New Cairns bus from Airport to CBD for 50c

[moa999]

Public transport is generally substantially subsidised due to social benefits (environmental and an option for all) but it's a question of degree.

Too low fares discourage additional investment, which is greatly needed in most Australian cities.

There's certainly an argument that you shouldn't have as much subsidy on airport routes as they are far more used on a discretionary basis or by those from out of state/ country (ie. Those not contributing to the tax base)

 

[moa999]

Brisbane Airtrain much like Sydney AirportLink were developed under a BOOT model which saved the govt lots of upfront $$s and will ultimately transfer back to the state.

The NSW Govt was basically broke funding all the other Olympic Infrastructure pre 2000 and the AirportLink basically wouldn't have been built without the agreement.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Public transport is generally substantially subsidised due to social benefits (environmental and an option for all) but it's a question of degree.

Too low fares discourage additional investment, which is greatly needed in most Australian cities.

There's certainly an argument that you shouldn't have as much subsidy on airport routes as they are far more used on a discretionary basis or by those from out of state/ country (ie. Those not contributing to the tax base)

Heavily used by employees though who happen to work at the airport and are entitled to have good PT options

 

[jastel]

Either that or convince the Australian government to seize the Airtrain by legislation. Or plant some dirt on the Airtrain execs so they can get out of the contract scot free or force the company to disband.

So, yeah, basically not happening.

Another classic case of some bonehead stuffy nutcase getting away with lots of moolah by mortgaging the future which they don't have to deal with.

Cairns could only get a public transport bus - no commuter trains, no existing viable tracks and suffice to say building a light rail would be massively an overpriced idea (though it would have damn well rubbed up someone's ego to the max if it happened). So... there's one. Suffice to say it will be interesting to see how well it is used, let alone whether all the bluster about how much Cairns and its tourism/industry will actually grow to bring in the predicted air traffic growth (preferably without having to rely on the AAIF crutch).

The local FB heroes are calling for a Monorail from Gordonvale to Palm Cove, including airport...this was a political idea from the 80's that gets revived every 10 years or so.
The big killer of this idea apart from being stupidly expensive is parking at the stops and that half the joint goes under water in the wet season.

The other one is use the Sugar Tram tracks, while this will use existing infrastructure they go nowhere near the city or the airport...and Im sure the citizens whose houses that back onto them would complain about continuous trains, rather than just a few months worth during the season like now.
Funny enough as kids we all "rode the rails" to our mates place by holding onto the bins...even though it was illegal and dangerous back then too.

A rail motor type train from Innisfail/Kuranda to Cairns a few times a day is possibly feasible but considering that QR cant even make the train drivers work in Brisbane I wont be holding my breath for that.

Id prefer they fixed the roads we have around the place still damaged and not fixed after cyclone Jasper 2.5 years ago.


Also take note that Skyrail is now CLOSED until Aug 19th for major replacement.
After this you can do Kuranda to Barron Falls loop only while they replace the Smithfield to Barron Falls bit until October/November. Check websites for details.

 

[markis10]

The 590 bus does go to to the suburb called Brisbane Airport, but people departing either terminal will still need an additional mode of transport.

The 590 connects with the free transfer bus that goes to both international and domestic terminals, caveat being that transfer bus is effectively operating 6aM to 6 PM only.

 

[anat0l]

There's certainly an argument that you shouldn't have as much subsidy on airport routes as they are far more used on a discretionary basis or by those from out of state/ country (ie. Those not contributing to the tax base)

Guess they could always have a scheme that greatly reduces fares for locals. I'd imagine there'd be a way to rort that.

I think there are special commuter fares for those who work at the airport. I don't know how significant the discount would be (i.e. notwithstanding someone not having their own vehicle, would it be worth it to a worker to get that fare); also not sure if that system could be rorted.

BNE and SYD are not the only ones with a train to the airport that has increased fares (i.e. more or even much more than a standard commute would be). I think we all lose our minds because we're not really used to paying special fares, especially when the fare to somewhere quite proximate to the airport is starkingly cheap in comparison. There's also an argument to be had whether the relative cost per distance makes the overall fare unpalatable compared to other train services around the world (I think there's another AFF thread all about this). Finally, we all think both of those services are run by arrogant, predatory jerks who have the respective local and state governments by the balls, so as far as being cheesed off, that's the cherry on the cake.

 

[markis10]

I think there are special commuter fares for those who work at the airport.

Airtrain Brisbane is $48 for a week, Sydney has a $35 cap on the airport access fee

 

[moa999]

don't know how significant the discount would be

In SYD there is a weekly cap on the airport surcharge (currently adults $36.36 vs $17.92 single surcharge).

I've actually occasionally benefited from this when traveling twice a week.

 

[QfHrGr]

BNE and SYD are not the only ones with a train to the airport that has increased fares ...

The SYD airport stations public/private contract is set to end May 2030, with it the gate surcharges. Can’t come soon enough. I think the NSW govt did consider buying Airport Link Co (the 2 airport stations' owner/operator) out a little while back but abandoned the idea because it would have cost too much.
Wonder if there's an end date for the BNE airtrains contract when the service will cease to be a private operation.
The CNS bus route will be a public transport service, much like the ADL J buses, PER trains/buses and MEL 901 buses, so I think would be seen as price gouging if it were to be priced differently.

 

[moa999]

Brisbane ends in May 2036.

Been some newspaper discussion that one of super funds values it at $45m (per Greens reportedly).. but I suspect this is equity value only.. and there is still a lot of debt (as per most infrastructure deals) with this..

Afaik the original construction cost was $220m and that's probably $400m + today.