Double Decker Skybus Melbourne

[robd]

Couldn't find that it's been reported here, so Mods, please delete if it has.

Airport City Express now running double decker buses.

https://www.skybus.com.au

I still think we need a rail link.

 

[TomVexille]

Heard a radio ad for it this afternoon. Bring on the rail.

 

[Hvr]

An interesting idea but I can see issues, e.g. who would trust their fellow travellers and leave their luggage at the bottom? Wonder why they don't have more articulated buses.

As per everyone else bring on the train.

 

[Flyer 777]

Well as to luggage how is this worse than on a train? Having used Sydney Airport and Gold Coast/ Brisbane Airport trains numerous times I hope we never get a Melbourne airport train service, it will be expensive, unreliable, difficult for luggage and infrequent. The Skybus service runs rings around Australian Airport Train Services and I hate buses.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well as to luggage how is this worse than on a train? Having used Sydney Airport and Gold Coast/ Brisbane Airport trains numerous times I hope we never get a Melbourne airport train service, it will be expensive, unreliable, difficult for luggage and infrequent. The Skybus service runs rings around Australian Airport Train Services and I hate buses.

Many of the negatives you say about the train apply to skybus IMO. It's hugely expensive for such a short ride, and the one time I caught it the bus was packed and there were many people standing the whole way in the aisles. On that basis, I don't think the skybus offers value for money.

 

[robd]

Well as to luggage how is this worse than on a train? Having used Sydney Airport and Gold Coast/ Brisbane Airport trains numerous times I hope we never get a Melbourne airport train service, it will be expensive, unreliable, difficult for luggage and infrequent. The Skybus service runs rings around Australian Airport Train Services and I hate buses.

Why would it be "expensive, unreliable, difficult for luggage and infrequent"? Adding another option to the duopoly that currently exists (bus & taxi), can only benefit everyone from tourists to locals. It would be great to free up the Tulla freeway from the east, so that it doesn't become a carpark every time a box of shoes falls off the back of a truck.

How would this affect you in any way living in Kialla?

 

[Flyer 777]

Right so you have used the other airport train services frequently? Expensive again do you use Airport Train Services? Luggage mmm what Airport train services gave dedicated luggage? Unreliable? Do use Airport train services? Oh and yes I use all 3 weekly often twice weekly.
Oh and lets not forget its Govt service, says it all, look at the current teain services:

 

[TomVexille]

I don't think the skybus offers value for money.

Don't forget that they removed the discount for buying a return fare

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don't forget that they removed the discount for buying a return fare

I appreciate there is a secondary shuttle which drops people off at hotels in the city... requires another bus (or two) and another driver (or two). And if you're taking the secondary shuttle, you're probably getting better vfm.

But this is a case where I'd like to see 'user pays'. If I just want Spencer Street, why am I subsidising the shuttles and drivers to the city hotels?

 

[TomVexille]

I appreciate there is a secondary shuttle which drops people off at hotels in the city... requires another bus (or two) and another driver (or two). And if you're taking the secondary shuttle, you're probably getting better vfm.

But this is a case where I'd like to see 'user pays'. If I just want Spencer Street, why am I subsidising the shuttles and drivers to the city hotels?

Got to agree. For a local the value is not very good.

We did try and use the shuttle pick up from HSW once. We were advised that it would take 60-90 minutes. Needless to say we walked.

 

[robd]

Right so you have used the other airport train services frequently? Expensive again do you use Airport Train Services? Luggage mmm what Airport train services gave dedicated luggage? Unreliable? Do use Airport train services? Oh and yes I use all 3 weekly often twice weekly.
Oh and lets not forget its Govt service, says it all, look at the current teain services:

I would love to be able to say that I have used the airport train service in Melbourne and complain about all those issues you are referring to. Instead, I will pay $120+ for a taxi driver who doesn't know where he/she is going or, get the Skybus into the city and then lug everything to the train station to a local service.

 

[Flyer 777]

Great if you can actually read the post it clearly states the other airport train services in Australia, do you really think being Victorian it's going to be so much different? Oh and sure it will run 24hrs and every ten minutes during the day. At least Skybus call up extra buses if busy that won't hapoen with a train.

 

[robd]

Great if you can actually read the post it clearly states the other airport train services in Australia, do you really think being Victorian it's going to be so much different? Oh and sure it will run 24hrs and every ten minutes during the day. At least Skybus call up extra buses if busy that won't hapoen with a train.

Quite honestly, it sounds like you have some self interest in not seeing another mode of transport from Melbourne airport into the city.

 

[UP4014]

The airport train service in Sydney is the same price or slightly cheaper than the skybus and runs at a maximum of 15 min intervals say on a sunday night.

Hardly worse than skybus and drops at 5 points in the city plus Central without changing vehicles for the same price.

If people want skybus it will survive once a rail service starts, and in Melbourne is way overdue.

Matt

 

[JessicaTam]

Skybus will do their darndest to keep rail off the agenda. This is another way of them trying to dominate the market.

Considering all train services in MEL have had increases in their service frequency, and as the proposed tunnel will improve that further, I don't see how a train every 10-15 minutes is not possible.

 

[UP4014]

Great if you can actually read the post it clearly states the other airport train services in Australia, do you really think being Victorian it's going to be so much different? Oh and sure it will run 24hrs and every ten minutes during the day. At least Skybus call up extra buses if busy that won't hapoen with a train.

A Sydney double deck train carries say 800 people, every 4 to 15 mins depending on time and day. How many skybusess need calling up for that? The Sydney train services runs longer than airport hours.

Brisbane is an issue but there are changes afoot.

Matt

 

[Flyer 777]

No self interest just lots of experience using the current airport train services and a number if missed flights. Try using the Brisbane service later evening? Melbourne does not realise how fortunate it is having 24hr reliable service. Us it the best? No but its better than any other Australian airport service.

 

[brett-au]

I always found the "we need a dedicated train with special luggage spaces" rather strange. Every city I've ever trained from the airport (Frankfurt, Singapore, HK, Narita) has always involved a transfer onto another train/subway. So, eventually you have to make do with the space you have.

I would like to see Sydney's airport station fee drop a few dollars, but it's far better to have it then not.

 

[opusman]

Now that the return journey discount has been removed I only use Skybus when I'm by myself. If travelling with mrsOpusman we just get a taxi to/from the city now since the price is almost the same.

 

[drivatruk]

I had a little chuckle to myself when i heard the advert on the radio for the double-decker sky bus and how you could rise it for no extra cost..... i would expect a discount as more seats per trip to reign in revenue than with a standard bus.