Airtrain

[nathandavid88]

^^ I doubt that. I don't imagine that the restriction on BT services to the Terminals is tied to the times that Airtrain runs services.

[SurfRail]

In the absence of a copy of the contract it's all speculation, so I wouldn't bother too much with the notion one way or the other.

[colinw]

This is daft.  There's nothing going on at the airport that incremental improvements to the Airtrain timetable will not fix.

As with the Toowoomba Greyhound services, TransLink should not be going into the business of offering subsidised lower cost alternatives to profit making private services.

I thought we were about co-ordinating bus and rail, not making them compete against each other.

[#Metro]

Private cars, private buses, private taxis, etc are already going to Brisbane Airport 'in competition with' the train. Nobody thinks they should be banned from doing so. If people are using these modes, it is because they perceive a benefit in doing so over and above the alternatives already on offer.

Adelaide runs buses to the Airport, and many airports overseas have multiple options to access airport precincts. It is difficult to see why extending a cross-town half-hourly bus a very short distance to Brisbane Airport with an 8-minute bus ride from Toombul, is so controversial.

Extending a bus from Toombul to Brisbane Airport and connecting the northside would come at minor incremental cost and would likely pay for itself as the extension would be so short and the travel time short also as the road is a freeway. It is likely no subsidy would be required.

Airtrain's costs are fixed and sunk, and the bus would operate in an area where the train does not.

[pandmaster]

This is daft.  There's nothing going on at the airport that incremental improvements to the Airtrain timetable will not fix.

It is hard to justify even a three-car train late at night, so I think buses at the very least should fill the gap. Fares are ridiculous too (at least have a concession), so a bus service could be more a social service than undermining the Airtrain. Airtrain always knew that one day they would have to compete, so they have had their chance to make supernormal monopoly profits. Competition should bring their exorbitant fares down. 

I thought we were about co-ordinating bus and rail, not making them compete against each other.

Getting to the airport from Toombul is a pain. $16 is a lot to pay for a relatively long train trip for a short distance. Catching the 590 and T-Bus is better value, though it takes a while as well. So unless Airtrain want to cough up for a station next to the shopping centre, I see a bus to complement the train as an improvement. Airtrain can even run it and charge an additional fare. It would also open up connections to other routes at Toombul, which otherwise requires bus to Toombul, then train to EJ and train to airport.

As for areas on the other side of the Gateway Bridge, a bus would encourage people to use PT to the airport as the train trip takes an eternity for a short distance by road.

TL; DR: I see bus routes to the airport as growing overall PT patronage by opening up areas poorly served for airport connections, while keeping Airtrain competitive on other routes.

[red dragin]

When Airtrain was planned, there was expectations that one day there would be a station above the Toombul floodplain car park.

It was expected that the shopping centre would be levelled and become an airport hotel/casino/shopping centre. Like the DFO precinct has now become (plus casino).

I remember borrowing the full study (several hundred page book) from the Nundah library around when construction had started.

[HappyTrainGuy]

It's easy to tell who lives or knows much about Brisbane's northside.

This is daft.  There's nothing going on at the airport that incremental improvements to the Airtrain timetable will not fix.

It is hard to justify even a three-car train late at night, so I think buses at the very least should fill the gap. Fares are ridiculous too (at least have a concession), so a bus service could be more a social service than undermining the Airtrain. Airtrain always knew that one day they would have to compete, so they have had their chance to make supernormal monopoly profits. Competition should bring their exorbitant fares down. 

As someone that lives on the northside you'd be lucky enough to be able to catch a bus at 7pm at night. Seriously. As soon as its 6pm connections go well out the window and that's already with a network that struggles with connections let along considering new routes or route extensions just for a service late at night. The majority of Brisbane's northside bus network is hourly and that's when its running.

Private cars, private buses, private taxis, etc are already going to Brisbane Airport 'in competition with' the train. Nobody thinks they should be banned from doing so. If people are using these modes, it is because they perceive a benefit in doing so over and above the alternatives already on offer.

Have you ever considered that there might be a reason for that. The current PT network is just plain inefficient, consists of multiple transfers, the time it takes to get there using the bus network is an absolute joke, the frequency of Brisbanes northside bus routes are just quite simply p%ss poor, the connections are even worse and the running hours are an absolute f***ing joke!

[ozbob]

MEDIA RELEASE May 2015

BRISBANE AIRTRAIN UPS THE OFFERINGS FOR SMART TRAVELLERS

Holidaymakers and business travellers can get their journey off to a flying start following the introduction of new must-grab discounts from Airtrain, the premier rail link connecting Brisbane Airport to the city as well as the Gold Coast and Brisbane suburbs.

Launched to reward customers who book in advance with Airtrain, the offerings include an array of early bird savers enabling customers to save up to:

15 per cent if they book online seven or more days before travel
10 per cent two to six days before travel
5 per cent on the day or day before hopping on the Airtrain

Starting as low as $14.45 one way between the Airport and Brisbane City, the discounts apply to single and return e-tickets, Gold Coast Train & Transfer (Airtrain Connect) and Smart Pass.*

Airtrain is also rolling out a Passbook discount voucher program offering travellers who book online savings of up to 20 per cent on a range of exciting Brisbane and Gold Coast attractions, cafes and more including The Coffee Club plus Whale Watch Day Cruises and Dolphin Adventure Tours run by Tangalooma Island Resort.**

Marketing Manager of Brisbane Airtrain, Gunjan Allen, said the initiatives are designed to bring greater value, increased flexibility and perks to customers so they can spend more time and money relaxing and enjoying all that booming Brisbane and the surrounding region has to offer.
"Our goal is to deliver the best service and fast, affordable travel for all. Feedback from passengers indicates that they plan ahead so we've developed our new offers to help empower our customers, allowing them to organise their trips in advance so they can truly fast track travel whether it's for business or pleasure," she said.

The wider selection of tickets is also available at a click of a button following the introduction of Brisbane Airtrain's new mobile site which features a revamped timetable section and next train countdown times.

"As well as a fresh new look, customers with smartphones can now enjoy an improved mobile reading and ticket buying experience. We're also working on an innovative new route planner tool with Google Maps allowing passengers to plan out their journey visually from and to the airport, for launch later this year," Mrs Allen said.

Notes:

*Customers can also share the sights and costs from the Airport to the city with the City Duo savers offering trips for only $28 for two people, substantially less than the cost of the $43 average taxi fare equivalent during peak and off peak times. Web group fares are also available via online purchase for groups of three or four passengers. Adult groups of five passengers or more pay only an additional $9 each online. Please note the early bird savers cannot be used in conjunction with any other Airtrain savers e.g. city duo savers, group fares, children's fares to Brisbane surburbs and the Gold Coast, ticket books or workers weekly pass. Early bird savers can be used in conjunction with The Gold Coast Train and Transfer including adult and children's fares.

** The passbook will be emailed to every customer who buys an e-ticket online to the email address supplied during the booking. For more visit www.airtrain.com.au.

For further information, please visit www.airtrain.com.au.

[ozbob]

 Brisbane Airtrain MEDIA RELEASE
11 August 2015

AIRTRAIN GUNS FOR GROWTH WITH 'NO WORRIES' CAMPAIGN

Brisbane Airtrain is undergoing a major revamp driven by customer data to snare a greater share of traffic to and from the airport now that economic conditions are improving in Queensland.

The company created its "No Worries" campaign using first-of-its-kind customer research* for commuters globally and will introduce a redesigned responsive website for easier bookings which will continue to offer the country's first air rail e-ticketing system.

A joint initiative between the State government, through TransLink, and Airtrain has also seen the installation of new wide-berth go card gates for easier transport of luggage and improved commuter flow to fast-track travel for all.

Chris Basche, CEO of Airtrain, said the rebrand comes at a good time. After the state's mining boom, a soft period followed, resulting in a sharp reduction in flights to mining camps and domestic tourism. The most recent projections now point to Queensland's economy potentially growing faster than any other state, he said.

"We took a long, hard look at the region's economic indicators and the conditions suggest more people will be travelling domestically to Queensland soon. That's why we're really excited to be introducing this campaign now to ensure we capture a greater share of this growing market," he said.

Insights gleaned from Airtrain's research included identifying customer motivations, aspirations and frustrations like preferring to book in advance, wanting to be in control, and disliking the feeling of being restrained.

"Our research revealed that our customers overwhelmingly love that we get them to and from the airport with fewer obstacles and uncertainties," he said.

No Worries Advertising

As for the "No Worries" advertising, passengers will see ads that replace the real anxiety of missing a flight or getting to their destination with less stressful matters like catching waves, opening peanut bags and enjoying the weather.

Example taglines are:

    "Get from Brisbane Airport to the City, without the taxi taking the scenic route."
    "Worry about packing your boardies for the Brisbane winter, not getting to your hotel."
    "Get a lift from the station to your door without bugging your mum."

Basche said Airtrain plans to share this campaign and increase ridership by driving awareness, trial and advocacy in Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne, and New Zealand.

"When it comes to travel, there are many things out of our hands, but the one thing Airtrain can control is the customer experience. The marketing team have worked very hard to understand what people would like from airport transfers and the research findings have been used across our entire business plan," he said.

About Airtrain:

Brisbane Airtrain is the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to reach Brisbane, the Gold Coast and suburbs from Brisbane Airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes from the city in peak periods and every 30 minutes in off peak periods to the airport in only 24 minutes. Additional services include a Gold Coast Train & Transfer (AirtrainConnect) service providing transfers for customers travelling between Brisbane Airport and their Gold Coast accommodation.

Airtrain Holdings Limited is an unlisted public company that owns the concession until 2036 for the Brisbane Airport Rail Link which consists of an 8.5km elevated railway and stations at Brisbane Airport's international and domestic terminals. Airtrain commenced operations in 2001 and is the sole rail service connecting Brisbane Airport to the CBD, the wider Queensland Rail passenger rail network and the Gold Coast. In the last year there were 1.8 million passenger trips on the Airtrain, and more than 20 million passenger trips have been made since its launch in 2001. For further information, please visit www.airtrain.com.au.


For more information on Airtrain services and updates, passengers are encouraged to visit www.airtrain.com.au.

ENDS

[SurfRail]

Clearly their research didn't find that people might like to travel after 10pm if their flight is scheduled in later in the evening.  I'm sure the waves will soothe them while they sit on the platform watching the 22:04 service shoot off.

[ozbob]

Brisbane Airtrain is celebrating the launch of its newly designed, easier-to-use website by offering travellers the chance to save $10 or more on an online return city ticket from now until 17 August.

Just use the promo code: WEBDOLLAR5 (that's a five (5) not an "S") when you book your ticket.

Airtrain reconstructed its site to take the stress out of ticket buying and empower the consumer, dovetailing with its research that prompted its new "No Worries" brand announced yesterday.

>> https://airtrain.com.au/

[dancingmongoose]

Their website might be easier to use but it's not going to be easier to find with search engines if you leave all your title tags empty!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Anthony's Trains ‏@AnthonysTrains 1h

Today we celeberate 15 years of the Brisbane Airport railway. It's been a wonderful line. Let's see what the... http://fb.me/2uBzYqWYs

[STB]

Twitter

Anthony's Trains ‏@AnthonysTrains 1h

Today we celeberate 15 years of the Brisbane Airport railway. It's been a wonderful line. Let's see what the... http://fb.me/2uBzYqWYs

I remember being there that day it opened, they had a railway spike race happening, radio stations turned up, balloons and plenty of the old book timetables (yellow) being handed out with free rides on the trains along the line.  Good times. 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Star voice behind Airtrain warning

[ozbob]

Heading to the airport? Buy a one-way ticket, and we'll get you back for a buck! Return journeys just $1 all... https://t.co/4HgJac5DsC

— Brisbane's Airtrain (@BrisAirtrain) November 15, 2016

[tazzer9]

Something tells me airtrain patronage is down for them to do a deal like that.

[urbanplanr]

I know for a fact that many Brisbane based AirTrain users either get off at Eagle Junction even though they may be heading into the CBD or beyond just to tag off, and then they touch on again to head into their actual destination.

Some who live in suburban stations don't actually tag off when exiting the station (I don't think this really works as they get charged the penalty fare) but perhaps they call up to report an incorrect fare.

All I know is that the AirTrain needs fixing up in terms of timetabling and cost. Either maintain the high prices so they can run at least 1 service at least 30-1hr after the last commercial flight, or reduce the fares if they want to keep it unreliable for those leaving or arriving on late night flights.

[ozbob]

MICEBTN --> Airtrain runnning smoothly, wins presigious award

Brisbane's Airtrain has weathered the past two months of suburban rail network challenges in the region caused by inadequate Queensland Rail driver staffing/training and the introduction of the delayed $1.2 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link to the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Airtrain equipment and services are provided by QR in a long-term relationship which has been very successful, other than the recent hiccup which was beyond Airtrain's control.

Unlike many other airport/city rail links elsewhere in the world Airtrain www.airtrain.com.au is not merely a transit operator but one which has opened regional access – in its case to the Gold Coast and even, with road links, to northern NSW – and has been proactive in generating business, meetings, conferences and other event traffic as well as leisure travel.

We have reported several times this year on Airtrain's innovative MICE sector marketing in tandem with a number of Brisbane/Gold Coast industry partners.

Recently Airtrain's marketing prowess won the Queensland operator a key accolade in the 2016 Global AirRail Awards www.globalairrail.com organised by the Global AirRail Alliance.

This saw its 'No Worries' approach to customer service rewarded as the Marketing Campaign of the Year.

These awards are judged by a panel of experts in air and rail sectors, electing category winners from around the world with the highest total scores across customer service, business results, innovation, communication and cooperation. 

Airtrain's 'No Worries' campaign was recognised for its use of strategic marketing insights to understand consumer rail experiences and develop an integrated marketing offering with a stress-free approach to travel.

Chris Basche, Airtrain's CEO who is strongly oriented to Brisbane city and southeast Queensland regional MICE opportunities said the win was testament to Airtrain's desire to truly understand customer needs by going beyond standard airport passenger profiling to deliver a service that matters.

"The 'No Worries' campaign is a success because it taps into the motivators and pain-points of consumers when planning airport transfers," he said. "We heard travellers and we did something about it with a streamlined online booking platform, superb timetable with trains running every 15 minutes in peak periods to the city and new wide-berth go card gates for easier transport.

"The findings enabled our marketing team to not only evolve and showcase the new benefits of our service that consumers are seeking, but also helped us update our brand to deliver a rolling thunder of new innovations and partnership benefits through competitions and promo code offerings."

Photograph R Dow 28th November 2016

[#Metro]

Paul Pluta AirTrain video

I do not endorse the content, but in my personal experience, AirTrain has been dirty.

Especially the greenish sideboard, tends to have grime all on it.

Content warning: coarse language

[James]

Can we really expect the Airtrain to be clean? The trains used all come from the suburban stock used elsewhere on the network, so it should be no surprise that they're dirty. Really the best that can be done would be Airtrain employing a cleaner to sweep through and clean the trains at the airport terminus and pick up the obvious rubbish like wrappers, bottles etc. To maintain Airtrain trains to a premium would require cleaning all trains to a high standard.

The excess you pay is because it is privately operated - instead of the money required to build & run the line coming from your GST, you pay the full cost of travel, including debt financing etc. Same in Sydney. To be honest, it's fortunate most Airport trains are run by the newest trains, not EMUs.

[#Metro]

Can we really expect the Airtrain to be clean?

It is private, so you are paying the true cost of the service. No TransLink subsidy there.

The whole thing is covered in scratchitti, grime down the green sideboard, and did you see the human skin deposits on the headrests?

This is not the first time AirTrain has been picked up for filthy trains. Was in the media in 2010 I recall.

Airtrain shame: filth greets Brisbane arrivals
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4433.msg35636#msg35636

[HappyTrainGuy]

When it comes to keeping the trains clean look back a couple years... *sigh*

[verbatim9]

FYI The Ekka is almost here! If you're travelling to Brisbane, catch the Airtrain for just $20 Return*! Use the code 'ekka2017' at www.airtrain.com.au for travel between 5th and 25th August.
*Only valid between the Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City Stations

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/962960755921338368

[ozbob]

Coming Soon: Airtrain and Translink are releasing a new ticket book for the Zone 1 Brisbane region including the major stations Southbank, Park Road and Toowong along with Toombul, Nundah, Northgate, Windsor, Wilston, Newmarket, Alderley, Enoggera, Gaythorne, Clayfield, Hendra, Ascot, Doomben, Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong, Taringa, Indooroopilly, Chelmer, Graceville, Buranda, Coorparoo, Norman Park, Morningside, Cannon Hill, Murarrie, Dutton Park, Fairfield, Yeronga and Yeerongpilly.

This ticket book (10 tickets) will be available for $195, to register your interest email marketing@airtrain.com.au Subject: Zone 1 ticketbooks

[ozbob]

^

https://airtrain.com.au/ticket-books/ticket-book-information

Thankyou for your interest in the new Zone 1 Ticket books. These tickets are now available for purchase.
The ticket books come in a set of 10 tickets for just $160 (Brisbane)

As previously mentioned these tickets cover all the stations between the Airport and Zone 1 including South Bank, Park Road, Toombul, Nundah, Northgate, Windsor, Wilston, Newmarket, Alderley, Enoggera, Gaythorne, Clayfield, Hendra, Ascot, Doomben, Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong, Taringa, Indooroopilly, Chelmer, Graceville, Buranda, Coorparoo, Norman Park, Morningside, Cannon Hill, Murarrie, Dutton Park, Fairfield, Yeronga and Yeerongpilly


These tickets can be used for travel to or from the station, just by showing the ticket to the attendant to scan. The expiry is December 2020.

Gold Coast Ticket books are available too for $350 for a book of 10 tickets.

[brissypete]

That's an excellent price, well done Airtrain.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[tazzer9]

That's an excellent price, well done Airtrain.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Really?  The sydney airtrain has a station access fee cap of $29 per week.

[ozbob]

^

Yes they do.

> https://www.opal.com.au/en/opal-fares/airport_station_access_fee/

[brissypete]

That's an excellent price, well done Airtrain.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Really?  The sydney airtrain has a station access fee cap of $29 per week.

Compared to online fares and go card it is a decent saving. Yes the Sydney weekly cap is good but if for example you arrive Friday depart Monday there's no benefit.

All offers depend on your travel plans.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

This is probably a phase in approach prior to Next Generation Ticketing. It too will be all done by the Go card similar to Sydney. They may also have other things in mind as an automated incentive with Next Gen Ticketing.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DarrenDavis10/status/1027725551883046913

[verbatim9]

^^20 mins or better?  And a Driver only model phased in on the Airport - Gold Coast line prior Dec 2021. Trains could run every 10 mins during peak on the Airport line with improvements at Skygate.

[verbatim9]

Sale for Airtrain this week. $25.00 return tickets available to purchase online for travel until 31Jan19.

[verbatim9]

With mention of Emirates flying in later into Brisbane from mid this year something will need to be done in reference to extending the hours of operation for scheduled ground transport. Maybe extending the departing train services to run until 2334 each night? That will give peace of mind for incoming passengers, as well as for passengers catching later flights.

When I was in Perth recently, they have the luxury of having a Public Transperth bus departing the Int T1/2 Terminal until 01:10 (380) each night.

[verbatim9]

With mention of Emirates flying in later into Brisbane from mid this year something will need to be done in reference to extending the hours of operation for scheduled ground transport. Maybe extending the departing train services to run until 2334 each night? That will give peace of mind for incoming passengers, as well as for passengers catching later flights.

When I was in Perth recently, they have the luxury of having a Public Transperth bus departing the Int T1/2 Terminal until 01:10 (380) each night.

There is currently quite a few late flight arrivals that passengers would benefit from 3 more train services departing BNE until 2334.

[#Metro]

The budget flights tend to arrive after the Airtrain has ceased for the night.

Would be good to have that, or at least a train replacement bus at that time.

[Andrew]

I definitely would like to see a fare restructure as well. I think something more along the lines of the Sydney system where there is a gate fee but the stations are still in the normal fare system. Bus users get penalised for not being near a train station. If you say, get a bus from Eight Mile Plains to Southbank or Roma St , you pay a 2 zone fare ($3.22 Off Peak Go Card) and then you get hit by the unique airtrain fare ($19).

So lets say that the airport is in zone 2 and the gate fee is about $15.  It would mean the total would reduce from $22.22 down to $18.22. It would also be more transparent imho too so we know EXACTLY how much Airtrain is getting.

[verbatim9]

I definitely would like to see a fare restructure as well. I think something more along the lines of the Sydney system where there is a gate fee but the stations are still in the normal fare system. Bus users get penalised for not being near a train station. If you say, get a bus from Eight Mile Plains to Southbank or Roma St , you pay a 2 zone fare ($3.22 Off Peak Go Card) and then you get hit by the unique airtrain fare ($19).

So lets say that the airport is in zone 2 and the gate fee is about $15.  It would mean the total would reduce from $22.22 down to $18.22. It would also be more transparent imho too so we know EXACTLY how much Airtrain is getting.

I wonder if this can be addressed in the Next Generation Ticketing project, to include all modes not just train travel in the  flat  1 or 2......zone fare?