Call for 111 services in Cairns to stop at Domestic Airport Terminal in Cairns

[verbatim9]

I call on support to have the 111 Translink service stop at Cairns Domestic Terminal. Affordable Public transport to and from airports are essential for the local community and budget tourists. A stop can be made at Cairns domestic now with minimal disruption to the 111 schedule.  This will give a 1/2 hourly service 7 days a week from early in the morning to late evening connecting the centre of Cairns to the Northern suburbs via Cairns domestic Airport.

[SurfRail]

I don't think we need to be prescriptive about which route it is.

One issue is that it is a very sizable deviation to get into the airport off the main road and back again.  Patronage is going to be minimal compared with patronage from people in the northern suburbs wanting to get into Cairns itself, so you run the risk of deterring passengers from the service's main market.

I think the answer is probably a dedicated route just for the airport.

The original version of the 777 and also the 622 only serve Coolangatta and Maroochydore respectively because of council funding.  I expect a similar call would need to be made on Cairns Regional Council.  (Likewise Townsville City Council for theirs, but TSV is somewhat less busy.)

[verbatim9]

I was up there 10 days ago its less than a km to the domestic terminal from the main road. Both terminals dont have to be serviced just one central stop. The 111 would be the cheapest option. "At least its something".

[James]

I was up there 10 days ago its less than a km to the domestic terminal from the main road. Both terminals dont have to be serviced just one central stop. The 111 would be the cheapest option. "At least its something".

This is huge. By the time you get off the motorway, stop, let off passengers, then get back on to the motorway, this can easily be 5 minutes lost.

I'm not familiar with Cairns (I've never actually gotten there myself), but seemingly "small" diversions can be massive timewasters. Just look at the 760. 7 minute delay and 2 stops missed just to serve the airport. In this case it is justified because it is near the quiet end of the route and allows a one-stop PT transfer between BNE and OOL. But for CNS? Not a good idea.

[red dragin]

I was up there 10 days ago its less than a km to the domestic terminal from the main road. Both terminals dont have to be serviced just one central stop. The 111 would be the cheapest option. "At least its something".

Google Maps has it at three kilometers, so 6km round trip. Ten minutes plus stopping time.

[verbatim9]

I was up there 10 days ago its less than a km to the domestic terminal from the main road. Both terminals dont have to be serviced just one central stop. The 111 would be the cheapest option. "At least its something".

This is huge. By the time you get off the motorway, stop, let off passengers, then get back on to the motorway, this can easily be 5 minutes lost.

I'm not familiar with Cairns (I've never actually gotten there myself), but seemingly "small" diversions can be massive timewasters. Just look at the 760. 7 minute delay and 2 stops missed just to serve the airport. In this case it is justified because it is near the quiet end of the route and allows a one-stop PT transfer between BNE and OOL. But for CNS? Not a good idea.

Not too worry will write to translink. Just trying to improve the transport link to and from the airport for workers, budget travellers and the community. I am sure a few more minutes can be worked into the timetable without a problem. The diversion to the airport is similar what is at MCY. I would advise members to take a trip up there and be forced to take a 20 buck cab fare or book a 15 buck shuttle which is not direct via hotels etc....i.e Cairns is meant to be an International/domestic destination for tourists. The public transport to and from the Airport is non existant. Not good for a International destination competing globally.

[Arnz]

MCY started as a 50/50 state/council funded trial as Route 699 Sunshine Plaza - Airport as the initial route.

It was transferred to full state government funding by diverting the 622 into MCY a year later, around the same time Sunbus opened their Caloundra depot yard.

Like all council funded trials, there are some successes (such as the 600 weekend frequency upgrade from 30 mins to 15 mins in 2009, Route 632 Noosa to Cooran, MCY and most recently Hinterland Connect) and there are some failures (Route 623 Coolum-Nambour crosstown and late night 636/607 which was also joint funded with USC).

[verbatim9]

A 12 month trial in Cairns can be a good idea as well.

[Gazza]

It probably would be better value just to run a dedicated route.

[red dragin]

It probably would be better value just to run a dedicated route.

Or just use this - $6 return connects you to a Translink bus.
http://www.cairnsairport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Airport-Connect-A4_C.pdf

The backpacker shuttle will take you to the CBD for $10 return.

Seem's the private sector has it covered for affordable enough prices. Certainly cheaper than AirTrain.

[verbatim9]

It probably would be better value just to run a dedicated route.

Or just use this - $6 return connects you to a Translink bus.
http://www.cairnsairport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Airport-Connect-A4_C.pdf

The backpacker shuttle will take you to the CBD for $10 return.

Seem's the private sector has it covered for affordable enough prices. Certainly cheaper than AirTrain.

Yes! researched those options. Not good enough! The transfer point is on the main road dark and busy at night. Busy during the day and not a very good road to cross with luggage. Commonwealth games coming up more tourists so a full time 1/2 hourly bus needs to be addressed. Doesnt help the locals either. Plus its not a real connection you have to pre book from the Cbd.  Drop off is outbound from the Airport only at the busstop on the main road.

[red dragin]

You have to pre-book your flight too, so I am not sure what disadvantage there is to having to book.

If the private's only run a small bus, the demand must be low.

[Gazza]

If you were to divert a route to the airport, wouldn't it be the 120 (or 113) since that makes a couple of other diversions off the highway anyway.

The 100 and 111 are fast direct routes that offer a combined 15 min frequency between JCU, Smithfield and the CBD.

If one of those routes is diverted, you muck up that headway, and the attractiveness of public transport.
Because the bus will already be full when passing the airport turnoff, and I'd be angry if I lived up in northern cairns and had my time wasted on every trip to go in and pick up a couple of airport passengers......Especially since the 100 and 111 already are a bit of a long commute.

If you divert the 120 or 113, the routes are not direct anyway...

[verbatim9]

If you were to divert a route to the airport, wouldn't it be the 120 (or 113) since that makes a couple of other diversions off the highway anyway.

The 100 and 111 are fast direct routes that offer a combined 15 min frequency between JCU, Smithfield and the CBD.

If one of those routes is diverted, you muck up that headway, and the attractiveness of public transport.
Because the bus will already be full when passing the airport turnoff, and I'd be angry if I lived up in northern cairns and had my time wasted on every trip to go in and pick up a couple of airport passengers......Especially since the 100 and 111 already are a bit of a long commute.

If you divert the 120 or 113, the routes are not direct anyway...

Sure the 120 sounds good too

[ozbob]

Petition:  A bus to Cairns Airport

>> https://www.change.org/p/cairns-council-a-bus-to-cairns-airport?recruiter=22182427

[verbatim9]

Petition:  A bus to Cairns Airport

>> https://www.change.org/p/cairns-council-a-bus-to-cairns-airport?recruiter=22182427

Ah cool! I will sign it and pass it on to relatives in Cairns

[verbatim9]

Not just in Se Qld but Cairns needs a Translink bustop at the Airport too
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/transport-push-to-boost-tourism-with-more-airtrain-and-gold-coast-services/news-story/b010f60a240e8f1d69776621d1478070