Six million people a year would use train to Melbourne Airport

[TheRealTMA]

It wasn’t privatised, it was built under a public private partnership. We only have to look to Melbourne to see what would have happened without private investment.

AirTrain was definitely a failure in the early years but it now does make a profit.

PPPs are privatisation of what should be public assets. “The Airtrain service is a private enterprise. The line is owned and operated by Airtrain Citylink Limited, with financial backing from Transfield Services, Macquarie Bank, Colonial First State and ABN AMRO”

 

[justinbrett]

PPPs are privatisation of what should be public assets. “The Airtrain service is a private enterprise. The line is owned and operated by Airtrain Citylink Limited, with financial backing from Transfield Services, Macquarie Bank, Colonial First State and ABN AMRO”

Yeah, that’s my point. It wouldn’t have got built otherwise.

I’d rather an asset that’s expensive to use than no asset. I’m old enough to remember life before the train, and there was no public transport to the airport. The train is a lot cheaper than taxis.

 

[Xrayspice]

Yeah, that’s my point. It wouldn’t have got built otherwise.

I’d rather an asset that’s expensive to use than no asset. I’m old enough to remember life before the train, and there was no public transport to the airport. The train is a lot cheaper than taxis.

Why couldn’t they have a bus?

 

[justinbrett]

Why couldn’t they have a bus?

Taxi Lobby?

No idea. But there was none (not public transport. There were private coaches running - eg Coachtrans).

 

[Xrayspice]

Taxi Lobby?

No idea. But there was none (not public transport. There were private coaches running - eg Coachtrans).

Bus goes to the Gold Coast Airport, so maybe not a taxi dispute

 

[justinbrett]

Bus goes to the Gold Coast Airport, so maybe not a taxi dispute

I’m talking late 90s before the train was built.

As to now I assume there’s exclusivity contracts which prevents competing public transport to BNE.

 

[RooFlyer]

Speaking of Brisbane airport.

During the airport privatisation process, I was working for an investment bank whose client was a potential buyer. The AirTrain was either under construction or planned.

The client one day asks "If we buy the airport, can we stop this train from stopping at the airport?"

Puzzled looks all round. Finally one of us asked - why?

Taxi concession.

 

[Bundy Bear]

In the beginning the Brisbane airtrain carried air and not passengers but over time it can be more useful than uber/taxi.

I wish Melbourne would hurry up and start theirs even Perth has one.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Buses are the worst form of public transport.

 

[Daver6]

Buses are the worst form of public transport.

I guess you've not flown Jetstar then

 

[jase05]

It’s well overdue for Melbourne and will be a success. Personally I’d probably never use it in my 20-30 trips per year there but I’m in the minority I’d suspect

 

[Melburnian1]

It’s well overdue for Melbourne and will be a success. Personally I’d probably never use it in my 20-30 trips per year there but I’m in the minority I’d suspect

It won't be as successful as it could have been if one is required to change trains at Sunshine (Melbourne not Brisbane) to get to/from Southern Cross railway station.

 

[Neil64]

The key issue is whether the train will be an express point to point service, or rather part of the suburban system that slews off to the airport (seems more likely the latter). The HKG airport express is a brilliant service, but I would be very surprised if anything approaching that was being proposed for Melbourne.

This is Australia we’re talking about, and more specifically Victoria, so don’t expect anything express-like, either in terms of construction time or service.

 

[Melburnian1]

This is Australia we’re talking about, and more specifically Victoria, so don’t expect anything express-like, either in terms of construction time or service.

But do expect the bills for major Victorian projects to mount faster than a Shinkansen at full bore.

 

[cove]

All ahead slow for this project. Sure Melbourne needs it.
With the Victorian Government being in a financial pickle, maybe a privately funded direct rail line should be considered.
Like a Transurban road but a rail line instead. Give them a 50 year concession maybe.

 

[Neil64]

It won't be as successful as it could have been if one is required to change trains at Sunshine (Melbourne not Brisbane) to get to/from Southern Cross railway station.

In the biggest no cough Sherlock study ever, people will embrace rail to MEL, however I think $16 is a bit steep.

No Cookies | thetelegraph.com.au

The expected time to travel on the proposed Melbourne Airport Rail Link from the airport to Southern Cross station (assuming the railway is ever built) is the same as the time it currently takes on the Sky Bus service. You wonder why they’re bothering.

It won't be as successful as it could have been if one is required to change trains at Sunshine (Melbourne not Brisbane) to get to/from Southern Cross railway station.

And if you add to that the fact that the travel time will be the same 30 minutes as the current Sky Bus then one wonders why anyone’s considering building it in the first place.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The travel times are only absurd because of the way the government has decided it must be built and funded.

 

[Neil64]

The travel times are only absurd because of the way the government has decided it must be built and funded.

I totally agree.

 

[Neil64]

All ahead slow for this project. Sure Melbourne needs it.
With the Victorian Government being in a financial pickle, maybe a privately funded direct rail line should be considered.
Like a Transurban road but a rail line instead. Give them a 50 year concession maybe.

It should definitely be offered as a private project.

 

[dajop]

It won't be as successful as it could have been if one is required to change trains at Sunshine (Melbourne not Brisbane) to get to/from Southern Cross railway station.

Not sure why getting to/from Southern Cross is that important … at least for the vast majority of passengers, and the change would probably be better be done at Footscray rather than Sunshine.

But for most there will be good connections along the way at Sunshine (Sunbury, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong), Footscray ( Werribee, W/town) and either State Library or Tiown Hall/Flinders for most suburban lines and Gippsland services (except Dandenong line which won’t require a change at all).

The downside of lack of direct access to Southern Cross will be for Shepp/Albury pax, those taking Vline coaches and those staying nearby to Southern X. .