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

[Blackswan]

Just a heads up regarding Skybus departures at Southern Cross towards the Airport. Tickets are now being sold inside (towards the Hungry Jacks), and the departure stand is on the other side of the bus U-turn.

 

[MrHyde]

I don't believe Uber is a viable alternative to SkyBus. I have not taken an Uber from the airport - but have taken one from the city to the airport and it came to about $50. A taxi costs be $65 all up after all the fees and tolls... so an Uber was cheaper - but not as cheap as SkyBus.

What is the current story on Uber at MEL ? Are they allowed ? Is it a viable alternative to SkyBus ?

 

[opusman]

I don't believe Uber is a viable alternative to SkyBus. I have not taken an Uber from the airport - but have taken one from the city to the airport and it came to about $50. A taxi costs be $65 all up after all the fees and tolls... so an Uber was cheaper - but not as cheap as SkyBus.

If price is all that matters then train+901 is the obvious answer.

 

[Major]

What are the preferences with SkyBus, Jetbus and Starbus ?

 

[TomVexille]

I don't believe Uber is a viable alternative to SkyBus. I have not taken an Uber from the airport - but have taken one from the city to the airport and it came to about $50. A taxi costs be $65 all up after all the fees and tolls... so an Uber was cheaper - but not as cheap as SkyBus.

It starts to get a lot more competitive as soon as there's two people. My last uber to the airport was $38 (before discount).

 

[serfty]

What are the preferences with SkyBus, Jetbus and Starbus ?

Skybus is often far more convenient option if you are heading to the CBD - it's just there ... to use. Cost imay be a few dollars variance.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I took another trip to Melbourne airport via Broadmeadows on Sunday afternoon.

Current afternoon wait between the train arriving and the 901 turning up is around 22 minutes.

Time taken from Flinders street to the airport with the 22 minute wait was around 1 hour 10 minutes.

Craigieburn trains depart from platform 5 at Flinders Street.

I will be doing the journey in the opposite direction on Friday so hopefully the wait is a bit less than 22 minutes at BroadMeadows.

 

[blackcat20]

I notice theyre advertising "frequent flyer" passes (5 trips) but the value isnt that great. Puts is back around the pre-price rise price.

 

[defurax]

I notice theyre advertising "frequent flyer" passes (5 trips) but the value isnt that great. Puts is back around the pre-price rise price.

I just bought my second 5 trip ticket yesterday, at $17 one-way it's not too bad and the ticket is valid 12 months. I've never bought the 10 trip ticket...I guess I'm too lazy to stop by the kiosk to get one.

 

[opusman]

I was cleaning out some old receipts the other day and I found a Skybus ticket from 2007 for $24 for a return ticket.

From $24 to $38 in nine years, that's a 58% rise and over the same time the CPI has only gone up about 20% (and petrol has gone down, down, down).

 

[PLANT]

Yeah but more buses, Double decker and toll price rises...... Hence I catch the train, public bus option

 

[Buzzard]

I was cleaning out some old receipts the other day and I found a Skybus ticket from 2007 for $24 for a return ticket.

From $24 to $38 in nine years, that's a 58% rise and over the same time the CPI has only gone up about 20% (and petrol has gone down, down, down).

I'm not sticking up for SkyBus but you cant base simply on the CPI.
I for one don't know their operating cost increases but rent, rego, insurances, SGC and a whole host of things may have gone up by more than the CPI.
If you say the increase averages about $1.50/year it's not too bad IMHO.

 

[aaronm]

I've used Skybus a lot in the past but tried Uber to the airport on my most recent trip. $30 one way, for the convenience it's competitive with the $19 Skybus fare + $3.80 train ticket to get to Southern Cross.

 

[Major]

From a visitor's point of view I compare them with a taxi or uber. I just want to get to my City hotel in a reasonable amount of time at a reasonable price.

Public buses are not in my equation and as SkyBus del to the hotel for $38 return I consider that a great deal. You don't have to wait long and only involves 1 change.

I assume they have used some of their profits to upgrade their buses and the interchange.

Considering SYD and BNE rail ripoffs, which don't even get you to your hotel, SkyBus is very reasonable

 

[JessicaTam]

I took another trip to Melbourne airport via Broadmeadows on Sunday afternoon.

Current afternoon wait between the train arriving and the 901 turning up is around 22 minutes.

Time taken from Flinders street to the airport with the 22 minute wait was around 1 hour 10 minutes.

Craigieburn trains depart from platform 5 at Flinders Street.

I will be doing the journey in the opposite direction on Friday so hopefully the wait is a bit less than 22 minutes at BroadMeadows.

The 901 should be every 20 minutes on Sunday IIRC. So you must have "missed it by that much".

 

[Bundy Bear]

The 901 should be every 20 minutes on Sunday IIRC. So you must have "missed it by that much".

More like a random 30 minutes so I missed the previous bus by 8 minutes or so.

 

[Kremmen]

From $24 to $38 in nine years, that's a 58% rise and over the same time the CPI has only gone up about 20% (and petrol has gone down, down, down).

I'm sure they had to pay big bribes to Melbourne Airport to get them to put the public buses as far away as possible with no signage.

 

[JessicaTam]

More like a random 30 minutes so I missed the previous bus by 8 minutes or so.

Ahh got it, thanks.

 

[moa999]

I'm sure they had to pay big bribes to Melbourne Airport to get them to put the public buses as far away as possible with no signage.

Quite close if you fly Tiger

 

[Kremmen]

Quite close if you fly Tiger

Who does that?!

And even then, they would be half the distance if the stop was in the closest corner of the building instead of hidden away as far away as possible in the opposite corner.