Road traffic congestion into Melbourne Airport

[lovestotravel]

Yes the off-airport buses have been moved to downstairs ONLY, and moved further away from the curb too.

A slightly annoying walk now, plus having to go upstairs to check-in

 

[nlagalle]

Finally got to test the exit off the Tulla this morning and it was a breeze..

 

[Melburnian1]

Were you travelling at a 'peak' time - say 0545 to 0845 going to the airport - or was it a little later when you might not particularly expect any delays?

 

[nlagalle]

Were you travelling at a 'peak' time - say 0545 to 0845 going to the airport - or was it a little later when you might not particularly expect any delays?

I was there right in the middle of the peak period at 6.45 which is about the same time each week I arrive. It was a noticeable difference. Even my driver who goes there several times a day said it had made a difference. In guessing he'd had a good idea on how it was going.

 

[Melburnian1]

It will be intruiging to see how long before the latest road improvements 'fill up' again. It may not sound like much, but if annual average passenger growth in flight usage is 5.5 per cent as against 2 per cent, it makes a huge difference in the amount of extra traffic due to the compounding effect of growth. 0645 is very much a peak time, so it's a good 'random' sample.

 

[nlagalle]

It will be intruiging to see how long before the latest road improvements 'fill up' again. It may not sound like much, but if annual average passenger growth in flight usage is 5.5 per cent as against 2 per cent, it makes a huge difference in the amount of extra traffic due to the compounding effect of growth. 0645 is very much a peak time, so it's a good 'random' sample.

Of course if you actually looked at the Airport master plan, you will see there is already plans in place to create another exit ring road.. go take a look. They aren't just sitting on their hands you know.

But i will hark back to my original point, remove the pedestrian crossing (which incidentally in the original plans was supposed to go over the road but was changed to reduce costs) and you will fix the traffic flow immensely. separate cabs/vha cars from the general public and it will be even better.

 

[Melburnian1]

I agree that the airport management is not sitting on its hands, but increasing the number of traffic entrances or exits to the airport (including a further road on top of the existing departures drop-off inner road) can only go so far. The problem with private vehicles is that (excluding the taxi drivers or what are now to be called called pre-booked only vehicle drivers - former VHA - if you looked at the taxi inquiry you'd know that), there is not much more than an average of one person per vehicle, which takes a large amount of road space when multiplied by the 15 million each way annual passenger movements, especially considering that like all regular public transport, Melbourne Airport has its peak demand times during the day or early evening (and, off a smaller but growing passenger base, for international flights departing between 2300 and 0100).

A rail line will not solve the problem totally, but it would markedly assist, particularly if it could gradually attract 15 per cent of airport passengers and five per cent of the staff - below what SYD has achieved, so realistic. The managing director of APAC (airport lessee) acknowledges this, although he cautions that a railway line 'is no silver bullet.'

 

[Melburnian1]

Any reports from travellers this week (particularly those going to the airport at the normal morning peak time of 0630 - 0830) would be welcome, as they will provide examples as to whether there is noticeably less congestion given that it is Victorian school holidays.

This coming Friday night will not be typical in the other direction as quite a few Dockers supporters will be arriving on flights from PER, or travelling PER - ADL - MEL or PER - SYD - MEL to get to the Grand Final.

 

[whughes3]

I was there yesterday morning (Sat 21st) and it was remarkably good; I recall that on another Saturday morning about a month ago it was mayhem, traffic banked back to Mickleham Rd, but in this case there was not much congestion at all. Considering that this was the first day of school holidays (the terminal and lounges were noticeably busier than usual for this time), this is specially pleasing.

 

[openseat]

This morning at around 5:55am it was back to the ring road interchange. It was stop start the rest of the way.

 

[Melburnian1]

Surprising, openseat, because in school holidays some business fliers would be on holiday. I would have thought that Saturday would have been a busier day for leisure travellers departing MEL than Monday morning.

 

[openseat]

Surprising, openseat, because in school holidays some business fliers would be on holiday. I would have thought that Saturday would have been a busier day for leisure travellers departing MEL than Monday morning.

I was also surprised for those reasons. In the end I only just made my flight since I had planned for less delay with the new road and being school holidays.

 

[Melburnian1]

In a few years given the usual preconstruction and construction timelines, we may nowfinally have a train to Melbourne Airport:

Coalition Government commits to Melbourne Airport Rail Link in State Budget - Premier of Victoria

Premier Denis Napthine promises Melbourne airport rail link

 

[Obzerva]

In a few years given the usual preconstruction and construction timelines, we may nowfinally have a train to Melbourne Airport:

Coalition Government commits to Melbourne Airport Rail Link in State Budget - Premier of Victoria

Premier Denis Napthine promises Melbourne airport rail link

I'm calling BS on that one, it's a state election year, all manner of public transport projects are promised in election years and what minor projects are delivered happen to fall just before an election so the government (regardless of which side of politics) shows some signs of progress, this year's for example will be the miraculously well timed removal of the level crossing at Springvale.

 

[Melburnian1]

Obzerva, your cynicism is understandable. The test will be whether there is 'serious' funding in the May Victorian state budget.

 

[nlagalle]

Obzerva, your cynicism is understandable. The test will be whether there is 'serious' funding in the May Victorian state budget.

The have put no timeline on its completion, so the money this year will be for a "feasibility" study... it'll keep people on the hook.

Considering the route will take 20 mins to get from SCS to the airport it isn't really that good. I'd be wanting something faster...

 

[Melburnian1]

nlagalle, a feasibility study was completed in 2013:

Melbourne Airport Rail Link Study - Public Transport Victoria

The latest statements have not promised '20 minutes.' They've said 'about 25.'

Bear in mind that during peak hours, the Skybus can take 45 minutes plus and does not drop off passengers at Sunshine or Footscray for connections to other Metro suburban lines (or trams and buses) as the airport rail link's trains will be able to do. It'll also eliminate that longish walk from the Skybus terminal to the Southern Cross Metro suburban or V/Line country platforms.

 

[nlagalle]

nlagalle, a feasibility study was completed in 2013:

Melbourne Airport Rail Link Study - Public Transport Victoria

And what's to stop them making some other report as that one doesn't cover something.. Not the first time a government has decided they need a new report to make it look like they are showing interest

The latest statements have not promised '20 minutes.' They've said 'about 25.'

Bear in mind that during peak hours, the Skybus can take 45 minutes plus and does not drop off passengers at Sunshine or Footscray for connections to other Metro suburban lines (or trams and buses) as the airport rail link's trains will be able to do. It'll also eliminate that longish walk from the Skybus terminal to the Southern Cross Metro suburban or V/Line country platforms.

Forgive my tardiness on the 5 minutes. I would want a trip to be 10 minutes from the airport to SCS. Footscray only connects with the west.. doesn't help those on the southern, some nothern or eastern lines. The fact it will be on shared tracks to Footscray, means it will be slower thanks to the congestion the lines between there already get. lets not forget another useless fact that Sunshine and Footscray are on the same line too. So really it's totally useless to the 12 other rail lines.. And the walk from the skybus to the station isn't that bad..

 

[Melburnian1]

The difference this time is that the govt of the day has made a pre Budget announcement that means it is highly likely that there will be a very high funding allocation in the May Budget. Otherwise there would be substantial negative comment from the community.

Once the appropriation bills go through Parliament and receive the Royal assent, it becomes difficult - note I didn't say 'impossible' - for a future government to not proceed.

But yes nlagalle, it is wise to be on your guard. After all, there have been a number of promises over the years to roof Melboune's 'Jolimont railyards' (the 'yards' no longer strictly exist) further east than Federation Square. It hasn't happened.

 

[whatmeworry]

nlagalle, a feasibility study was completed in 2013:

Melbourne Airport Rail Link Study - Public Transport Victoria

The latest statements have not promised '20 minutes.' They've said 'about 25.'

Bear in mind that during peak hours, the Skybus can take 45 minutes plus and does not drop off passengers at Sunshine or Footscray for connections to other Metro suburban lines (or trams and buses) as the airport rail link's trains will be able to do. It'll also eliminate that longish walk from the Skybus terminal to the Southern Cross Metro suburban or V/Line country platforms.

If the proposed line stopped at Footscray and Sunshine it would mean pax from Vline routes would not have to go all the way to the CBD.

Perhaps there a dedicated train from MEL to Sunshine Station only and you connect at Sunshine. To less the burden on the Sunbury line.