Six million people a year would use train to Melbourne Airport

[whatmeworry]

In the biggest no cough Sherlock study ever, people will embrace rail to MEL, however I think $16 is a bit steep.

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[opusman]

HEx is £20 one way for a similar distance, so $16 seems like a bargain.

 

[whatmeworry]

At the moment you could use public buses to the train network for at least two thirds the price. Ok you it might take you a bit longer but is the premium worth it? Regardless I hope the link is built and the current public transport connections are kept.

 

[RooFlyer]

Despite not being a public transport sort of guy, I often use the Skybus at MEL. Convenient terminal-to-Southern Cross Station and $16 one way IIRC. Onwards bus to hotel if wanted.

If there was a dedicated MEL to city train line like HEX, running often, I would probably use; but if its like Sydney's 'Airport train' (just part of the regular train system), the bus would be the better option (quicker and more straightforward).

 

[BAM1748]

Despite not being a public transport sort of guy, I often use the Skybus at MEL. Convenient terminal-to-Southern Cross Station and $16 one way IIRC. Onwards bus to hotel if wanted.

you look like you have a bit of airline status, do you not consider commercial airlines public transport?

I'd use a train in Melbourne for that price, I'm ok with using public transport in any foreign city if I can work out how to buy a ticket!

m

 

[markis10]

At the moment you could use public buses to the train network for at least two thirds the price. Ok you it might take you a bit longer but is the premium worth it? Regardless I hope the link is built and the current public transport connections are kept.

Your a bit out of touch with reality if you think airports and public transport don't involve premiums, look at Brisbane or Sydney which has similar fares but a lot closer to the city. Unfortunately both involve a hybrid system where there is no express option to the CBD and use the same rolling stock as metro rail. I think the KLIA express at KUL is what most users would like to see, $10 each way, on board WiFi for free and high frequency and the choice of express or one that stops at some metro stations.

 

[cmon0005]

Your a bit out of touch with reality if you think airports and public transport don't involve premiums, look at Brisbane or Sydney which has similar fares but a lot closer to the city. Unfortunately both involve a hybrid system where there is no express option to the CBD and use the same rolling stock as metro rail. I think the KLIA express at KUL is what most users would like to see, $10 each way, on board WiFi for free and high frequency and the choice of express or one that stops at some metro stations.

Klia express is fantastic I reckon something like that would be a winner here.

 

[OATEK]

Your a bit out of touch with reality if you think airports and public transport don't involve premiums, look at Brisbane or Sydney which has similar fares but a lot closer to the city. Unfortunately both involve a hybrid system where there is no express option to the CBD and use the same rolling stock as metro rail. I think the KLIA express at KUL is what most users would like to see, $10 each way, on board WiFi for free and high frequency and the choice of express or one that stops at some metro stations.

The key issue is whether the train will be an express point to point service, or rather part of the suburban system that slews off to the airport (seems more likely the latter). The HKG airport express is a brilliant service, but I would be very surprised if anything approaching that was being proposed for Melbourne.

 

[Grogan]

$16 is a bargain for an airport train. I use airport trains when ever possible, beats paying $50 for a cab. It is hard to believe that Melbourne does not have one.

 

[cmon0005]

$16 is a bargain for an airport train. I use airport trains when ever possible, beats paying $50 for a cab. It is hard to believe that Melbourne does not have one.

I would happily pay $16 one way if it was a guaranteed airport train, express to the airport from the city. None of this rubbish like Sydney's 'Airtrain' stopping all stations on suburban rolling stock.

 

[RooFlyer]

you look like you have a bit of airline status, do you not consider commercial airlines public transport?

I'd use a train in Melbourne for that price, I'm ok with using public transport in any foreign city if I can work out how to buy a ticket!

m

Er, no. To me 'public transport' is government run trains & busses. YMMV.

But I'm with you on the second bit!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I would happily pay $16 one way if it was a guaranteed airport train, express to the airport from the city. None of this rubbish like Sydney's 'Airtrain' stopping all stations on suburban rolling stock.

Stopping all stations? Its 10 minutes Domestic to Central.... with 2 stops in between. Is that a big deal?

 

[markis10]

Stopping all stations? Its 10 minutes Domestic to Central.... with 2 stops in between. Is that a big deal?

It is when its peak hour and you cannot get on-board with luggage.

 

[medhead]

Er, no. To me 'public transport' is government run trains & busses. YMMV.

But I'm with you on the second bit!

The public bit does not refer to who owns it or pays for it. It refers to the fact that it is available to the public to use for a fee. Commercial airlines sure ain't private transport.

 

[RooFlyer]

As much as I'd like to see it, a train like KLIA or Arlandia (Stockholm) or even HK Express are not great comparisons, as the distance from the Airport to City is relatively large - I think 60-70km for the former 2, 30km for HK - and that allows the first 2 to crank up to abt 160km/hr.

Tulla to Melbourne downtown is only abt 20km as the crow flies.

Be hard to think that any line between Tulla and downtown would be a direct express; investors would want to capture at least some suburban traffic.

 

[medhead]

It is when its peak hour and you cannot get on-board with luggage.

Really. I've yet to see someone who can't get on board during the Monday morning peak.

 

[RooFlyer]

The public bit does not refer to who owns it or pays for it. It refers to the fact that it is available to the public to use for a fee. Commercial airlines sure ain't private transport.

Well, good-o, but I mentioned that I was giving my particular "definition" and again, YMMV. 'kay?

 

[cmon0005]

Stopping all stations? Its 10 minutes Domestic to Central.... with 2 stops in between. Is that a big deal?

That's assuming I would get on at Central, getting on at Circular Quay with all other non-airport tourists and with baggage is a pain at any time, I guess what I am getting at is it should be a dedicated shuttle service from Central to the airport, and not pick up non-airport pax, taking up valuable seats and luggage space.

 

[medhead]

That's assuming I would get on at Central, getting on at Circular Quay with all other non-airport tourists and with baggage is a pain at any time, I guess what I am getting at is it should be a dedicated shuttle service from Central to the airport, and not pick up non-airport pax, taking up valuable seats and luggage space.

Circular quay is just about the best place to get on the train to avoid crowds. That's simply due to the dynamics of the city circle.

Well, good-o, but I mentioned that I was giving my particular "definition" and again, YMMV. 'kay?

Well how do you define commercial airlines then? Certainly you can have you own definition. But problems will arises when your own definition is not the same as the generally accepted definition.

Certainly it's pretty narrow to say that only government paid and run transport is public transport. In that case the trains to BNE and SYD are not public transport being contracted by private companies - not governments.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>


Well how do you define commercial airlines then? Certainly you can have you own definition. But problems will arises when your own definition is not the same as the generally accepted definition.

<snip>

I'd define commercial airlines as entities that fly aircraft commercially. I know my definition of public transport may not be generally accepted one - that's why I gave it and specified it as my own.

Sorry for the silly reply, but just reflecting the way this discussion is going.