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

[serfty]

Talking about the 901, I was looking at using it on Friday, depending on when my flight lands vs when my vline train leaves. Do they have somewhere to charge myki at the airport? I tried doing online, but it no longer accepts foreign credit cards (nor does it accept my Australian Citibank EK mastercard). ...

They have vending machines for myki in both the QF and VA baggage halls ... I haven't used them there but the ones I have used elsewhere allow top ups ...

 

[dajop]

They have vending machines for myki in both the QF and VA baggage halls ... I haven't used them there but the ones I have used elsewhere allow top ups ...

Ok thanks.

 

[Dalescott]

I'm waiting for the airport train and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting......................................

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I complained on twitter a few weeks ago they replied:

@skybusmelbourne: In the past sevens years our adult ticket has increased by only $2, which is less the rate of inflation.In this time, the cost of doing business has gone up. We are also making a range of improvements to SkyBus.. Including wifi on all our buses, extra services and upgrading our fleet. We can no longer offer a discount for return fares. We hope that you continue to travel with SkyBus, but understand you have other transport options.

Load of bollocks. Im off to the train too.

 

[Melburnian1]

While we urgently need an airport train linking Southern Cross and Melbourne Airport, in the meantime (long time), mykis can also be topped up (assuming the machine is working) on any bus including the 901 SmartBus. Just present your myki and money (including coins) to the bus driver (although try not to give him a $50 or $100 note, or even a $20 note - they carry a limited float.) You then have to touch on your myki (this does not happen automatically when you top up the balance on board a bus.)

Now that Skybus return fares have (on 6 March 2015) gone up to $36 return (but $18 single), there is no incentive for anyone to buy a return ticket, especially since some time ago the validity of the return portion was reduced to three months not six. $36 return is highway robbery. The new owners must be making megabucks (and the Victorian Government also taking its 7.5 per cent or so cut.)

I am with others: the price of Skybus has gone up so much that if travelling for leisure or even on a weekday before 2100 hours for business, it can be far more sensible to pay the dramatically cheaper two hour validity myki fare of A$3.76 on route 901 and connect to or from the Metro train at Broadmeadows at no additional cost if boarding each vehicle within the two hour period. A day return including travelling on as many trams, trains and buses ion both Melbourne zones is only A7.52.

Unfortunately it is possible that in June 2015 with revised public transport timetables that the frequency of route 901 on the northwestern portion of its long journey (i.e. including Melbourne Airport) may be reduced to a bus every 20 minutes on weekdays instead of the current 15 minute frequency until 2100. That would be most unfortunate, especially since the numbers travelling have risen on route 901 as more of us become aware of it, or experience the at times terrible traffic congestion on CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway, including when one is sitting inside (or standing!) on a Skybus.

 

[dajop]

There is possibly a good case for an airport rail link. It would be naive to assume that it will be cheaper than current Skybus prices though. I would expect it to be more expensive than Sydney Airport Rail.

 

[UP4014]

There is possibly a good case for an airport rail link. It would be naive to assume that it will be cheaper than current Skybus prices though. I would expect it to be more expensive than Sydney Airport Rail.

Depends on how it is funded, if funded as a social service by the Govt then it should just be regular pricing. But, they will want to get private equity and then they charge a premium because they need to make a profit over providing a social service.

I note Skybus years ago was given govt funding to buy new buses and of course the govt maintains the special lanes for them.

Sydney should have funded it themselves the whole line not just part and have private stations on a goverment network.

Matt

 

[JessicaTam]

Talking about the 901, I was looking at using it on Friday, depending on when my flight lands vs when my vline train leaves. Do they have somewhere to charge myki at the airport? I tried doing online, but it no longer accepts foreign credit cards (nor does it accept my Australian Citibank EK mastercard).

My (very personal) complaint is they don't have a regular bus to Sunbury that connects to/from vline trains on the Bendigo line. That would be handy, as its only 20-30 mins to Sunbury, vs the long detour via Southern Cross. Although if paying $18 for skybus, and train fare $7 more ex-Southern X, a taxi to Sunbury may be better.

The 479 operates M-F hourly from 0600-1900 if that helps. but only twice on Sat and Sun.

 

[coles525]

As others have said: 901 bus.

Regular international travel (when flights allow train service) user.

- Walk to station (4am ish has been 1st train!) to catch a connecting train(s) rolling your suitcases loudly on the road or footpath.

- Change platforms at either flinders st or Spencer st (southern x for the new folks!).

- Change to the craigieburn line, getting off at broady. (broadmeadows!)

- walk to the bus stop directly out the station for the final leg to qff T1. (unless stop has again changed!)..

Simple facts:

I don't care if anyone wishes to complain if I / we seem to be blocking seats due to our luggage! If others want it fixed, make the airport train! (like the HK express!).

To make sure you don't stress, check all train time tables and 901 bus website and sllow for extra time, just incase something is delayed or cancelled.

It all saves hours, stress, and money!

 

[MrHyde]

It does not help the 901 case when the PTV Journey Planner only shows you Skybus options from the city to the airport even when Skybus is unticked in the search options.

 

[coles525]

dont goto ptv. goto the skybus website directly.

will look it up now

 

[coles525]

It does not help the 901 case when the PTV Journey Planner only shows you Skybus options from the city to the airport even when Skybus is unticked in the search options.

http://tt.ptv.vic.gov.au/tt/XSLT_TT...ttb&outputFormat=1&contentFilter=TIMINGPOINTS

 

[serfty]

The 479 operates M-F hourly from 0600-1900 if that helps. but only twice on Sat and Sun.

Sadly, unless things have changed in the last six months, those services don't link up with a rail station any more. (Although you can do the tram out to Airport West.)

 

[AdMEL]

It does not help the 901 case when the PTV Journey Planner only shows you Skybus options from the city to the airport even when Skybus is unticked in the search options.

Interesting. Did not realise you could untick Skybus! But you are correct, it still shows.

I've seen the PTV journey planner not provide route options I know about many times. I suspect this is because the PTV journey planner is programmed to always provide the quickest options. This makes sense given most people are time sensitive and probably the most common reason people don't like, or won't use, public transport is that it is not time efficient.

I guess this could be overcome by an option to provide all possible route options. Unfortunately I doubt that is likely to happen, even if feedback was provided. I rely on public transport (don't own a car) and we have some great infrastructure in Melbourne, but I have come to the conclusion that most of the staff don't give a damn about passengers.

 

[opusman]

There are no special lanes for Skybus that I know of.

 

[seanpodge]

Re: the PTV journey planner, the new government has forced the Department of Transport to finally release the timetable data in the format used by Google, so in a month or two we might actually be able to use Google maps to plan a journey like the rest of Australia (and much of the world, for that matter). Would be good if they show the 901 option prominently.

There are no special lanes for Skybus that I know of.

Nope. The journey times can really blow out from the advertised 20 minutes in the morning and afternoon peak hours. Has been one of the main reasons people have been arguing for a rail line to the airport.

 

[whatmeworry]

Strange, last week the PTV website was showing the Broady/901 option. Don't know why the site is showing Skybus, even when unticked. Oh well, I guess one must now select Broady as their destination and then find the 901 stop.

 

[Hvr]

Strange, last week the PTV website was showing the Broady/901 option. Don't know why the site is showing Skybus, even when unticked. Oh well, I guess one must now select Broady as their destination and then find the 901 stop.

Try the earlier/later button and see if the option to go via Broadmeadows appears.

 

[JessicaTam]

Sadly, unless things have changed in the last six months, those services don't link up with a rail station any more. (Although you can do the tram out to Airport West.)

Starts/terminates at Sunbury Metro/V-Line station.

 

[serfty]

Starts/terminates at Sunbury Metro/V-Line station.

Fair enough ... for those in the southern regions, the 901 is more efficient. (The 478/479 from Essendon was 20 minutes quicket than the 901.)