airport train from Town Hall it would have been 25 mins as it goes via Circular Quay (maybe 2-3 mins less if I went to Central first and changed). It is a little bit of bother doing it this way though, and although I saved the cost of a weekly gate pass, for me it's more the principle rather than the dollars it saved.

 

[Buzzard]

OK, a quick review of situation from International Terminal. As I had time up my sleeve after a morning arrival, into Sydney I took the 400 bus and planned on changing to train at Rockdale. However the bus also goes past Banksia station and I decided to change there, as there seemed to be a reasonable number of people waiting for train (during morning peak), and I only waited about 3 mins for train to city.

Coming back to airport yesterday, I planned via sydney transport website, and got on the Waterfall train at Town Hall, again changing at Banksia where it was a 8 min wait for the 400 bus (3 mins at Rockdale for the change seemed pushing it). Total travel time from Town Hall to Airport was 35 mins - if I had taken the airport train from Town Hall it would have been 25 mins as it goes via Circular Quay (maybe 2-3 mins less if I went to Central first and changed). It is a little bit of bother doing it this way though, and although I saved the cost of a weekly gate pass, for me it's more the principle rather than the dollars it saved.

You may not save any time doing this as the next airport train might be the same one and you just have to wait for it to go around the city circle.

 

[medhead]

OK, a quick review of situation from International Terminal. As I had time up my sleeve after a morning arrival, into Sydney I took the 400 bus and planned on changing to train at Rockdale. However the bus also goes past Banksia station and I decided to change there, as there seemed to be a reasonable number of people waiting for train (during morning peak), and I only waited about 3 mins for train to city.

Coming back to airport yesterday, I planned via sydney transport website, and got on the Waterfall train at Town Hall, again changing at Banksia where it was a 8 min wait for the 400 bus (3 mins at Rockdale for the change seemed pushing it). Total travel time from Town Hall to Airport was 35 mins - if I had taken the airport train from Town Hall it would have been 25 mins as it goes via Circular Quay (maybe 2-3 mins less if I went to Central first and changed). It is a little bit of bother doing it this way though, and although I saved the cost of a weekly gate pass, for me it's more the principle rather than the dollars it saved.

The trick is to use museum station.

 

[dajop]

The trick is to use museum station.

Not really. From where I was (Hilton) easier to use Town Hall and change at Central (5 mins quicker than going via Circular Quay)

 

[medhead]

Not really. From where I was (Hilton) easier to use Town Hall and change at Central (5 mins quicker than going via Circular Quay)

St James from the hilton then. The extra time getting to St James equals the time taken to change at central. You're one the airport train on the correct side of the city circle. You have a better chance of getting a seat

 

[Buzzard]

What Sydney needs IMHO is a dedicated airport train. One that starts at Central and only stops at Domestic and International then returns to Central.
A train that that has proper facilities for pax with luggage. The airport train should not be a regular suburban train which just becomes a joke.

 

[dajop]

What Sydney needs IMHO is a dedicated airport train. One that starts at Central and only stops at Domestic and International then returns to Central.
A train that that has proper facilities for pax with luggage. The airport train should not be a regular suburban train which just becomes a joke.

Some airports you pay a premium for premium service like you describe. Some you pay regular prices for a regular commuter service. Either option is acceptable, SYD doesn't really need an express service due to its proximity to the city, I'd guess. What would be better is the existing commuter service at regular commuter pricing.

 

[Buzzard]

Some airports you pay a premium for premium service like you describe. Some you pay regular prices for a regular commuter service. Either option is acceptable, SYD doesn't really need an express service due to its proximity to the city, I'd guess. What would be better is the existing commuter service at regular commuter pricing.

I agree that if a regular price was paid the service could be left alone. We do however pay a premium price.

Certainly there are others on this forum that would use the train more than I (about every 2 months) but I have noticed at times how crowded the train is with airport passengers and their luggage cramming around the doors because it is difficult to get luggage up or down stairs.

 

[dajop]

but I have noticed at times how crowded the train is with airport passengers and their luggage cramming around the doors because it is difficult to get luggage up or down stairs.

Obviously never travelled on Beijing subway with luggage at peak hour, the SYD trains are bliss in comparison But I agree, somewhere to store luggage would be useful and reduce crowding.

Another little piece of trivia, is that it costs exactly twice as much to travel the 11km from International Terminal to Town Hall, as it costs to take the train the 513 km from Goulburn to Scone! I guess that says more about NSW politics than anything.

 

[trentusjuventus]

Obviously never travelled on Beijing subway with luggage at peak hour, the SYD trains are bliss in comparison

Agreed, however for 25 RMB, I can deal with a bit of push and shove!

 

[UP4014]

What Sydney needs IMHO is a dedicated airport train. One that starts at Central and only stops at Domestic and International then returns to Central.
A train that that has proper facilities for pax with luggage. The airport train should not be a regular suburban train which just becomes a joke.

We need to remember the airport line was not built for the airport first, which is a by product.

It is called the "New Southern Railway" and was built to open up Green Square and Mascot and rejuvinate those areas for inner city living.

Once that is understood, it's much easier to see why other decisions and pricing is the way it is.

Matt

 

[serfty]

I though it was built specifically in time for the Sydney 2000 Olympics ... or was that just co-incidence ...

 

[moa999]

I would also far prefer the current service that takes in multiple CBD stops versus an express from Central that needs a train and platform change.

Have always find there is enough room for luggage in the vestibule area, although agree a single height carriage would make things easier.

While not perfect the Sydney system is OK and provides more access to all parts of the CBD without changes compared to other cities

 

[penegal]

Obviously never travelled on Beijing subway with luggage at peak hour, the SYD trains are bliss in comparison But I agree, somewhere to store luggage would be useful and reduce crowding.

Agreed, however for 25 RMB, I can deal with a bit of push and shove!

The Beijing subway is 2 RMB ($0.37 AUD) practically anywhere, which can be crowded in peak times (and some off peak times), but is generally quite efficient at moving large numbers of people IMHO.
The PEK airport train is about 25 RMB ($4.57 AUD), and has never been too crowded in my experience.

OT: The airport train, then subway can be quite a cost effective way to get anywhere in Beijing from the airport for 27 RMB ($4.93 AUD).

Another little piece of trivia, is that it costs exactly twice as much to travel the 11km from International Terminal to Town Hall, as it costs to take the train the 513 km from Goulburn to Scone! I guess that says more about NSW politics than anything.

Classic "airport" pricing (or over-pricing / under-subsidising as the case really is). Unfortunately this is quite common here and abroad