Saving a few dollars getting to Syd airport...

[seanpodge]

I was reasonably sure that the SYD airport station was meant to be a government owned and run operation and was meant to be open for the Olympics, but some delays meant that the government ended up leasing it to private interests in order to speed up construction so it'd be ready for the games, stuffing up the line for years to come.

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).

The Beijing Subway (excluding the Airport line) is 2 RMB per trip, whether travelling one station or 100 and is fast and efficient (although prone to becoming rather crowded, particularly the older lines 1 and 2). There is some talk of changing the fare structure in the near future however.

I've also used the Airport Express a few times and it's grand. Only quibble is how long it takes to go from the T3 to T1&2 stop. Of course it's at a premium price, but it's a pretty reasonable one by international standards and the train itself is top notch.

 

[medhead]

I have to disagree that the private company screwed the airport line. Apparently the deal was structured so the private company collected the gate fee for the first X years and the government for the following X years. Pretty sure this is up thread. Apparently the arrangement changed in the last 12 months into the government's favour. In the last 12 months airport link has also stop giving a discount for advance purchase of tickets. This suggests the government is not willing to provide such as discount, when airport link previously did, and would rather suck as much money as possible from the line. If the government where so good they'd forgo the gate fee entirely.

 

[FreddyFattler]

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.

It would be possible to do, but it would block the world on the East Hills, other Airport line stations.

The train would have to terminate at Turrella, next terminating station would be Kingsgrove (better option due to a turnback road allowing trains behind to be closer to the terminating service) and return to Central, it would then have to arrive at and turn around at platform 23, which involves running in the wrong direction for part of the way between Green Square and Central, thus blocking the other services coming from the city circle to go through the tunnel, though they could come out of the city circle and leave from platform 22, but then that could delay other services from platform 22 such as Bankstown line services and East Hills via Sydenham services.

As far as i'm aware the gate fee is still paid to a private company and not collected by Sydney Trains.

 

[medhead]

Whoever mentioned the gate fee might like to step. But as far as I recall the gate fee, while collected by airport link, goes to the government now. Government doss not mean Sydney trains.

 

[FreddyFattler]

Are you confusing the fact that the Government now covers the fee for non airport stations..in order to increase patronage at these stations with the Government now gets the money?

NSW Gov/syd trains same money pit.

There is some profit sharing but that only kicks in at a certain point. Everything I can find suggests Airportlink still collects and keeps the cashola, along with money from NSW gov/TfNSW in lieu of the gate fee at non airport stations.

Project Details:

Contract value: $673 million (the estimated design and construction cost at the time of the contract award):
- $542 million – the public sector component (tunnels, trucks etc);

- $131 million – the private sector component (four stations).
Contract term: 30-Jun-1995 to 20-May-2030
Operation began: 20-May-2000
Project Variations:

13-Oct-2005

Renegotiation of the original Stations Agreement (1995) was taken to settle disputes between Railcorp and the ALC. The Restated Stations Agreement (2005) includes provision of a capped amount payable by RailCorp to ALC, a revised profit sharing mechanism, a relaxation of the RailCorp’s performance standards and revised termination provisions.

1-Mar-2011

Heads of Agreement provided that from 7-Mar-2011 passengers will not pay a SUF at Green Square and Mascot stations (SUF is maintained at Domestic Terminal and International Terminal stations). To compensate ALC for the lost revenue RailCorp pays ALC a Shadow SUF based on an adjusted actual patronage volume and a Shadow SUF Value per passenger.

 

[medhead]

No just repeating information provided up thread.

 

[Sprucegoose]

All we are selling is our time, what is it worth?

 

[erkpod]

Interesting to note that the Opal card will be fully activated across the suburban rail network by the end of March, including the airport stations.

I haven't seen any changes announced yet for the gate pass at either airport station.

 

[medhead]

All we are selling is our time, what is it worth?

That is the age old question. I know my employer pays me more than the cost of the train fare for 15minutes (time taken to do the walk. But then they are not going to pay me when I'm walking to the airport.

 

[Grooba]

So I had a bit of time today and did the walk from T3 to Mascot. 20minutes flat, beautiful day, no rain. Luckily I had no bags and would agree with the others that with luggage (or in the rain) it would not be very pleasant.

Next time I'm in the same situation I'll certainly do this again. $5.20 and a bit of exercise as opposed to almost $20 it's a no brainer.

 

[Cynicor]

May I ask for 2 people going to parramatta from the airport (and vice versa later) what are the best options? Train from airport all the way, taxi to city and then train? Last time I was in Syd it seemed to only be about $20 for a taxi to the city and it sounds like the train is close to the same!

Addn info- hand luggage only, but don't want to muck around too much as I only have 2 days! I think the 20min walk option is probably out, not that I actually understand what is meant anyway!

 

[kpc]

I commend your effort however I don't have a huge issue paying $17.00 to get to the airport on the train from my station.

The thought of being all sweaty before I boarded is enough not to contemplate the walk.

Compared to the $130~ taxi fare it costs from my place to the airport I can handle $17.00 for the train.

So I had a bit of time today and did the walk from T3 to Mascot. 20minutes flat, beautiful day, no rain. Luckily I had no bags and would agree with the others that with luggage (or in the rain) it would not be very pleasant.

Next time I'm in the same situation I'll certainly do this again. $5.20 and a bit of exercise as opposed to almost $20 it's a no brainer.

Change of heart?

 

[dajop]

May I ask for 2 people going to parramatta from the airport (and vice versa later) what are the best options? Train from airport all the way, taxi to city and then train? Last time I was in Syd it seemed to only be about $20 for a taxi to the city and it sounds like the train is close to the same!

Take a taxi to Redfern then train from there to Parramatta? Is only 6km from airport, and should be only about $20 if you ask them to take you via O'Riordan Street. You will probably have to be firm with them, as there will undoubtedly be "heavy traffic" or an "accident" and will want to take you via Southern Cross Drive which would push the fare to at least $30.

 

[Grooba]

Change of heart?

Hah not really just today for me it was an option due to very unusual circumstances for myself (traveling on my own dime, on my own, had a few hours to kill, just off an overnight medium haul so needed to stretch my legs, beautiful sunny day in SYD, backpack only).

If either one of those factors didn't come into play I wouldn't have bothered.

 

[SFSC]

Just a little heads up. As mentioned by TripleB in post #70, the 400 towards the terminals (direction Burwood) now stops at Coward St nr Bourke Rd, Mascot (Stop 2020114) rather than at the stop near the HI. A trip plan on 131500.com.au with the train option unchecked will give you the details including a map of the 3 minute walk from the station to stop 2020114.

 

[JohnK]

All we are selling is our time, what is it worth?

My time costs me nothing.

Going to airport takes ~30 minutes longer and saves~$20. I spend an extra 30 minutes in office early in week and leave 30 minutes earlier on Friday.

From the airport on Sunday it doesn't matter if it takes ~30 minutes longer as all I want to Sunday night is go to sleep and that can wait 30 minutes. Another saving of ~$20.

Conservatively I am saving $1, 000 a year. Perhaps more. My last airfare to BKK cost ~$800.

 

[Sprucegoose]

My time costs me nothing.

Going to airport takes ~30 minutes longer and saves~$20. I spend an extra 30 minutes in office early in week and leave 30 minutes earlier on Friday.

From the airport on Sunday it doesn't matter if it takes ~30 minutes longer as all I want to Sunday night is go to sleep and that can wait 30 minutes. Another saving of ~$20.

Conservatively I am saving $1, 000 a year. Perhaps more. My last airfare to BKK cost ~$800.

Yes good reply, subjectively framed.

 

[samh004]

Walked to Mascot in Feb, worked out really well. On the way back it was raining cats and dogs, so had to fork out the money for the train, but bought 2 tickets and stopped at Mascot to check, so it may have worked out cheaper. Plus I also have a pensioner concession card

 

[markis10]

Plus I also have a pensioner concession card

A NSW resident one??

 

[samh004]

A NSW resident one??

It's a federal one. AFAIK.