SkyBus gone up again [Now $23.90 one way]

[L2.]

If the Victorian Government were the least bit interested in public transport, which quite clearly they're not since cancelling airport rail, they would force the airport to accept 901 to drop and pickup at each terminal.

When the 901 service first commenced operation in 2010, it initially arrived and departed from a windswept bus stop slightly beyond the shed terminal utilised by Tiger Airways at the time.

After some time the 901 bus stop was eventually moved to a central location outside T1, very conveniently located for Qantas travellers in particular, which only lasted for a couple of years before they 'improved' the arrangement by relocating the bus stop to the 'transport hub' at the then-new T4, where the stop remains today.

It's an annoying walk from the 901 bus to T1 now, but not as bad as when the arrival/departure point for the bus looked like this: Broken water main at Melbourne Airport floods the usual bus stops

 

[serfty]

When the 901 service first commenced operation in 2010, it initially arrived and departed from a windswept bus stop slightly beyond the shed terminal utilised by Tiger Airways at the time.

Before the 901 service began, the 478, 479, etc were available. Back then the 478 conveniently stopped at Essendon Railway Station. At the turn of the century the MEL bus stop was outside the international terminal, one row in towards the (then Hilton). It was moved to the windswept area later in the 00's. I believe the stop only went back to the central area while they converted the windswept area into T4.

 

[aikman]

I remember reading an article which said that the airport wanted a fee for every passenger which used the public bus. The government refused to pay the fee and so the airport put the bus stop where it is.

 

[openseat]

When the 901 service first commenced operation in 2010, it initially arrived and departed from a windswept bus stop slightly beyond the shed terminal utilised by Tiger Airways at the time.

After some time the 901 bus stop was eventually moved to a central location outside T1, very conveniently located for Qantas travellers in particular, which only lasted for a couple of years before they 'improved' the arrangement by relocating the bus stop to the 'transport hub' at the then-new T4, where the stop remains today.

I remember this quite well, having been a 901 user for quite some time.

Before the 901 service began, the 478, 479, etc were available. Back then the 478 conveniently stopped at Essendon Railway Station. At the turn of the century the MEL bus stop was outside the international terminal, one row in towards the (then Hilton). It was moved to the windswept area later in the 00's. I believe the stop only went back to the central area while they converted the windswept area into T4.

I recall taking the 478 when it was outside the international terminal to Essendon station.

I remember reading an article which said that the airport wanted a fee for every passenger which used the public bus. The government refused to pay the fee and so the airport put the bus stop where it is.

While this is no doubt the convenient excuse that the government and airport use, I'm sure the government could put enough pressure on the airport, after all they control all the access roads to the airport.

Meanwhile Sydney is building a rail link to its to be completed second airport. At this stage Melbourne and Victoria are a joke.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The concession fees, that the Vic govt earns from not only Skybus, but also from the taxis, and the uber, will probably outweigh any benefits of bringing the 901/478/479 bus closer to T1 to T3.
The tolls paid by Skybus would be at least, $9 per trip per bus.
LinkT via Citylink keeps part, and onsends part to the Vic govt.
Edit: heavy vehicles, peak $17.84, off peak, $11.90, ie, Skybus, per trip.
Lack of space is also another point.
If they didn't build the Parkroyal where it is now, that spot could have been a very good public transport centre.
But again, they decided on the hotel, and thus, Melbourne Airport earns a lot from it being there now too.

 

[Melburnian1]

The concession fees, that the Vic govt earns from not only Skybus, but also from the taxis, and the uber, will probably outweigh any benefits of bringing the 901/478/479 bus closer to T1 to T3.
The tolls paid by Skybus would be at least, $9 per trip per bus.
LinkT via Citylink keeps part, and onsends part to the Vic govt.
Edit: heavy vehicles, peak $17.84, off peak, $11.90, ie, Skybus, per trip.
Lack of space is also another point.
If they didn't build the Parkroyal where it is now, that spot could have been a very good public transport centre.
But again, they decided on the hotel, and thus, Melbourne Airport earns a lot from it being there now too.

IIRC the Victorian Government owns between five and 10 per cent of SkyBus as a result of some fleet upgrading de3al worked out more than a decade ago.

While I have used both SkyBus and the 901 (plus in previous years the route bus from Essendon railway station), MEL has the worst public transport of any major airport in Australia (and yet much other p/t in Melbourne is reasonable to excellent).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Interestingly, NMRA benefits are more substantial with $18.70 one way:

SkyBus Melbourne City Express - Book Now | ClubConnect

Melbourne SkyBus Airport transfers are the smart way to commute between Tullamarine Airport and Southern Cross Station.

benefits.mynrma.com.au

Just bought a return ticket via NRMA, pretty painless and in my inbox within a minute.

For anyone that doesn't know, a return skybus ticket isn't really a return, it's just two "admissions" on to the bus. So you could use it for two journeys City -> Airport. Helps as you can then make use of the 901/Broadmeadows for journeys that allow.

 

[gizzard]

I successfully used Skybus tickets bought using a promo card at Pelago the other day. I doubled-up with a Shopback cashback too.

My Westpac Altitude card is currently offering 20% promo with Pelago. Something you may want to check if you're planning on using Skybus soon.

 

[clifford]

Just bought a return ticket via NRMA, pretty painless and in my inbox within a minute.

For anyone that doesn't know, a return skybus ticket isn't really a return, it's just two "admissions" on to the bus. So you could use it for two journeys City -> Airport.

Just done this. Works seamlessly and for a senior it's $25.50 for a return (2 admissions).

Bit of a ripoff, but cheaper than the trains at BNE and SYD.

This'll somewhat make the cost ($75.85) of my 6-hour stay at the Ibis Styles Kingsgate not too painful, while I'm connecting CBR-MEL-SYD-MNL in J next week (it was the best that Qantas could offer!).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just done this. Works seamlessly and for a senior it's $25.50 for a return (2 admissions).

Bit of a ripoff, but cheaper than the trains at BNE and SYD.

This'll somewhat make the cost ($75.85) of my 6-hour stay at the Ibis Styles Kingsgate not too painful, while I'm connecting CBR-MEL-SYD-MNL in J next week (it was the best that Qantas could offer!).

Thank you for quoting my post.

Reason...

(1) I totally forgot about the discount

(2) Recently purchased a full price return

(3) Totally forgot about the other half of the voucher I had bought at the timing of my previous post, which I have now used tonight to return to the CBD...

A bit embarrassing!!

 

[SYD]

Thank you for quoting my post.

Reason...

(1) I totally forgot about the discount

(2) Recently purchased a full price return

(3) Totally forgot about the other half of the voucher I had bought at the timing of my previous post, which I have now used tonight to return to the CBD...

A bit embarrassing!!

Repost in the Travel mistakes thread?

 

[PLANT]

Going out of business Skybus with train back on track?

 

[Must...Fly!]

I would like to be proven wrong but I predict with the current designs and scope, this will be a disaster of a project and end with poor results.

 

[jrfsp]

Even with funding there is a stalemate between APAM and Vic Gov over the rail station

 

[jrfsp]

Melbourne Airport demands underground station as rail link stand-off continues

Melbourne Airport doubles down on its demand that the long-awaited $10 billion Airport Rail Link feature an underground station, saying a delay to the project meant it was achievable.

www.abc.net.au

Independent negotiator has been appointed to mediate between Vic Gov and APAM
I cant imagine this would have arisen if our airports weren't privatised or had a different focus (YVR for instance which is run as a not for profit company and consistently wins best airports awards )

 

[openseat]

I was surprised that the Melbourne Airport rail was given the go ahead in spite of other cuts (such as Sunshine Coast rail link). But perhaps the Minister is showing her state loyalty in the decision making.

 

[JessicaTam]

I hope we end up with an underground station. But if Melbourne Airport are so keen, they should stump up some cash (which I believe they have done in the past).

 

[RooFlyer]

I hope we end up with an underground station. But if Melbourne Airport are so keen, they should stump up some cash (which I believe they have done in the past).

But would they be keen? Will take away from parking fees. I don't think Melbourne Airport would care how efficiently you are able to get to their airport.

 

[jrfsp]

Melbourne Airport pushes cheaper tunnel vision to overcome state’s billion-dollar objection

Tullamarine bosses have asked the Commonwealth to consider a new rail link plan they argue would be cheaper than the Victorian government’s sky rail.

www.theage.com.au

The $500M compensation for loss of land seems ridiculous.

I dont know on what planet tunneling is going to be cheaper than a sky rail

 

[Must...Fly!]

The one where a PPP is actually explored as a realistic option might be one.