SkyBus lane faces fight

[tuapekastar]

The snouts are out of the trough and a-snortin!

SkyBus lane faces fight | The Age

THE SkyBus would get its own lane on CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway and have its fares slashed under a government plan to combat peak-hour congestion that is increasingly blowing out travel times between the airport and the city.

But the proposal, which involves turning emergency lanes into bus lanes on the freeway and the Bolte Bridge and putting SkyBus on a myki fare, is being challenged by CityLink operator Transurban, because it would limit its toll revenue, and by Melbourne Airport, because it would reduce its car parking profits.

 

[Mal]

Interesting. Oink. Oink. And that's not the sound of car horns.

 

[nlagalle]

Myki on Skybus would be awesome!

 

[anat0l]

Myki on Skybus would be awesome!

You may find it will attract an additional fee on top of the normal fare (a la the "gate fee" on Sydney's Airport Line services, hopefully not as much as that).


I think they will find enforcement of the priority lane a real PITA unless it has cameras assigned to it (and fines issued promptly).

Then there are the two speed processes (no pun intended) of consideration of a priority lane (for Skybus and others) and a rail link, which Skybus obviously won't be happy about if it gets off the ground.

I think it's interesting that no other shuttle company or the like has complained about why Skybus in particular has been offered this "special treatment". (It wouldn't be so bad if it were a wholly government operated company, but it is a private company like any other shuttle company). Let alone, say, the taxi companies about possible decreased revenue from more people catching a much improved Skybus (though they seem to have made enough noise to make sure that they too have a high chance of being able to use the special priority lanes).

Naturally Melbourne Airports and the tolling operator will naturally complain for compensation (either once off or ongoing), as is their "right" just like most other people - including residents - who have their property or business forcefully decreased due to government action. I wonder if a rail link idea would also have attracted a similar compensatory complaint.

 

[tuapekastar]

I meant to say in the OP, I know I have been in Skybuses (though some years ago) which have travelled in the emergency lane down the Tulla in heavy traffic!

 

[seanpodge]

Just confirmation that the privately owned MEL doesn't give a rat's about its users. Thanks a lot, Paul Keating/John Howard. Also thanks a million to Kennett for the Transurban contract.

Hopefully this does get up. As much as I believe that the long term solution has to be a rail link, that would still be a few years away at the very best and this would be a sensible interim measure. Bringing Skybus under the Myki system is also a good idea. There was a bit of talk that the previous ALP government tried to bring Skybus under the regular fare structure without success. Should have just started up their own parallel route really. The job of government isn't to just give free kicks to private enterprise.

Naturally Melbourne Airports and the tolling operator will naturally complain for compensation (either once off or ongoing), as is their "right" just like most other people - including residents - who have their property or business forcefully decreased due to government action. I wonder if a rail link idea would also have attracted a similar compensatory complaint.

No government would lose a single vote by telling Melbourne Airport exactly where to stick their sob story. If MEL retaliated by increasing the passenger charge, then the government should announce the construction of a new airport train line the next day. A sorely needed and ridiculously overdue piece of infrastructure.

 

[Mal]

Also since the report was from 2011 does this mean that the plan has been snowballed? Also since the report had to be obtained under foi... I do wonder if airport passengers will ever enjoy what is discussed in The document.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Just reading the latest poll figures this gov needs to get stuck into big infrastructure or be booted out.

 

[whatmeworry]

I think what will lose this government the election is Myki.

 

[UP4014]

If they were serious about congestion relief they would make the Skybus free. (Either govt takeover or pay the operator per head)

Matt

 

[brett-au]

Melbourne could just do what Melbourne does best, put a tram line down the middle of one lane. Everybody wins.

 

[nlagalle]

I think what will lose this government the election is Myki.

It's a pity as the previous (and possibly the replacement government) were responsible for it!

 

[cmon0005]

Myki on Skybus would be awesome!

Although I think it would be good from a price point of view for the passenger, I fear it may turn SkyBus into a standard bus service, rather than the "semi-premium" service it is now.
The last few times I've been on it, 98% of people got a seat every time, and only 4-5 people standing, as well as being generally clean/well maintained in the buses.
I can just see it now if it was myki-ised, they would try and jam as many people on per bus as possible, and it would soon be like travelling on Metro trains in peak hour.

 

[nlagalle]

Although I think it would be good from a price point of view for the passenger, I fear it may turn SkyBus into a standard bus service, rather than the "semi-premium" service it is now.
The last few times I've been on it, 98% of people got a seat every time, and only 4-5 people standing, as well as being generally clean/well maintained in the buses.
I can just see it now if it was myki-ised, they would try and jam as many people on per bus as possible, and it would soon be like travelling on Metro trains in peak hour.

I'm sure Skybus would like it jam packed from their point of view. I'm sure if they increased the frequency too, that would help with crowding.

 

[cmon0005]

I'm sure Skybus would like it jam packed from their point of view. I'm sure if they increased the frequency too, that would help with crowding.

The times that I have travelled on it (even during Friday afternoon peak), if the bus was getting full (not packed though) The staff doing the boarding would stop the queue and make them wait for the next bus, so they have some sort of load management in practice to ensure passenger comfort somewhat.

 

[serfty]

I meant to say in the OP, I know I have been in Skybuses (though some years ago) which have travelled in the emergency lane down the Tulla in heavy traffic!

It certainly did - before the new flyover cutting the corner of Essendon Airport was implemented.

Just confirmation that the privately owned MEL doesn't give a rat's about its users. Thanks a lot, Paul Keating/John Howard. Also thanks a million to Kennett for the Transurban contract.

...

That the Transurban contract does not allow for rail lines or other Public Transport infrastructure is urban myth.

There is no agreement in operation to prevent a rail link for passengers being developed or force compensation to be paid to any "road/motorway developers" in the event of such a rail link being built to MEL.

Yes, the Citylink Concession Deed requires the Victorian State Government to compensate Transurban if it acts in some way that may restrict Citylink revenue. However within the 33 year term of the contract, terms indicate an airport rail link would trigger compensation only if it carried freight.

More here: Myth: The Citylink contract forbids airport trains

Melbourne City Link - 2.9 Material Adverse Effect

...

I think they will find enforcement of the priority lane a real PITA unless it has cameras assigned to it (and fines issued promptly).

Then there are the two speed processes (no pun intended) of consideration of a priority lane (for Skybus and others) and a rail link, which Skybus obviously won't be happy about if it gets off the ground.
...

There is actually a "priority lane" established for peak periods - they simply don't enforce it (apparently due to transurban thinking it would cut their revenue to do so).

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Melbourne Airport stalling and preventing bus stops at the main terminals

Today's Melbourne Age:

"THE SkyBus would get its own lane on CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway and have its fares slashed under a government plan to combat peak-hour congestion that is increasingly blowing out travel times between the airport and the city"
​

SkyBus lane faces fight

The trouble with this suggestion is that there already is an express lane for taxis/buses that many other motorists use, thus negating its effect. If this were policed the discussion would be moot.

 

[seanpodge]

It certainly did - before the new flyover cutting the corner of Essendon Airport was implemented.

That the Transurban contract does not allow for rail lines or other Public Transport infrastructure is urban myth.

There is no agreement in operation to prevent a rail link for passengers being developed or force compensation to be paid to any "road/motorway developers" in the event of such a rail link being built to MEL.

Yes, the Citylink Concession Deed requires the Victorian State Government to compensate Transurban if it acts in some way that may restrict Citylink revenue. However within the 33 year term of the contract, terms indicate an airport rail link would trigger compensation only if it carried freight.

More here: Myth: The Citylink contract forbids airport trains

Melbourne City Link - 2.9 Material Adverse Effect

I knew about the rail link myth. It seems though that Transurban is having a sook about Skybus (and maybe taxis) getting their own lane on CityLink. Not sure how well that will go with the actual contract. Is it possible for them to get compo for it or is it just bad reporting?

 

[Dalescott]

Re: Melbourne Airport stalling and preventing bus stops at the main terminals

Jessica, can you imagine what would happen if they were to put a rail link to the Airport. Skybus(Driver Buslines are the owners), Citylink, and Airport owners would be frothing at the mouth like a male Camel on heat. This is just over a extra lane, nothing will happen, because the State Government is a do nothing Government.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Melbourne Airport stalling and preventing bus stops at the main terminals

I don't think CityLink have a claim if a rail link goes in, however if more buses are run then they can.

The Airport has already mentioned compensation if they lose parking revenue (sorry, no source).

Skybus will probably make a lot of noise against a rail link, hence their suggestion for an express lane.

Personally I think a rail link is the best option but agree that the current Fail You govt will stall.