Six million people a year would use train to Melbourne Airport

[Daver6]

I've not really followed this but a few questions

• Where will the train terminate in the city? Will it do the city loop?
• Will this be an express train to/from the CBD?
• Is it going to be extortionately expensive like the SYD situation or common sense and just a regular stop like PER?

 

[dajop]

I've not really followed this but a few questions

• Where will the train terminate in the city? Will it do the city loop?
• Will this be an express train to/from the CBD?
• Is it going to be extortionately expensive like the SYD situation or common sense and just a regular stop like PER?

• Where will the train terminate in the city? Will it do the city loop?
  It wont' terminate in the city, it will continue on the metro tunnel through to Cranbourne/Pakenham lines.
• Will this be an express train to/from the CBD?
  No it is planned to stop at Keilor East, Sunshine, Footscray, Arden and Parkville before reaching CBD.
• Is it going to be extortionately expensive like the SYD situation or common sense and just a regular stop like PER?
  Your guess is good as anyone else's!

 

[elanshin]

The numbers for SYD would be significantly higher if the ticket price was more reasonable.

SYD airport line will make an interesting economics case study in the future. The cost of the airport stops subsidizing Mascot, Wolli Creek and Green Square has meant that those areas are now massive urban development centres with decent public transport.

 

[antycbr]

Agree; the cost/benefit of roads/motorways is rarely challenged.

Especially when SYD has dropped $2.6bn on the Sydney Gateway project to dump the traffic at T1/T2/T3 where no one knows how to keep the kerbside flowing properly.

You could have bought the airport train outright and implemented a high capacity turnback past Wolli Creek for dedicated shuttles.

 

[aikman]

Today the Victorian Government delayed the start of this airport rail line by 4 years so it is now likely to move into the 2030s for it to be operating.

Well played Melbourne Airport. It was a brilliant strategy.

Use the excuse that the station should be built above ground long enough that the government removes funding for it in the budget. Now, the airport has dropped it's excuse having succeeded in delaying the train line by several years.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

What's wrong with an underground station at MEL?

The other big problem is having it stop at Sunshine - passengers with luggage, and foreign tourists, are going to be sitting ducks for criminals, thieves and thugs.

 

[elanshin]

What's wrong with an underground station at MEL?

Nothing but cost. A lot more money to dig underground.

 

[justinbrett]

Is it going to be extortionately expensive like the SYD situation or common sense and just a regular stop like PER?

One criticism I've never got.

SYD airport - Central via 10 minute train : $20.28

BNE airport - Central via 24 minute train: $21.90

MEL airport - City via 35 minute bus : $23.90

I'm not saying SYD/BNE are cheap but what the hell is going on with MEL?

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

One criticism I've never got.

SYD airport - Central via 10 minute train : $20.28

BNE airport - Central via 24 minute train: $21.90

MEL airport - City via 35 minute bus : $23.90

I'm not saying SYD/BNE are cheap but what the hell is going on with MEL?

Corrupt state controlled by militant trade unions and organised crime gangs.

 

[ayebee]

One criticism I've never got.

SYD airport - Central via 10 minute train : $20.28

BNE airport - Central via 24 minute train: $21.90

MEL airport - City via 35 minute bus : $23.90

I'm not saying SYD/BNE are cheap but what the hell is going on with MEL?

Price set comparative to the gouging by citylink + airport taxi surcharges, or price of parking at MEL.
Comparison with other cities is moot.
Personally we still use the bus having taken train from SE burbs.

 

[Hvr]

What's wrong with an underground station at MEL?

The other big problem is having it stop at Sunshine - passengers with luggage, and foreign tourists, are going to be sitting ducks for criminals, thieves and thugs.

Ill-informed stereotype or what? More than Southern Cross station? I reckon there's more danger from the airport taxi touts.

At Sunshine pax can change trains to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Sunbury etc.

The train passing through Sunshine will travel to Pakenham/Cranbourne on the same train through the city via the new tunnel.

 

[justinbrett]

Price set comparative to the gouging by citylink + airport taxi surcharges, or price of parking at MEL.
Comparison with other cities is moot.
Personally we still use the bus having taken train from SE burbs.

With 2 pax you're basically breaking even with an Uber.

Guessing Skybus will be sad once the rail opens.

 

[moa999]

what the hell is going on with MEL?

It is a lot further out.. but agree it's an extortionate fare for a bus.
There's always the Broadmeadows option.

 

[justinbrett]

It is a lot further out.. but agree it's an extortionate fare for a bus.
There's always the Broadmeadows option.

Further than SYD yes. Only about 6mins / 6Km further than BNE.

I don't mind paying it in SYD as the train is at least twice as fast as a taxi, and usually a lot more if there's traffic. BNE is debatable as to whether it's worth it.

 

[elanshin]

Further than SYD yes. Only about 6mins / 6Km further than BNE.

I don't mind paying it in SYD as the train is at least twice as fast as a taxi, and usually a lot more if there's traffic. BNE is debatable as to whether it's worth it.

Don't forget you can always bus > train at SYD too to save. Depending on timing you it's about ab extra 15mins from domestic.

Just had a nice stroll today from Mascot with my partner and showed her the route. We were plenty early and the weather was very good.

 

[moa999]

you can always bus > train at SYD too to save.

If the bus is only a few minutes away it often doesn't cost you anything in time.

Also for Sydney, the new Metro extension through the CBD is currently (subject to union shenanigans) scheduled to open on 5 August. Probably not that relevant to those staying in the CBD given transfer penalty.

 

[SYD]

If the bus is only a few minutes away it often doesn't cost you anything in time.

I caught the 350 bus all the way home the other night (50mins / $4.36). Not super convenient arriving on VA as I had to sprint through the train connector to just miss the bus and wait for the next. But while I was there, I was surprised how often the 420 was coming through on the way to Mascot station. Not that it helps me - with two trains and walk / bus (so 2x buses and 2x trains and why I usually Uber for the 20min trip).

Also for Sydney, the new Metro extension through the CBD is currently (subject to union shenanigans) scheduled to open on 5 August. Probably not that relevant to those staying in the CBD given transfer penalty.

Cost penalty? Should be a free transfer? Or are you just noting the fact that it requires a change? I suspect the change at Central won’t be too bad.

 

[Xrayspice]

One criticism I've never got.

SYD airport - Central via 10 minute train : $20.28

BNE airport - Central via 24 minute train: $21.90

MEL airport - City via 35 minute bus : $23.90

I'm not saying SYD/BNE are cheap but what the hell is going on with MEL?

In Melbourne, We catch the local bus (from the airport) to Broadmeadows train station and it cost one Myki trip. It takes about 45 mins. We also catch the bus to Mascot and catch the train to Sydney as it’s around $5. This takes an extra 10-15 mins. Adelaide, and the Gold Coast have regular bus fares.

 

[openseat]

By the 2030s Victorian debt will be north of $250bn and its residents burned heavily by tax and its living standards will collapse.

There is no chance of an airport line.

 

[Neil64]

At the moment you could use public buses to the train network for at least two thirds the price. Ok you it might take you a bit longer but is the premium worth it? Regardless I hope the link is built and the current public transport connections are kept.

I remember reading somewhere that the train, if the tracks are ever laid, will take the same time to get from the airport to Southern Cross station as the Skybus currently does.