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

[UP4014]

It's not uncommon for a business generating the revenue Sky Bus does to make that much profit.

No problem at all with making a profit, but, and please correct me if I have this wrong, it's a Govt protected private monopoly? Or could I buy a bus or two and start my own service?


Matt

 

[jetpack]

I always assumed that Melbourne Airport had an interest in Skybus and so they want to keep every other form of public transport option out. Isn't that the reason they pushed the 901 bus stop out past T4? I remember reading the government wanted to bring the bus stop back closer to the terminal but MEL wanted a fee per passenger that used the public bus. I have since assumed that the only reason the public bus stop is now outside T1 is because of the renovations outside T4.

 

[defurax]

Just saw that Skybus jumped from $30 to $36 for a return ticket!!! 20% increase overnight:evil:

I just realised the increase happened on March 6 and by pure coincidence I bought 3 tickets on March 5.
So essentially they removed the discount for buying a return ticket. Now $18 one way and $36 return.

 

[whatmeworry]

I guess skybus is just giving more incentive to use public buses.





The following public bus services arrive and depart from Melbourne Airport:

• SmartBus Route 901 Melbourne Airport to Frankston – connects to Craigieburn line at Broadmeadows Station
• Route 478 Airport West SC - Melbourne Airport via Melrose Drive
• Route 479 Airport West SC - Sunbury Station via Melbourne Airport
• Route 482 Airport West SC - Melbourne Airport via South Centre Rd - See more at: Public Buses & Bus Services Driving To And From The Melbourne Airport | Melbourne Airport

 

[Hvr]

No problem at all with making a profit, but, and please correct me if I have this wrong, it's a Govt protected private monopoly? Or could I buy a bus or two and start my own service?


Matt

In your dreams. BusVic is the industry lobby group and they like a closed shop with lots of subsidies.

 

[Himeno]

Could they be "simplifying" the fares to add the skybus to Myki?

 

[Melburnian1]

Skybus was sold last year, in about September. There was a small newspaper article at the time. The Cowen family retained some interest in the business, but the purchase price was $30 million or so if my memory is correct, needless to say resulting in a huge profit to the (previous) owners:

New owner for Skybus, Melbourne | News | Australasian Bus and Coach Australia

I have used route 901 to and from Broady station quite a bit. When it is operating at 15 minute intervals, it is an excellent service, although during offpeak times not every bus connects to a train with the same gap as the trains offpeak run every 20 minutes. The number of passengers using route 901 has risen, but hordes of passengers do not know that it exists nor that during peak periods it can sometimes almost be as quick as Skybus if there are the all too frequent delays on the Tullamarine Freeway and/or CityLink. The suburban trains lack specific luggage facilities but given that the fare one way is under $4 for an adult, that's an inconvenience with which many would put up with if only they knew about catching a Metro train to or from Broadmeadows and then the 901 SmartBus.

 

[opusman]

It's getting very close to the point where for 2 pax you may as well just get a taxi to the CBD rather than Skybus. Certainly 3 or more a taxi would now be cheaper in most cases.

 

[leadman]

I guess skybus is just giving more incentive to use public buses.

The following public bus services arrive and depart from Melbourne Airport:

• SmartBus Route 901 Melbourne Airport to Frankston – connects to Craigieburn line at Broadmeadows Station
• Route 478 Airport West SC - Melbourne Airport via Melrose Drive
• Route 479 Airport West SC - Sunbury Station via Melbourne Airport
• Route 482 Airport West SC - Melbourne Airport via South Centre Rd - See more at: Public Buses & Bus Services Driving To And From The Melbourne Airport | Melbourne Airport

The 901 runs almost past my door, but the problem its only 1/2 way through its 4 hour trip to the airport; a long bus run. And those buses 901/902/903 are not really traveller friendly for storage of bags for more than 20 minutes of the ride. its a pity they did not do something like some Transit systems do (even in LA!!!) where a few of them are express services missing the "rats & Mice" stops....

 

[serfty]

Train it to Broady ... from there it's a 15 minute trip on the bus to/from the Airport ...

Sad the 478/479 no longer go past Essendon R/S - that was 20 minutes quicker than using the 901.

 

[slc767338]

I saw the price hike just after it was introduced - now it's plain daylight robbery.

Ordinarily I just use the 901 from/to Broadmeadows if departing during daylight hours or Drive in, Uber or get Chauffeured in if an early departure.

Until recently Skybus would've been on that list (potentially 30+ round trips annually) but with the latest price increase I see no advantage to using their services. Their loss really, I still get to the airport but they just lose out on however many thousands of my monies

 

[opusman]

Train it to Broady ...

I would walk rather than catch a Melbourne train

 

[Revolio]

At least in Melbourne you get a seat. Waited at Sydney Central with my $16 plus fare deducted from my Opal card only to watch 3 airport trains in a row go past absolutely chockers. Full of passengers with their $3.20 fares to destinations many multiples of the Central to the stop after Mascot distance. If you are going to charge gigantic fares at least put on a dedicated service. Absolute joke.

 

[serfty]

I would walk rather than catch a Melbourne train

Fair enough ... I catch an average of about 17 trains each week so armed with my annual zone 1 myki pass it costs me nothing extra to get to the airport when Iam time rich.

FWIW it is now $150 for a 10 trip card.

 

[smit0847]

I’m also less inclined to use the Skybus than I used to be. I think its aimed at tourists/visitors more than locals anyway. It is very convenient if you work in the city and need to go straight to the airport after work but if you are leaving from home (ie on a Saturday morning) then after a lot of research I’ve found it to be cheaper and more convenient to drive and park at an off-site. I live in the inner North and a tram to SX and then Skybus to the airport on a Saturday would take just over an hour, whereas driving to an off-site would be close to 30 minutes. I used to use Melbourne Airport Long Term until I realised it was a painful rip-off where you spend ages searching for a space and then wait for a fairly long bus ride to the terminal. It’s a better set-up with the off-sites because you park right next to the bus (both at the start and end of the trip) and the bus trip is the same length of time because you’re not making stops and I’ve never waited more than a few minutes for the bus.

I’ve been using both Alpha and Elite – Alpha is the cheapest off-site I’ve found, Elite is slightly more expensive but more upmarket – brand new mini vans, nice offices etc. After numerous bookings, Alpha has now given me a 15% off VIP card making it even cheaper. 3 days a few weeks ago was $21, 5 days over this Easter is $34. That to me is extremely good value. I usually travel with my partner so for the two of us its much cheaper, quicker and more convenient to drive and park at an off-site.

 

[blackcat20]

I’m also less inclined to use the Skybus than I used to be. I think its aimed at tourists/visitors more than locals anyway. It is very convenient if you work in the city and need to go straight to the airport after work but if you are leaving from home (ie on a Saturday morning) then after a lot of research I’ve found it to be cheaper and more convenient to drive and park at an off-site. I live in the inner North and a tram to SX and then Skybus to the airport on a Saturday would take just over an hour, whereas driving to an off-site would be close to 30 minutes. I used to use Melbourne Airport Long Term until I realised it was a painful rip-off where you spend ages searching for a space and then wait for a fairly long bus ride to the terminal. It’s a better set-up with the off-sites because you park right next to the bus (both at the start and end of the trip) and the bus trip is the same length of time because you’re not making stops and I’ve never waited more than a few minutes for the bus.

I’ve been using both Alpha and Elite – Alpha is the cheapest off-site I’ve found, Elite is slightly more expensive but more upmarket – brand new mini vans, nice offices etc. After numerous bookings, Alpha has now given me a 15% off VIP card making it even cheaper. 3 days a few weeks ago was $21, 5 days over this Easter is $34. That to me is extremely good value. I usually travel with my partner so for the two of us its much cheaper, quicker and more convenient to drive and park at an off-site.

We always price up the airport car park and the offsite parka before booking. The only time we take skybus is when we know we will be drinking the day we return and won't be safe to drive (eg barossa trip).

 

[Awesom Andy]

I think they have worked out that, by increasing fare by 20%, they might not lose 20% of pax, and hence increases profit. Have to admit though, the first time I've ever opened a train door myself was heading into the city after arriving in MEL last year...

 

[samh004]

Train it to Broady ... from there it's a 15 minute trip on the bus to/from the Airport ...

I'm with serfty here, this is the only method I use now.

 

[seanpodge]

Not that I'm a regular user of the service, but I'd certainly be using the 901 from now on. I know it takes a while for train lines to be built, but the state government should really just up the frequency of the 901 or better yet launch a competing bus service from the CBD which charges a standard fare and promote it properly.

 

[dajop]

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.