SYD terminal bus transfer

[reductionist]

Frankly, it's horrible.

I acknowledge that there is no easy fix to this, but the SYD transfer is probably the worst part of my Qantas experience.

It's been a while since I've tried the paid transfer by train so I don't know if it's much better, but I'll be giving it another go next time.

The new gate 15 transfer area seems less effective than the one down at gate 2. The boarding process for the bus takes longer than before because scanning of boarding passes can only commence once the bus is ready for passengers.

To be specific my issues are:

1. The wait. Especially for the evening flights.
2. The overcrowding.
3. The buses themselves. They just don't seem suited to the task. The steps at the rear of the bus cause a lot of problems.
4. Accessibility. The steps in the INT arrival area cause problems for the elderly & disabled. I help out if I see that it's necessary as the bus drivers don't seem interested in doing so.

The occasional traveller probably doesn't mind but when you do this regularly it becomes quite a PITA. For the record I'm not expecting luxury. I catch a train/tram to work every day so I'm not allergic to catching a bus. I imagine some of the more "premium" customers are probably feeling the same way however.

I know this is unrealistic but if QF was to somehow make the transfer faster & easier for WP & J/F pax I don't think it would go un-noticed.

Now, does anyone have an bright ideas or suggestions we could pass on to QF?

 

[Mal]

Car transfers for premium pax is the only solution for premium pax IMHO. When it can be done overseas, surely it can be done in OZ.

Everything else would require investment by SAC and well I never consider them as leaders in making travelling life easy.

Wonder who owns the buses though...

 

[Skyring]

Well, you know, consider the alternative. I could go straight outside, get a cab, ask for a short fare to the other terminal, have a grumpy cabbie who is going to do his best to catch every bit of traffic congestion and every red light on the outside roads, and then charge me for the ride.

Or I could walk along and get a free bus, where Qantas knows that I'm on my way over to my ongoing flight.

And yes, I've caught that transfer bus more times than I can recall now and yes, it's not as efficient as it could be. Even the new arrangements, which I tried out on my return home last month.

Let's say that there was a free subway linking the three terminals. The sort of shuttle system they have in Gatwick or DFW or Hong Kong. Or indeed, in its own loveable way, Heathrow.

Just how much more efficient would it be? Worth the huge cost? Would prices and fees and charges go up to cover the cost?

 

[serfty]

Re point one ...

Does not the bus still depart in the pm on the hour and every twenty minutes between the hour?

(00, 20, 40 minutes)

I haven't used it in the afternoon since the move from gate one, but that used to be reliable (it was exactly a three minute stroll from the QP/JL ).

 

[harvyk]

I tend to just pay my $5 and catch the train. I've never had to wait more than about 5 minutes, and 90 seconds later I'm over at T1, easy.

 

[ajw373]

I tend to just pay my $5 and catch the train. I've never had to wait more than about 5 minutes, and 90 seconds later I'm over at T1, easy.

You must have caught the train in peak hour, because outside the peak the trains run every 15-20 minutes through the airport line.

That said I don't really have that great an issue with the bus and re the issue about steps at international, if I understand right the steps in question are from the bus to the terminal door in which case isn't there a wheelchair ramp to the side of the steps?

 

[medhead]

As someone with a mild physical impairment. The train is the best option for me, due to flat surfaces, escalators and elevators. The bus is a bit of a nightmare with luggage due to me being slow and awkward. The stairs at the international are also difficult. But I have had one bus driver offer to assist me. I recall steps inside the door.

My ideal solution would be to work out a deal with airport link and provide vouchers for the train. Of course, there could be significant financial costs involved with that option due to rorting.

Regarding the train it is scheduled for a maximum of 15 minutes wait between 5:11 am and 10:47 pm. The shortest wait is 5 minutes during those hours and there are a considerable number of schedules waits in the 5 to 10 minutes region. Certainly many more than 15 minute gaps. 20 timetable gaps only occur outside of those hours which should not be an issue given the curfew. It would be good to refrain from just making numbers up.

 

[whughes3]

Re point one ...

Does not the bus still depart in the pm on the hour and every twenty minutes between the hour?

(00, 20, 40 minutes)

I haven't used it in the afternoon since the move from gate one, but that used to be reliable (it was exactly a three minute stroll from the QP/JL ).

It is actually every 10 minutes up to midday..

 

[ajw373]

It is actually every 10 minutes up to midday..

Which would be in the AM, whereas the poster quite clearly mentioned in the PM, which is after midday.

 

[Red Roo]

Frankly, it's horrible.

I acknowledge that there is no easy fix to this, but the SYD transfer is probably the worst part of my Qantas experience.

It's been a while since I've tried the paid transfer by train so I don't know if it's much better, but I'll be giving it another go next time.

The new gate 15 transfer area seems less effective than the one down at gate 2. The boarding process for the bus takes longer than before because scanning of boarding passes can only commence once the bus is ready for passengers.

To be specific my issues are:

1. The wait. Especially for the evening flights.
2. The overcrowding.
3. The buses themselves. They just don't seem suited to the task. The steps at the rear of the bus cause a lot of problems.
4. Accessibility. The steps in the INT arrival area cause problems for the elderly & disabled. I help out if I see that it's necessary as the bus drivers don't seem interested in doing so.

The occasional traveller probably doesn't mind but when you do this regularly it becomes quite a PITA. For the record I'm not expecting luxury. I catch a train/tram to work every day so I'm not allergic to catching a bus. I imagine some of the more "premium" customers are probably feeling the same way however.

I know this is unrealistic but if QF was to somehow make the transfer faster & easier for WP & J/F pax I don't think it would go un-noticed.

Now, does anyone have an bright ideas or suggestions we could pass on to QF?

Thanks for this comprehensive account of your recent experiences. I have passed your comments, and that of others on this thread, to the relevant team on your behalf. We have a good working relationship with SACL and are always looking to improve this aspect of our customer's journey. While the transfer arrangement you're refer to is relatively new, your feedback will be appreciated.

 

[harvyk]

You must have caught the train in peak hour, because outside the peak the trains run every 15-20 minutes through the airport line.

Or just always been there at the right time... (so a measure of good luck I suppose)

 

[jamesatfish]

Car transfers for premium pax is the only solution for premium pax IMHO. When it can be done overseas, surely it can be done in OZ.

Completely agree with this, especially arriving into SYD on a Sunday on QF12 and wanting the connection down to CBR.

There is a 737 service SYD-CBR on Sunday mornings that departs *just* inside the minimum connection time from QF12; as such QF won't let me book but I know if QF12 arrives on time it's a piece of cake to make the connection.

This means my arrivals work 1 of 2 ways:

1. A380 First -> Train to T3 -> Jump onto earlier flight -> 737 Business home.

2. A380 First -> Massive transfer bus queue -> Bus to T3 -> Q400 home.

A car transfer would certainly work wonders in this situation - I know it's my own choice not to take the free bus transfer option but it's worth the cost and inconvenience of the train to avoid having to connect from the best seat QF offers across their whole network to the worst.

 

[docjames]

Thanks for this comprehensive account of your recent experiences. I have passed your comments, and that of others on this thread, to the relevant team on your behalf. We have a good working relationship with SACL and are always looking to improve this aspect of our customer's journey. While the transfer arrangement you're refer to is relatively new, your feedback will be appreciated.

Since oyu're taking feedback on this process, I think there are also a number of threads around dealing with the return journey from Int -> Dom. A lot of the issues there (delays, cranky staff, unclear signage) centre around the need for re-checkin/bagdrop and the fact the area is essentially too small for purpose and the ensuing mess that creates.

Happy to provide more if required (as will others i'm sure).

 

[BVT]

For all these reasons, I tend to connect in MEL, when I have to. A nice easy walk from DOM to FLounge via First Desk.

 

[ajw373]

Since oyu're taking feedback on this process, I think there are also a number of threads around dealing with the return journey from Int -> Dom. A lot of the issues there (delays, cranky staff, unclear signage) centre around the need for re-checkin/bagdrop and the fact the area is essentially too small for purpose and the ensuing mess that creates.

Happy to provide more if required (as will others i'm sure).

Too small? It seems about right. The ONLY issue I have and the one that causes delays is the fact that someone, one person plus a helper stands in the enterance checking and scanning boarding passes and directing passengers where to go, rather than just letting the passengers work their own way to the most appropriate check-in desk que.

 

[docjames]

Last time I was there it was queued out about 15 deep and three across. And a total mess. I've avoided it inbound since, but that drastically reduces the QF options inbound....

 

[maroonone]

Recently transferred from F on QF2 to Domestic in Sydney. Bags were very late out (>20 mins after other F pax) and then did the wander to the transfer area. Went through security etc to find pax from same flight stuck in the waiting area. Apparently first bus is 0600 and we got in about 0500. I would have been disappointed if bags were out first and then stuck for 30+ mins in the transfer area.

 

[reductionist]

As promised in the OP I gave the $5 train transfer a go this morning (inbound on QF22).

Pros:

1. It's faster than I remember. There is a bit of extra walking when you get to the DOM terminal but this is offset by the speed of the train. The bus actually does take a bit of time to go around the perimeter of the airport.
2. It scales. I snuck a look into the QF bus transfer area before heading to the train. There was no way I was going to make the first bus. Possibly not even the second. The train obviously has more capacity and I had no problems getting on board.
3. No stairs. Just escalators (and I'm pretty sure lift access).
4. Security is faster in the DOM terminal. There are more lanes and obviously priority security for premium pax.

Cons:

1. Well, the cost.

I can't really comment on the overall wait time. The train arrived just as I stepped onto the platform and my sample size is effectively 1. However I'm pretty sure I'll just keep doing the rail transfer from now on as it's worth it to me to not be crammed onto a bus or wait in the transfer areas.

I understand there are a lot of factors at play here that are out of QFs control. But hey, these are the issues you have to contend with when running a full service airline.

 

[QF029]

So the bus aside, it seems the consensus is the train is better than grabbing a cab (for 2 pax)?

 

[parsonstrish]

I choose the train after a couple of scary experiences on bus dom. to int'l. There seemed no limit on number of passengers allowed on bus, overcrowding +++, when standing almost caught between the moveable parts of bus, not a secure experience. Never again. $5 for train is way for me.