SkyBus gone up again [Now $23.90 one way]

[Fiches Mouser]

I don't think there's any chance of that, because many travellers on airlines are time poor and leave getting to or getting from until the last minute. However, yes, gradually quite a few more people are using the Metro train and route 901 SmartBus option, but my guess is that 98 per cent of air travellers or more would still not know about it. Skybus don't want it advertised, so there's no large signs anywhere. Heaps of passengers just automatically buy a Skybus ticket - even at the booths though online is available. If only they went to the blue myki machines (one in the international arrivals), bought a myki and loaded it, they'd save money and be able to travel on a tram in the Melbourne CBD to get to their hotel for free, rather than wait around forever for Skybus' limited hours of operation shockingly organised 'hotel transfers.'

I agree – not something I can see happening anytime soon.

It just drives me nuts how much the airport and PTV push people towards Skybus. I don't know what the arrangement is between State Govt and Skybus, but it sure seems lucrative. And not at all beneficial to the consumer.

 

[Melburnian1]

From memory, the Victorian State Government has an interest of between 5 and 10 per cent. Skybus' majority owner, a family named Cowen, largely sold the business in September 2014 to a private equity type consortium but from memory may have retained a minority interest. Again from memory the purchase price was $30 million, a great return for the original owners.

You are not mrsmart for nothing. Skybus fares have gone up well beyond CPI for a number of years and it is now very expensive. The Victorian Department of Transport and now its successor, Public Transport Victoria seem with the Minister for Public Transport's approval to just rubber stamp whatever increases the Skybus owner proposes.

The 2015 scrapping of the previous 'discounted' return fare (it was $30, now it's $36 - a 20 per cent rise) is roughly 15 times the official Consumer Price Index rate of 1.3 per cent per annum.

Not everyone who uses Melbourne Airport is affluent. The growth in the last decade of JQ and TT, and overseas low cost carriers, while beginning to somewhat stagnate, has been huge. What do some backpackers think when they come alone and have to pay A$18 to get into the city - there's no publicity telling them that they can purchase a myki card for A$6 and travel for A$3.76 into the Melbourne CBD on a combination of the route 901 SmartBus and Metro train.

Imagine if Woolworths, IGA, Coles or Aldi put up every grocery, liquor, meat and fruit line by 20 per cent overnight. They'd be out of business - not Skybus - it just does as it wishes.

Another reason why Melbourne needs an airport rail link.

Wikipedia says this about Skybus:

In 2002 the Government of Victoria opted to contribute $3 million to a $10 million plan to expand and improve Skybus services, after a feasibility study into a city to airport rail link found the service would not be viable. The initiative funded the purchase of new buses, and improvements to the Tullamarine Freeway, to give Skybus vehicles priority in traffic.[SUP][5][/SUP] The operation has an audited revenue share arrangement with the Victorian Government.[SUP][6]

In September 2014, Skybus was purchased by a consortium that included Catalyst Direct Capital Management and OPTrust Private Markets Group.[SUP][9][/SUP]


[/SUP]

 

[serfty]

Used the Train (Frankston) / Train (Craigieburn) / 901 combo on Saturday. ...

BTW, this cost me $0 (extra) as I have a Myki pass expiring next year ...

 

[Formal Hall]

What do some backpackers think when they come alone and have to pay A$18 to get into the city - there's no publicity telling them that they can purchase a myki card for A$6 and travel for A$3.76 into the Melbourne CBD on a combination of the route 901 SmartBus and Metro train.

While the airport will always protect skybus' interests at arrivals, there should be room for better publicity of the 901 and metro combination for the return leg when departing Melbourne. I was very impressed in Venice when I could by public transport tickets at the hotel's concierge desk (and charge it to my room and earn points for incidental spend). Every backpackers and hotel should be a myki ticket agent with a full range of services, not just the overpriced myki 'visitor value pack'.

 

[Himeno]

Imagine if Woolworths, IGA, Coles or Aldi put up every grocery, liquor, meat and fruit line by 20 per cent overnight.

It wouldn't happen. They'd look at the cost of changing all the price tags and reject the idea.

 

[cgichard]

Can I put in a recommendation for StarBus
From Brunswick, I get the tram to the nearest hotel on their route (in their zone 2) and it costs $20 ($34 return) to the airport. Only time I've had a problem is with a very early flight on a Sunday morning and finding myself at the tram stop near the hotel earlier than the first tram on my route.

 

[serfty]

As a contrast, I was researching the cost of getting from downtown Austin, TX to the airport - the Bus is US$1.75 (Correct change please).

In 2012, I used a public bus from downtown Cincinnati to CVG - it was US$2.

 

[docjames]

As a contrast, I was researching the cost of getting from downtown Austin, TX to the airport - the Bus is US$1.75 (Correct change please).

In 2012, I used a public bus from downtown Cincinnati to CVG - it was US$2.

YVR to downtown (2 zones). $4. $2.75 weekends / after 630pm.

Regular Fares

Weekdays from start of service to 6:30 p.m.

Zone	Adult Price	Concession Price
1 Zone	$2.75	$1.75
2 Zone	$4	$2.75
3 Zone	$5.50	$3.75

Weekdays after 6:30 p.m. and all day Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

Zone	Adult Price	Concession Price
All Zones	$2.75	$1.75

 

[jsoprano]

Let's learn from the Swiss: just booked a short stay in Bern, and learned that with every stay in the city (hotel, hostel, B&B, doesn't matter), a complimentary pass for public transport for the duration of your stay is included. That includes travel to/from the airport (granted Bern Airport is not a major airport, but still). On day of arrival (i.e. before you get to your accomodation to pick up the pass) your reservation confirmation is valid as a ticket for travel.

Good news for anyone who is planning to stay at least one night in the city of Bern. From June 1, 2014, the new Bern Ticket will be issued to anyone booking at least one night in any accommodation in town. The Bern Ticket gets you free unlimited public transport in Bern, including the ride up to the popular viewing point Gurten.

Free public transport in the city of Bern

I assume this would have pushed up prices when it was introduced, but accommodation is ridiculously expensive all over Switzerland anyway and this adds some good value at least.

 

[Awesom Andy]

AUD has gone down now so it doesn't quite apply anymore, but I used to be able to say that I could take a cab from the airport to the CBD in SIN for the same price as a bus from the airport to the CBD in MEL.

 

[Dalescott]

At the price you pay to use the Skybus, it must be getting close to making a Rail/Mono/MagLev train to Tulla worth it.

 

[defurax]

At the price you pay to use the Skybus, it must be getting close to making a Rail/Mono/MagLev train to Tulla worth it.

Maybe if they charge Heathrow Express kind of fare (i.e ~74AUD) return.

 

[BAM1748]

Maybe if they charge Heathrow Express kind of fare (i.e ~74AUD) return.

Skybus are working on it.

 

[Dalescott]

They have a near monopoly, they can charge what they like. As to public transport?? well it's too complicated, for the average tourist and most locals for that matter.

 

[PLANT]

All the times I travelled the tourists got on free for 901 to train station..... No ticket inspectors on multiple trips at different times of day or year!
Just happy I'm a transurban share holder..... Skybus helping my dividend

 

[gizzard]

All the times I travelled the tourists got on free for 901 to train station....

True, I've seen locals get on the bus several times without paying or using Myki.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I just spent the last 90 minutes or so travelling from Melbourne airport to my hotel, probably added about 45 minutes extra for the hassle biggest wait was the 20 minutes at Broadmeadows station. If I was not in a hurry I would do it again as I already had a myki.
The bus stop I used was at the northern end of the terminal, you cross the first road just before the taxi rank, if you have reached the smoking area you have gone too far.
On weekends the time was 08 and 38.
At broad meadows station most seemed to cross at the lights then you went to platform 2 then took the under ground passage way to platform 1 for City bound trains.

 

[Melburnian1]

Bundy Bear, when the side street roadworks are finished, the 901 buses from the airport will again be able to stop outside the Broadmeadows railway station not across Pascoe Vale Road as they have to in this direction only at present. This will make city bound transfers from bus to train quicker.

I briefly looked at the street works on Friday with a crew laying asphalt, but I did not go and ask when it will be finished. As I said above, it is running behind time.

Had you travelled on a weekday, you'd typically find the trip quicker as the Metro trains (during peak periods) are more frequent while the buses have the 15 minute not half hourly frequency. On weekday afternoons for instance the buses typically depart Melbourne Airport bay 7 arrivals level at 05, 20, 35 and 50 minutes past the hour but always check at Home - Public Transport Victoria

Most of the fare evaders are making local trips to places such as Johnstone Street in Broadmeadows. Remember that V/Line paper ticket holders can travel for free and do not need a myki, while occasionally someone who already has a myki that is either a pass (i.e. valid for a week, or 28 to 365 days) or an already validated two hour or daily myki, may also travel without swiping on, but yes, there are some individuals who choose not to pay a fare.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Bundy Bear, when the side street roadworks are finished, the 901 buses from the airport will again be able to stop outside the Broadmeadows railway station not across Pascoe Vale Road as they have to in this direction only at present.

I wondered about this! Good to know Melburnian1.

 

[JessicaTam]

I caught the Glen Waverley train this morning at about 0740 and was at the airport by about 0940. Ten minute wait at Flinders St, and then twenty at Broady.