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