Melbourne SkyBus gone up again

[opusman]

Damn, looks like I'll be burning $19 as my previously planned trip to MEL 3 weeks ago was cancelled by the fog and I doubt I'll get back there before the expiry date of the return journey (27 June).

There's always "Free to a good home"

 

[QF WP]

There's no guarantees either way as to whether I have used both sectors (you only have my word) and it would seem I can't get a refund (looking at https://www.skybus.com.au/refunds and having a less than exciting chat with "Rose" whose photo looked real but whose responses were decidedly automated - particularly after I said "Go Geelong tonight in the AFL "), so I'll let it lapse. Realised I've only burned $17.50 as it was a $35 return (through a VA offer IIRC)

 

[Buzzard]

Damn, looks like I'll be burning $19 as my previously planned trip to MEL 3 weeks ago was cancelled by the fog and I doubt I'll get back there before the expiry date of the return journey (27 June).

Oh well, the limo ride was better than a Skybus would have been

When I was in a similar situation I rang and had the validity of my ticket extended. Was quite surprised by the courteous service.

 

[travel193]

I agree with your sentiment, but I guess at the end of the day nobody would pay $19 to catch a bus to the shops. As long as people continue paying for the Skybus, they will continue charging these ridiculous prices.

I do think it's a joke that SkyBus advertises itself as a "budget" option.

When you limit all alternatives, of course people are going to pay. I caught the Skybus for years not knowing of the 901 bus option until I saw it on this fine forum. I know I'm not alone in being in the dark for so long. Even now I mostly catch the 901/train in spite, as the Skybus is usually the quicker option.

It enrages me that the Vic government continues to prop up the interests of Melbourne airport parking, Skybus and taxi companies at the expense of everyone using Melbourne Airport. A train line or far more affordable bus service is needed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A train line or far more affordable bus service is needed.

No guarantee Melbourne won't 'do a Syndey' and price the rail link to cover part of the cost to build the line. But even if it was $15, it would still get to the city more quickly than a bus.

 

[moa999]

You can almost guarantee that.

But unless it's a high speed express service I doubt it will be much quicker, particularly if they use it as an excuse to service some intermediate stations.

The bus generally travels in an uncongested express lane and I expect most trips would exceed the average the 80kph of a train service at top speed

 

[opusman]

The bus generally travels in an uncongested express lane and I expect most trips would exceed the average the 80kph of a train service at top speed

You obviously haven't done it recently

Travel times of over an hour are not uncommon. And the Tulla does not have (enforced) express lanes.

 

[travel193]

No guarantee Melbourne won't 'do a Syndey' and price the rail link to cover part of the cost to build the line. But even if it was $15, it would still get to the city more quickly than a bus.

Fair point. I would be willing to pay a premium for rail infrastructure though if it is indeed quicker. Paying such a premium for a bus service doesn't seem justified to me.
I hope such a line would still be cheaper than the Skybus.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

No guarantee Melbourne won't 'do a Syndey' and price the rail link to cover part of the cost to build the line.

As a Sydneysider let's also hope if MEL does do a train line they learn from Sydney's terrible decision to connect the airport line to the regular line with regular trains and regular (peak hour PAX) making so-called airport services too busy to cope with both SYD airport PAX and regular PAX and small carriages with no room for luggage!

Both SYD and MEL could easily sustain a dedicated airport express service...you know like many other countries have been doing for years.

 

[Melburnian1]

As a Sydneysider let's also hope if MEL does do a train line they learn from Sydney's terrible decision to connect the airport line to the regular line with regular trains and regular (peak hour PAX) making so-called airport services too busy to cope with both SYD airport PAX and regular PAX and small carriages with no room for luggage!
...

And yet, despite this, the Sydney Airport railway stations (Domestic and International) are doing extremely well in attracting passengers, partly due to shocking road traffic congestion.

 

[coles525]

Tell em there dreamin!

Airport link is a false promise ever since the airport was built.

Would love to be wrong, but adding a few lanes to the freeways & tollways every few years will make everything better.

 

[JessicaTam]

Tell em there dreamin!

Airport link is a false promise ever since the airport was built.

Would love to be wrong, but adding a few lanes to the freeways & tollways every few years will make everything better.

Trouble with the freeway expansions is that the roads are pretty well at capacity as soon as the extra lanes are added. Like a dog chasing it's tail.

 

[coles525]

Trouble with the freeway expansions is that the roads are pretty well at capacity as soon as the extra lanes are added. Like a dog chasing it's tail.

I totally agree with you, governments of the state will never learn or understand the public.

 

[Melburnian1]

Trouble with the freeway expansions is that the roads are pretty well at capacity as soon as the extra lanes are added. Like a dog chasing it's tail.

Another problem is that the freeway (and CityLink) is also trying to deal with significant suburban expansion along the way to Sunbury.

Hopeless to be just adding more lanes, because at some point the extra traffic has nowehere to go.

We need that rail line.

 

[whatmeworry]

As a Sydneysider let's also hope if MEL does do a train line they learn from Sydney's terrible decision to connect the airport line to the regular line with regular trains and regular (peak hour PAX) making so-called airport services too busy to cope with both SYD airport PAX and regular PAX and small carriages with no room for luggage!

Both SYD and MEL could easily sustain a dedicated airport express service...you know like many other countries have been doing for years.

I think if MEL does get the airport train, stops at Sunshine, Footscray and North Melbourne will probably be mandatory for most services, considering those three stations have Vline, Interstate, Metro connections. Even with the stops, travel time shouldn't be more then half an hour.

 

[whatmeworry]

Tell em there dreamin!

Airport link is a false promise ever since the airport was built.

Would love to be wrong, but adding a few lanes to the freeways & tollways every few years will make everything better.

One train can fit 2000 people. Imagine a service every 10-20 minutes. 6000-12000 people off the road.

 

[JessicaTam]

One train can fit 2000 people. Imagine a service every 10-20 minutes. 6000-12000 people off the road.

Current refurbished Metro train-sets hold 1526 at crush load, so realistically significantly fewer than that.

Edit: Oh, don't get me wrong that is still a significant number of people not clogging up the roads.

 

[coles525]

I think I've been misunderstood. I'm not saying no to a train line.

Every government since the 1950's has been putting it on the back burner.

It's said every few years, that we will look into an airport station, but does it or will it ever occur?

 

[Melburnian1]

I think I've been misunderstood. I'm not saying no to a train line.

Every government since the 1950's has been putting it on the back burner.

It's said every few years, that we will look into an airport station, but does it or will it ever occur?

It's a legitimate question but the difference now is that Melbourne Airport's management are saying one is required.

However, you are correct in that it seems a lot easier for roads to get funded, either new or widened.

 

[gizzard]

I think if MEL does get the airport train, stops at Sunshine, Footscray and North Melbourne will probably be mandatory for most services, considering those three stations have Vline, Interstate, Metro connections. Even with the stops, travel time shouldn't be more then half an hour.

I was amazed when I got the 901 from Broadmeadows a couple of weeks back how many people were getting on. It turned out that many had arrived there on V-Line and took advantage of the free included Myki to get to the airport.