Airtrain

[SurfRail]

The basis for the fares isn't going to be affected by how they are actually paid for.

They really lost a good opportunity to buy the operation out when it last changed hands.

[techblitz]

unless your in a rush and have a little time to spare.....dont even bother with the airtrain......for that ripoff price you can jump off at Toombul....get a 590 to skygate and then get a top notch pub meal from the transit tavern for roughly the same price and then jump onto the free electric bus to the terminals.

https://www.transittavern.com.au/

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a25f429f6576eed4d8a81d7/t/5c3572ea032be43c62c3e780/1547006706874/Main+Menu+-+Transit+Tavern.pdf

[verbatim9]

^^This option is ok during the day but early mornings and after 6 pm this option is not available.

It's considerably longer as well. Allow for an extra 60mins. If travelling via Toombul heavy baggage can be a burden.

If you want to save a bit of money? Pre pay via the Air train app the price comes down to about 16.00 bucks.

[AnonymouslyBad]

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).

Yeah, at least it's a flat $19 plus TransLink fare now, rather than the garbage they used to pull with separate (higher) Airtrain pricing for every station!

In that sense the Airtrain is effectively zone 1 + $19 gate fee (yikes!). This applies even on the Gold Coast line. The weirdness is just that if you're only going to or from a CBD station, there's no zone 1 component, probably because TransLink doesn't see any of the money. I doubt any new fare structure to cover this up would leave Brisbane locals better off since they're mostly commuting to/from the suburbs anyway.

[ozbob]

Correspondence from Airtrain Marketing

To celebrate the end of financial year we are giving you the chance to save over 20%* with our Brisbane City, Zone 1 and Gold Coast ticket books until June 30! Our ticket books contain 10 individual tickets which are open dated for travel to or from the Brisbane Airport. 

Brisbane City tickets are only $14 per ticket - saving $5* each! Brisbane City tickets are valid for travel to and from all stations between the Airport and South Brisbane station including Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley Station, Central Station and Roma Street stations.

Zone 1 tickets are only $17.40 - saving $6.40* each! Zone 1 tickets are valid for travel between the Airport and Zone 1 stations 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.

Gold Coast tickets are only $31 - saving $8.30* each! Gold Coast tickets are valid for travel between the Airport and Gold Coast train stations including Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes. They are also valid at all G:link tram stations.

This special is only for a limited time after which these products will return to their normal price.

*saving off individual station ticket prices.

Get in quick and secure these deals

> https://www.airtrain.com.au/tickets/ticket-types/ticket-books/

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Questions On Notice

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1529-2019.pdf

QUESTION ON NOTICE
ASKED

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Answer Due: Thursday, 14 November 2019

1529 MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

With reference to public transport to and from the Brisbane Airport—

Will the Minister advise (a) if there are any contracts, agreements or deeds afoot within the Transport and
Main Roads Department or any other part of the Queensland Government that relate to the provision of
bus services and, if so, (b) the existence of any exclusive rights or arrangements in place that would
preclude the introduction of new bus services, (c) the scope of these arrangements and (d) the expiry date
for any exclusivity provisions?

[ozbob]

^ Answer due today ...

[verbatim9]

Is Airtrain free with fare free Mondays for trains?

[ozbob]

Is Airtrain free with fare free Mondays for trains?

Yes surprisingly ...

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/256486

" ... From Monday 18 November, for four consecutive Mondays, there will be free travel on Queensland Rail Citytrain services, including Airtrain. ... "

[verbatim9]

Is Airtrain free with fare free Mondays for trains?

Yes surprisingly ...

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/256486

" ... From Monday 18 November, for four consecutive Mondays, there will be free travel on Queensland Rail Citytrain services, including Airtrain. ... "

[ozbob]

^ Answer due today ...

Question on Notice

No. 1529
Asked on Tuesday 15 October 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to public transport to and from the Brisbane Airport—

Will the Minister advise (a) if there are any contracts, agreements or deeds afoot within the
Transport and Main Roads Department or any other part of the Queensland Government that
relate to the provision of bus services and, if so, (b) the existence of any exclusive rights or
arrangements in place that would preclude the introduction of new bus services, (c) the scope of
these arrangements and (d) the expiry date for any exclusivity provisions?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

The State, acting through the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), is party to the
Brisbane Airport Rail Line (BARL) Deed with Airtrain.

The BARL Deed is a commercial arrangement for operation of the railway between
Eagle Junction and Domestic and International Airport stations, including the provision of
passenger rail services. It also outlines the State's obligations in relation to the provision of other
land-based public transport services to and from the Brisbane Airport. The BARL Deed
commenced in 1998 and is due to expire in 2036.

Under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, there are market entry
restrictions on the provision of road-based general route services at Brisbane Airport. The
Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018 provides that an operator must
have a service contract with TMR to be able to provide a scheduled passenger service to Brisbane
Airport.

Airtrain currently offers discounted weekly tickets for $37 per week, or 20 tickets for $120, for
Brisbane Airport precinct employees travelling on BARL. TMR does not receive any revenue from
these ticket types.

TMR has a service contract with Con-X-ion which gives exclusive rights to Con-X-ion to operate
road-based general route services to and from Brisbane Airport. This service contract will expire
on 22 October 2020.

[timh]

^ Answer due today ...

Question on Notice

No. 1529
Asked on Tuesday 15 October 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to public transport to and from the Brisbane Airport—

Will the Minister advise (a) if there are any contracts, agreements or deeds afoot within the
Transport and Main Roads Department or any other part of the Queensland Government that
relate to the provision of bus services and, if so, (b) the existence of any exclusive rights or
arrangements in place that would preclude the introduction of new bus services, (c) the scope of
these arrangements and (d) the expiry date for any exclusivity provisions?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

The State, acting through the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), is party to the
Brisbane Airport Rail Line (BARL) Deed with Airtrain.

The BARL Deed is a commercial arrangement for operation of the railway between
Eagle Junction and Domestic and International Airport stations, including the provision of
passenger rail services. It also outlines the State's obligations in relation to the provision of other
land-based public transport services to and from the Brisbane Airport. The BARL Deed
commenced in 1998 and is due to expire in 2036.

Under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, there are market entry
restrictions on the provision of road-based general route services at Brisbane Airport. The
Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018 provides that an operator must
have a service contract with TMR to be able to provide a scheduled passenger service to Brisbane
Airport.

Airtrain currently offers discounted weekly tickets for $37 per week, or 20 tickets for $120, for
Brisbane Airport precinct employees travelling on BARL. TMR does not receive any revenue from
these ticket types.

TMR has a service contract with Con-X-ion which gives exclusive rights to Con-X-ion to operate
road-based general route services to and from Brisbane Airport. This service contract will expire
on 22 October 2020.

If I'm reading the political-speak correctly, does that essentially mean that legally BCC can run metro services to BNE?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[#Metro]

TMR has a contract with con-x-ion and that is exclusive?

Why hasn't that gone out to BCC?

[verbatim9]

So from November 2020 BCC can possibly  run buses?

[#Metro]

We need more detail? There is already a TMR bus contractor, how did that happen?

https://www.con-x-ion.com/services/brisbane-airport-transfers

[SurfRail]

^ Their rights would have been grandfathered.

This stuff is not worth wasting time on.  The only way the exclusivity goes away early is if the State buys it back early.

Blame the LNP.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/6295

[Stillwater]

Con-X-ion offers shuttle buses beyond just the BCC bus fleet footprint.  Door-to-door in some instances.  You can't catch a BCC bus to the Sunshine Coast, for instance, for an 8-zone fare using your go-card.

https://www.con-x-ion.com

[verbatim9]

Con-X-ion offers shuttle buses beyond just the BCC bus fleet footprint.  Door-to-door in some instances.  You can't catch a BCC bus to the Sunshine Coast, for instance, for an 8-zone fare using your go-card.

https://www.con-x-ion.com

But it's more expensive than the train.

[#Metro]

Just drop the exclusivity.

[SurfRail]

Just drop the exclusivity.

They can't, because they have legal advice that it puts them in breach of the BARL Deed.  Open and shut.

[SurfRail]

Some interesting reading in here which is directly on point with what I was saying above:

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/2018/13506008.pdf?la=en

[ozbob]

^ thanks SurfRail.  That makes the situation crystal clear.

Nothing to see here folks!   

[Gazza]

^ Their rights would have been grandfathered.

This stuff is not worth wasting time on.  The only way the exclusivity goes away early is if the State buys it back early.

Blame the LNP.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/6295

Are you saying Connexion can operate because they were pre-airtrain?

[SurfRail]

They took over from Coachtrans.  Airtrain isn't 24/7 so they fill in the gaps.

Clearly the State would like to make a change as they did at the other major RPT terminals in Qld where exclusivity has been removed but those don't have a 35 year BOOT rail link concession attached.

[Arnz]

They bought out the Coachtrans and Sunair operations (Mooloolaba based) from memory. 

Coachtrans used to be a larger coach operator doing Brisbane Transit Centre-Southport runs in the 90s before downsizing to Airport operations post GC Rail Line.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Public transport access a weak spot at the expanding Brisbane Airport

A lack of transport options at Brisbane Airport will be further exposed when the city's new $1.3 billion parallel runway leads to a doubling in passenger movements in 20 years, Brisbane's development association has warned.

Committee for Brisbane executive director Annie Macnaughton said while the new airport facilities would be a boon for the city, accessible public transport was the "missing piece of the new airport jigsaw".

She said those improvements were needed, as the airport's passenger numbers would increase from 23.4 million in the 2018-19 financial year to more than 50 million by 2040.

"I think efficient, fast, 'turn up and go' mass transit in and out of the airport precinct is absolutely essential for Brisbane," Ms Macnaughton said.

The privately owned Airtrain has monopoly access to provide public transport to Brisbane's domestic and international terminals until 2036, due to a contract signed with the Queensland government in 1999. After 2036, the line returns to Queensland Rail.

It was a situation Robert Dow, a spokesman for transport lobby group Rail Back on Track, said needed to change.

"I think there is a need to look at opening it up to normal route public transport in and out of the airport," Mr Dow said.

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner has asked the state government to revisit Airtrain's exclusivity, floating the idea to have the council's Brisbane Metro buses service the airport.

In addition to passengers, 25,000 people work at the Brisbane Airport precinct - a number predicted to grow to 50,000 by 2040.

As part of the Airtrain contract, the council's buses can only enter the airport precinct as far as the Skygate retail centre, several kilometres from the terminals.

From Skygate, bus passengers catch a shuttle bus to the domestic or international terminals.

Airtrain chief executive Chris Basche said he had discussed extra bus services with the council, but declined to provide many details of the talks.

"Airtrain expects to provide a complimentary service to the Brisbane Metro when it commences operations because there will be connections between Airtrain and the metro at both South Brisbane's Cultural Centre and the Roma Street stations," he said.

Cr Schrinner declined to be interviewed on Thursday.

Mr Basche said Airtrain negotiated with TransLink and the company running the Gold Coast light rail stage two when it connected to the main Brisbane rail line.

"Airtrain saw an uplift in passengers connecting from Brisbane Airport to Surfers Paradise after stage two of the Gold Coast light rail was opened in late 2017," he said.

"A similar connection will be possible with Brisbane Metro connecting the airport to major universities, hospitals and employment precincts."

Mr Basche says Airtrain's domestic and international stations were well placed to cope with the gradual passenger growth expected after the parallel runway opens next year.

"Airtrain also plans to expand the peak period frequency of trains - every 15 minutes - into the current non-peak period," he said.

Mr Basche said train services every 15 minutes were the "international benchmark".

"That covers between 90 and 95 per cent of all flights that come and go," he said.

An Airtrain ticket costs $19 from Central Station to the airport, or $36 return.

Mr Basche said Airtrain had noticed a 12.5 per cent increase in airport precinct staff using the service after offering a 20-ticket book for $120 for precinct workers.

Workers can travel within the precinct for no extra charge on the Airtrain.

He described Airtrain's patronage as consistent and not impacted by Uber or taxis.

Brisbane Airport Corporation is running tours of the new parallel runway and will hold an open day and a fun run down the runway in the first half of 2020, before it opens for operation.

Work began in October 2013 to gather the sand from Moreton Bay - to let it lay flat for three years - before the runway construction began in 2017.

TransLink did not answer questions about extending bus services to the airport. It said Airtrain had suitable rail capacity.

[#Metro]

Why doesn't Airtrain put a bus on and have that TL contracted to complement the Airtrain when it is not running?

Maybe even allow bus routes that are operated by BCC to continue into the Airport precinct by changing the status of the bus as it enters the Airport. The QR trains are driven by QR staff under contract into the Airport, so why can't the same concept apply to BCC buses?

Airtrain could contract BCC to drive the bus for the section inside the Airport perimeter. A surcharge could be added on touch off, just like the train.

[Gazza]

Airtrain could contract BCC to drive the bus for the section inside the Airport perimeter. A surcharge could be added on touch off, just like the train.

OK, it might be a tough pill to swallow, but heavy rail to our airport is just viable as it is. If you've ever ridden airtrain, you'd know it is very lightly loaded.

Ultimately we are a low density city, and it's hard to forsee being able to have multiple routes competing with each other and diluting things.

I don't know how on one hand we can argue for bus reform, and getting rid of routes that duplicate rail, or other buses.

But on the other hand, we want to start creating duplication by operating buses in competition with a rail line.

Could we not just route more buses to provide interchange at Eagle Junction?

[ozbob]

It is locked up to 2036.  The only thing that could happen is if the State stumped up the moolah to buy out the Airtrain contract.

But I doubt that will happen as it goes to the State for no cost in 2036.

Still, better bus connections at you suggest Gazza would help.  With the second runway there will be more pax travelling.

Traffic congestion is going to be a significant issue.

[Gazza]

If there is a 2nd runway, would running Airtrain every 15 mins all day work?

[timh]

Airtrain could contract BCC to drive the bus for the section inside the Airport perimeter. A surcharge could be added on touch off, just like the train.

OK, it might be a tough pill to swallow, but heavy rail to our airport is just viable as it is. If you've ever ridden airtrain, you'd know it is very lightly loaded.

Ultimately we are a low density city, and it's hard to forsee being able to have multiple routes competing with each other and diluting things.

I don't know how on one hand we can argue for bus reform, and getting rid of routes that duplicate rail, or other buses.

But on the other hand, we want to start creating duplication by operating buses in competition with a rail line.

Could we not just route more buses to provide interchange at Eagle Junction?

It is very lightly loaded under normal circumstances. We could increase frequency to 15 mins off peak but the biggest thing stopping people from taking the train is the cost.

I took the Air train on one of the fair free Mondays just for funsies, and noticed Airtrain patronage was much higher than I would expect for a normal day (especially for midday on a Monday).

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[#Metro]

Airtrain contracts a public train operator to get to the Airport, it could equally contract a public bus to enter the Airport precinct as well IMHO.

Pax touches off, gets charged a special Airtrain set fare. Win all around.

- BCC gets its bus to the Airport
- Airtrain gets more revenue
- People outside the rail catchment get to the Airport

I suggest modifying cross-town route 369 to extend into DFO and the Airport.
The moment the bus crosses the Airport boundary, its status would change to be a bus operated by BCC pursuant to a contract with Airtrain. This is the same status change applied to the QR trains going to the Airport.

The 369 would allow bus-bus connections with the Northern busway. The Lord Mayor and BCC should sit down with Airtrain and see what is possible.

[Gazza]

The Lord Mayor and BCC should sit down with Airtrain and see what is possible.

Will you be sending the LM an email with your proposal?

[SurfRail]

Airtrain contracts a public train operator to get to the Airport, it could equally contract a public bus to enter the Airport precinct as well IMHO.

That is incorrect.  Airtrain has monopoly rights over the rail service.  It does not have a general public passenger transport monopoly to and from the airport precinct, but the state is highly constrained in what it can do under the BARL Deed.

There is absolutely no point banging this drum.  Like it or not, they have a legal right to oppose people competing with their business by virtue of government sign-off in the late 90s.  This is an excellent lesson in how not to do things, but it doesn't help us here and now.

If there was some opportunity to do a deal, I would say it would be limited to something like the 590 which in no way competes with their corridor or access to the the city.  Again, it needs their agreement, and they don't have any incentive to do anything other than insist on performance of the terms of their current arrangement without being paid for it.

[verbatim9]

^^They will probably run a Glider to Skygate via Hamilton Northshore, but they also need BAC to extend Airport shuttles from there, otherwise there is no point

[#Metro]

That is incorrect.  Airtrain has monopoly rights over the rail service.  It does not have a general public passenger transport monopoly to and from the airport precinct, but the state is highly constrained in what it can do under the BARL Deed.

Would it be a violation of BARL if AirTrain were to operate an extension tacked onto the end of the route 369 bus - only a km or two -  from the Airport perimeter to the terminals, and charge a suitable fare for that, which they (Airtrain) will set and collect? Doubt it.

A 369 extension wouldn't compete with the train if AirTrain also contracts the bus and collects and controls the fare. I think it would be profitable given that it is only 1 staff and 1-2 km every half hour (low costs). Could be trialled. Fares could be set such that there would be no prejudice to the Airtrain service.

There is absolutely no point banging this drum.  Like it or not, they have a legal right to oppose people competing with their business by virtue of government sign-off in the late 90s.  This is an excellent lesson in how not to do things, but it doesn't help us here and now.

The idea hasn't been put to them, and I think it would be cheap to run and complement the rail service - it would give then an opportunity to grow their business and collect even more revenue from fares. Plus they could operate it outside of AirTrain hours as well. People value having the late-night option, it would boost ticket sales IMHO.

If there was some opportunity to do a deal, I would say it would be limited to something like the 590 which in no way competes with their corridor or access to the the city.  Again, it needs their agreement, and they don't have any incentive to do anything other than insist on performance of the terms of their current arrangement without being paid for it.

It would be worth running it past them to see what they think. As long as they collect the revenue, why not?

[AnonymouslyBad]

It is very lightly loaded under normal circumstances. We could increase frequency to 15 mins off peak but the biggest thing stopping people from taking the train is the cost.

Frequency is the biggest issue by far. People see the 20 minute wait for a train and turn right back around towards the terminal (probably to order an uber). Not being dramatic - I see this happen, literally, almost every time I'm at Brisbane airport.

People don't like the cost, and certainly a few more people would catch Airtrain if it were cheaper, but if we took the exact same Airtrain service as now and made it $5, still hardly anybody would use it. Because the airport's the last place most people want to be waiting 29 minutes for a train.

15 minute frequency all day would be fine. We can come up with all these fancy solutions, Airtrain contracting buses (and still charging a ridiculous fee) and all the rest of it, but unless they run every 5 minutes there's no point. The far simpler solution is just fixing the Airtrain frequency, because once a train turns up the service is pretty good.

Also, the better legibility and visibility of rail is doubly important when we're talking about the airport. I suffer through the SkyBus in Melbourne regularly, and its share of airport trips seems to be ... virtually zero. (It looks decent - because they're buses.) The transport arrangements at that airport feel like we've gone back to the 1970s and the bus isn't even on the list of options for 95% of people - just like every other airport. Trains qualify on the list for at least a quarter of people I reckon

[verbatim9]

It is very lightly loaded under normal circumstances. We could increase frequency to 15 mins off peak but the biggest thing stopping people from taking the train is the cost.

Frequency is the biggest issue by far. People see the 20 minute wait for a train and turn right back around towards the terminal (probably to order an uber). Not being dramatic - I see this happen, literally, almost every time I'm at Brisbane airport.

People don't like the cost, and certainly a few more people would catch Airtrain if it were cheaper, but if we took the exact same Airtrain service as now and made it $5, still hardly anybody would use it. Because the airport's the last place most people want to be waiting 29 minutes for a train.

15 minute frequency all day would be fine. We can come up with all these fancy solutions, Airtrain contracting buses (and still charging a ridiculous fee) and all the rest of it, but unless they run every 5 minutes there's no point. The far simpler solution is just fixing the Airtrain frequency, because once a train turns up the service is pretty good.

Also, the better legibility and visibility of rail is doubly important when we're talking about the airport. I suffer through the SkyBus in Melbourne regularly, and its share of airport trips seems to be ... virtually zero. (It looks decent - because they're buses.) The transport arrangements at that airport feel like we've gone back to the 1970s and the bus isn't even on the list of options for 95% of people - just like every other airport. Trains qualify on the list for at least a quarter of people I reckon

BAC already stated that they are not going to address frequency in the short term. My bet is they will extend hours of operation to 23:00 or 2330 just before or just after the second runway opens.

[verbatim9]

Couriermail.com.au---> Airtrain journeys slashed to as low as $10 via the Airtrain website and mobile web.

Brisbane Airtrain launches cheaper fares for pre-booked tickets, group tickets
Travellers now have more cost-effective options to get to and from Brisbane airport, with the cost of Airtrain services being slashed in order to compete better with rideshare giants, but there's a catch.

BOOKING ahead or travelling in a group could save a fortune on your trip out to the airport, with Brisbane Airtrain revamping prices to better compete with rideshare companies like DiDi and Uber.

The company, which has stations at the International and Domestic terminals, has cut prices for group tickets and pre-booked single tickets.

A single ticket booked seven days or more in advance will now cost $15, saving customers $4.50 over paying the standard fare.

Duo and group tickets have also been introduced, making it possible to travel to the airport for just $10 per person.

Two adults will cost $28, three adults $33 and four $40.

Brisbane Airtrain chief executive Chris Basche said kids also travelled free on the service and meant a family with young children could reach the airport for just $28.

"Airtrain is the only mode of transport to access Brisbane Airport that avoids the uncertainty of road congestion," Mr Basche said.

"The trip from Brisbane Airport to the City takes only 20 minutes and there are direct connections to the Gold Coast."

The new pricing mechanism was introduced on Monday

It comes as travel to the airport becomes increasingly competitive, with companies like Uber and DiDi newer and potentially cheaper than taxis and trains

On Tuesday, DiDi launched its carpool service DiDi Share, which allows multiple people to be picked up and dropped off while cutting the price of a fare by up to 40 per cent.

While the service isn't yet available to Brisbane Airport, DiDi spokesman Dan Jordan this week told The Courier-Mail that it would be expanded to cover more of the city if successful.

[kram0]

^ Their rights would have been grandfathered.

This stuff is not worth wasting time on.  The only way the exclusivity goes away early is if the State buys it back early.

Blame the LNP.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/6295

You might blame the government of the time for the exclusive agreement, but the hard reality is if it wasn't for the private consortium, we would still be like Melbourne and have no rail line at all to the airport.

I know which option I would prefer.