SkyBus gone up again [Up to $23.90 one way]

[gizzard]

Well, Skybus has decided to mess it's customers around yet again.

I went to the payment window to top up my 10 trip card but was told that a couple of weeks ago Skybus stopped selling 10 trip tickets in person. They can't be bought off the web-site either. The only way to buy them is through the app.

The customer service person wasn't sure why but though that it was to make it easier for people to buy....hah!

So, without any other choice, I went on to the app and was not at all surprised that there's nowhere to enter your Velocity number so the 1,000 points for a 10 trip ticket has now gone out the window.

On their web-site I then noticed that they are stopping all Velocity points next month anyway:
"Velocity points available until January 31st 2020 only. "

So, if you want to get some points and don't need a 10 trip ticket then I would buy online (not the app though) or at a ticket office before then.

Skybus strikes again.

 

[AIRwin]

Summer Saver offer available on the app until 29 February:

SkyBus

www.skybus.com.au

 

[Melburnian1]

That Skybus return tckets are valid for only three months is not new, though the validity period was previously for up to a year IIRC.

This is another example of a company taking one's money but nit offering indefinite validity in the hope that some will go over time and have to fork out again. Why the ACCC does not stand up for consumers on this one is beyond me, although it is a small issue and it picks its marks.

Wherever possible I use the train to Broady and connecting 901 SmartBus, but not possible for international departures scheduled to push back before about 0830.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I don't think indefinite validity is fair on the business, but there's no reason it can't be 12 months for example.

The Broadmeadows and 901 option is good if you have the time. I use it whenever I do, probably saved over $300 by doing so in the past 2 years or so.

 

[Quickstatus]

SkyBus is a private company who pays a fee to PTV (Public transport victoria) for exclusivity on the route and service. I call it a monopoly tax. Daniel Andrews sees it as a win win because there is a bus service while his Govt clips each and every ticket without any cost liability.

SkyBu also pays a fee to the airport for access.

BTW I have an industry super fund and so I have a stake in 24% of the profits made by MEL because that stake is owned by IFM who are in turn owned by the industry super funds.

Note also that 19% of MEL is also owned by the Future Fund - so Commonwealth public servants benefit indirectly and the tax payer is less on the hook for CommSuper liabilities.

Thanks for using MEL and SkyBus!!

 

[Melburnian1]

Actually Vic Govt owns about eight per cent of Skybus IIRC as a result of a bus fleet and infrastructure upgrade when a previous Labor Govt was in office in Victoria.

 

[ethernet]

Well, the Minister's for Transport, responsible for efficient A to B are hopelessly conflicted in (SYD,MEL,BNE) as we know.

 

[SOPOOR]

ive always thought it as a bit of a rip off $20 each way,

but it is convenient

if a train/tram link is put, it will only cost you $4.40 in todays dollars

obviously will take longer, by how long though?

 

[Melburnian1]

Do not bet it will only cost A$4.50 each way. One consortium wants to charge the equivalent of what is A$20 today.

It may not take longer. Depends on final decisions.

I do not know why you mention a tram. It will be a heavy rail line.

 

[SOPOOR]

Do not bet it will only cost A$4.50 each way. One consortium wants to charge the equivalent of what is A$20 today.

It may not take longer. Depends on final decisions.

I do not know why you mention a tram. It will be a heavy rail line.

So its not going to be the standard ptv pricing??

 

[opusman]

So its not going to be the standard ptv pricing??

No way in hell.

 

[Must...Fly!]

So its not going to be the standard ptv pricing??

Not in a million years. Sad state of affairs in this state, and country.

 

[SOPOOR]

No way in hell.

Ah ok
So its just going to be skybus 2

Just different operators

Prices will start off ok, and then shoot up

 

[gizzard]

Just look at BNE and SYD, the train prices to and from the airport to the city both have massive price hikes over other methods. The same will be the case in MEL.

At least ADL, CBR and PER continue to have decent public transport options at standard rates but they are bus options, not trains.

 

[love_the_life]

Just look at BNE and SYD, the train prices to and from the airport to the city both have massive price hikes over other methods. The same will be the case in MEL.

At least ADL, CBR and PER continue to have decent public transport options at standard rates but they are bus options, not trains.

CBR hasn't had public transport to the airport for very long - before then it was a private operator with a minibus. Taxis had the run of the airport as the only really efficient method of transport.

 

[gizzard]

CBR hasn't had public transport to the airport for very long - before then it was a private operator with a minibus. Taxis had the run of the airport as the only really efficient method of transport.

I haven't caught one but my partner caught a bus from the airport fairly recently and Google maps indicates that there's a service.

 

[wandering_fred]

Hopefully the opening of the train to Perth airport will generate some "pressure" to lower the airport rates in the other cities.
How about they take the SE Asia national park route. If you have an Australian ID card, you pay the Australian (ie normal rates) other wise the there is a $10 surcharge each way.


Just wandering
Fred

 

[gizzard]

I have learnt from Skybus that they will be introducing their own rewards programme that, like most things from them recently, will be available via their app.
I assume that it will come in to place once the Velocity agreement dies at the end of the month.

 

[AIRwin]

I have learnt from Skybus that they will be introducing their own rewards programme that, like most things from them recently, will be available via their app.

Wonder if it'll have Silver/Gold/Platinum tiers?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Wonder if it'll have Silver/Gold/Platinum tiers?

Wonder if it will involve them selling your personal data like when activating the free wifi on board