Six million people a year would use train to Melbourne Airport

I use the train at Sydney airport all the time, even if flying to Europe as long as its just me alone.

Specially for 1 day domestic trips no way I'd risk driving or taxi/uber etc.
Last time I went to Melbourne, it was for a 2hr meeting at the MCG.
Then I spent close to 2hrs in an uber from the MCG back to the airport.

unless they make bus lanes buses won't solve the issue. train is a must!
Melbourne used to be ahead of Sydney in everything, here its fallen behind
 
Perhaps those of you talking about taking 1.5-2 hrs getting to the airport, need to incorporate some trains into your journey already. A train to Broadmeadows + Uber from there. Shouldn't take more than an hour from CBD!

I am thankful that more people don't go the "back way" to the airport (via Keilor Park and Airport Drive), it is does take a fair bit longer route when traffic is light, but is more reliable and consistent. in terms of travel time.
 
I am thankful that more people don't go the "back way" to the airport (via Keilor Park and Airport Drive), it is does take a fair bit longer route when traffic is light, but is more reliable and consistent. in terms of travel time.

They will if you tell them. Shhhhh!
 
it would be cheaper to have dedicated bus lanes. - possible wit the planned road works. you can guarantee the airport owners will gouge like sydney airport and fares will be much higher than the current skybus.

For the $10B cost being proposed surely there's investments of public funds that provide a better return.
 
Earlier this year I decided to use Skybus from Spencer St to the Airport - 5pm on Friday afternoon. Cost $16.20 (10% discount).

The bus did not arrive at T3 until 6:05pm.

Last month on a Friday at 5pm, I tool a 5pm train Flinders St. to Broadmeadows and a 901 bus to the airport. Cost was moot as I had a 365 day Myki pass.

The 901 bus arrived T4 at 5:55pm.

And the kicker...on the PTV website you would have never seen this quickest journey time on the standard settings. It is ridiculous that they don’t promote the Broadmeadows/901 option.
 
You're looking at it the wrong way. The Tulla freeway is an extension of Melbourne airport's signature product. Car parking.

I am sure Transurban and Melbourne airport execs have some raucous catch ups on every new deal that gets done with the freeway! And although we don’t see it publicly there is no doubt skybus and transurban lobbyists in the background saying ‘a train isn’t needed’.
 
What I cannot figure is why there aren’t advertising signs all the way along this road. So much potential for a billion dollar addition to this toll road.
 
I saw on the news just now that an airport rail link has been confirmed with a start date in 2022 - is this new news ?
 
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I saw on the news just now that an airport rail link has been confirmed with a start date in 2022 - is this new news ?

Okay looks like the Vic State ALP Government will put up $6 billion to match Federal government’s April $6 b announcement with the plan to start building in 2022 (when new CBD line is completed) but they are still arguing over the route. Assuming they can agree to the route and both ALP Federal Oppositon and LIB Vic State Opposition also agree (so election results don’t matter), this may finally but about to happen.

I’ll believe it when I see signed contacts and an appointed builder with a few steps to get over still but a little closer than yesterday.

Melbourne airport rail up and away with Andrews government $5b pledge
 
Okay looks like the Vic State ALP Government will put up $6 billion to match Federal government’s April $6 b announcement with the plan to start building in 2022 (when new CBD line is completed) but they are still arguing over the route. Assuming they can agree to the route and both ALP Federal Oppositon and LIB Vic State Opposition also agree (so election results don’t matter), this may finally but about to happen.

I’ll believe it when I see signed contacts and an appointed builder with a few steps to get over still but a little closer than yesterday.

Melbourne airport rail up and away with Andrews government $5b pledge


With Melbourne set to become Australia's largest city again (last time was in 1901) upgrading of rail throughout the total sprawl projects such as this are sorely needed and must multiply in scope. A link to the airport should be just part of this. Hopefully this project on top of the current underground expansion will see it becoming an ongoing project to keep adding more underground lines.

Just back from Stockholm and Copenhagen and even these two much smaller cities have clearly been improving their undegrounds of late. Melbourne has been dragging the chain despite being a much larger city.
 
With Melbourne set to become Australia's largest city again (last time was in 1901) upgrading of rail throughout the total sprawl projects such as this are sorely needed and must multiply in scope. A link to the airport should be just part of this. Hopefully this project on top of the current underground expansion will see it becoming an ongoing project to keep adding more underground lines.

Just back from Stockholm and Copenhagen and even these two much smaller cities have clearly been improving their undegrounds of late. Melbourne has been dragging the chain despite being a much larger city.
110% agree. The metro expansion should only be the start. Airport link next step and then look at the LIB state opposition expansion ideas.
 
Under the plan put forward, to route it thru Sunshine. It will become an extention of the metro service, slow, crowded and no room for large suitcases. I cannot image that they will specially made trains for the new line. The lack of storage space for the suitcases will be an issue, and can you image peak hour and suitcase. We won't even talk about the youth violence which is a problem after dark.
 
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Under the plan put forward, to route it thru Sunshine. It will become an extention of the metro service, slow, crowded and no room for large suitcases. I cannot image that they will specially made trains for the new line. The lack of storage space for the suitcases will be an issue, and can you image peak hour and suitcase. We won't even talk about the youth violence which is a problem after dark.
I don't think there is that level of detail yet. The regional trains run through Sunshine, so no need to be limited to the metro network/rolling stock.
 
Details to be worked out but I’d imagine a limited express type arrangement maybe city loop - sunshine - xx_ - airport would be best with an airport gate price (based on Syd approach model). A stops all stations arrangement gets too many suburban pax which causes the crowding issues (and I guess safety but I don’t notice that on Cragieburn line I take every night homebettwen 6-8 pm).

If it’s not part of the metro system and a special train then imagine big extra cost (based on Healthrow Express model). Under that model just stop Southern Cross - Sunshine - Airport.

Keep in mind Fed Gov wants a different route so this is got to be worked out.
 
Under the plan put forward, to route it thru Sunshine. It will become an extention of the metro service, slow, crowded and no room for large suitcases.

Isn't the proposal to run an express train from Southern Cross to (maybe Footscray), Sunshine to Airport? The only commuters would be those travelling to Sunshine and the airport.


The lack of storage space for the suitcases will be an issue, and can you image peak hour and suitcase.
Yes, exactly like Sydney? Brisbane? Chicago? New York? San Francisco? Seattle? London (on Paddington line)? etcetera.

Of all of these Sydney is the worst because the airport stations are part way along the suburban route and the travellers who pay a huge fare are sometimes lucky to even board let alone even dreaming of a seat.

It's an issue but shouldn't be used to stop this proposal. And it would equally affect any chosen route than doesn't have specially built trains.

We won't even talk about the youth violence which is a problem after dark.
If there is a problem then it needs to be addressed. I travel on the Sunbury line at all times of the day including the overnight trains on the weekend without a problem. The PSOs do a damn good job keeping it safe.

If/when the airport train runs through Sunshine then there will inevitably be extra PSOs to ensure safety. Broadmeadows is reputed to be a crime hotspot. Surely the same issues would arise there as well?

Two other issues supporting the Sunshine route:

1) no forced acquisition of homes or businesses.

2) commuters can change for most regional trains at Sunshine.
 

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