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

[Aussie_flyer]

I'm not jealous of all you folk that want/need to take the Skybus... but if it makes you feel any better, 15% off as follow:

Enter the promo code FABFEB when buying any Melbourne City Express fare online. Promo code expires 28 February 2017 at midnight (AEDT). Adult Price:

- One-way: $15.30 (6 Months Expiry)
- Round Trip: $29.75 (6 Months Expiry)
- 5 Trips Saver: $72.25 (12 Months Expiry)

Well $14.45 for the 5 trip saver seems like a more reasonable price and about what it should be, not $19 etc

 

[serfty]

I am thinking the recent flurry of (albeit small) price reductions along with the Velocity tie up either indicates revenue is down or they are trying to promote web sales.

 

[Melburnian1]

I am thinking the recent flurry of (albeit small) price reductions along with the Velocity tie up either indicates revenue is down or they are trying to promote web sales.

The relatively recent purchase of much of SkyBus may have been at a fairly high price: earnings ratio.

If one looks at the statistics, it seems that growth in the domestic airline market is starting to or has softened, and may gradually fall below population growth if this trend continues. For many of us leisure travel is 'discretionary.' Even the more frequent leisure travellers can cut back a bit.

Mr Borghetti at VA continually says that the leisure travel market is soft. QF's recent profit slide may be partly connected to an asset sale in the previous December half year not repeating in the FY17 July - December six months, but it too may have experienced a reduction in passengers who are leisure travellers.

SkyBus may be quite dependent on this latter group rather than businessmen.

I don't know if Uber has had any negative effect for SkyBus - two or more travelling together might pay not much more to use Uber (depending on destination) than SkyBus, but would pay an appreciable amount more for a taxi.

Then there's all that publicity serfty gives the economical, and often quite reasonable, train/ route 901 SmartBus myki smartcard combination via Broadmeadows station.

 

[Bundy Bear]

You keep putting up the prices and very few people are getting a pay rise then you probably look for alternatives.

If there are 2 of you going from your hotel to the airport Uber is probably where you would look.

 

[Awesom Andy]

SkyBus may be quite dependent on this latter group rather than businessmen.

Most of the time, companies are willing to pay for taxis (either by the employee claiming with a receipt, or making payment through the corporate card). On the other hand, families travelling would be more likely to consider the SkyBus, with the hotels drop-offs, and up to 4 children can travel free of charge for every paying adult. Visitors might also be worried that cabs may take a longer route intentionally, as they are unfamiliar with the area.

I wonder if the savings of a few dollars would change the behaviour of the leisure travellers though. Those who use uber are already willing to pay a little bit more to get dropped off right in front of their destinations. Those who are thrifty would be using bus 901 - although it was still quiet empty when I took it last month. I was heading out to the east and it was actually easier to get the train from Broadmeadows and make 1 change somewhere in the cbd then to get dropped off at Southern Cross and try to figure out which direction the trains are running through the city loop. (I'm not a MEL local so that's the best I can figure out with those trains).

 

[QF WP]

I love the Skybus and haven't gone back to a taxi since I started 2-3 years ago. $19 is still significantly better than $60+ for a taxi (and I haven't done an Uber from the airport yet). All this talk of the 901 bus and train is making me think I'll have to check it out on one of my trips to MEL.

I'm fortunate that half of my clients are all on the lower end of Collins or a tram ride to South Melbourne from Southern Cross. The other half I cobble together in a hire car

 

[Mrmaxwell]

If there are 2 of you going from your hotel to the airport Uber is probably where you would look.

SkyBus is great if you're travelling solo and have time to kill.

If you're travelling with company then Uber is a no-brainer.

Taxis are a distant last...

 

[opusman]

Objectively, Skybus is definitely cheaper than a taxi for one person. Subjectively though, it just feels like such a ripoff.

 

[CaptJCool]

I love the Skybus and haven't gone back to a taxi since I started 2-3 years ago. $19 is still significantly better than $60+ for a taxi (and I haven't done an Uber from the airport yet). All this talk of the 901 bus and train is making me think I'll have to check it out on one of my trips to MEL

Just remember, if you don't have a myki card, you can buy one (or top-up) at one of the 3 machines at the airport in Terminal 2,3 or 4.... bus departs opposite Terminal 4 in the far end of the undercroft on the ground level

 

[QF WP]

Ah the joys of having a GoCard, Miki and Opal cards for all my travelling options...thanks for the update on where to get the top-ups. One day when I have lots of time before first appointment (or I'm with someone who has done it before), I'll give the 901+train a go.

 

[straitman]

Ah the joys of having a GoCard, Miki and Opal cards for all my travelling options...thanks for the update on where to get the top-ups. One day when I have lots of time before first appointment (or I'm with someone who has done it before), I'll give the 901+train a go.

OT for just a moment.

Wouldn't it be nice if they could make the GoCard, Miki and Opal cards overlapping as they do with the various Toll Tags around the country. (I'm dreaming again :!: )

 

[Awesom Andy]

It's bus 901. In Melbourne, you can top up Myki on the bus as well.

 

[TomVexille]

OT for just a moment.

Wouldn't it be nice if they could make the GoCard, Miki and Opal cards overlapping as they do with the various Toll Tags around the country. (I'm dreaming again :!: )

Like they do in Japan

 

[QF WP]

It's bus 901. In Melbourne, you can top up Myki on the bus as well.

Thanks for the heads up, Awesom Andy. Have changed it lest anyone tries to look for the wrong bus number at MEL...

 

[moa999]

OT for just a moment.

Wouldn't it be nice if they could make the GoCard, Miki and Opal cards overlapping as they do with the various Toll Tags around the country. (I'm dreaming again :!: )

Would be nice but won't happen. All different versions of Mifare Desfire cards and no-one would want to share their secret keys with someone else.
The security is actually quite different to toll tags as the 'balance' is effectively stored on the card (card is king) rather than being a virtual account on the tolls.

Has been mentioned that the ACT is thinking of replacing their current system (which is heavily based on Perth's) to NSWs Opal.

With future implementation of credit cards, the need for cooperation will fall.

-+

As for Melbourne while it's great you can top up on board, or at the Terminal, they are missing a machine at the most obvious spot (mind you so is Sydney)

 

[Awesom Andy]

As for Melbourne while it's great you can top up on board, or at the Terminal, they are missing a machine at the most obvious spot (mind you so is Sydney)

And it's something that Adelaide manages to get it right.

 

[boomy]

$5 off using MasterPass - down to $13 one way.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/2...medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter_am

 

[serfty]

Also, www.skybus.com.au/offers/save-with-masterpass/

 

[QF WP]

A slight aside as I have purchased a return at the higher prices, used the inbound but a generous soul at my Conference allowed me to ride in his Limo so I still have the return to use. Can I use it for either trip (in or out) on my next trip to MEL (understand about 6 month validity) or do I need to purchase a one way AIrport to Southern Cross and use the unused return for my eventual return to MEL?

not too fussed if I have to burn the return...

 

[Hvr]

Can I use it for either trip (in or out) on my next trip to MEL (understand about 6 month validity) <snip>.

Yes, you can use it either way.