Airtrain

[James]

Why doesn't Airtrain start running buses that connect to Toombul or the busway?

Let's face it, the service frequency is atrocious.

Contract BCC and tack it onto the end of the 369. Charge a penalty fare on touch off.

The problem is that a RailBus (or AirBus - though that trademark is taken) would struggle to attract any patronage. The bus would be no faster than the AirTrain, possibly even slower once you factor in transferring to it at Eagle Junction. People also need to get to Eagle Junction - an additional transfer from some lines.

Not to mention buses would need to be purchased by AirTrain. Not happening.

SkyBus is the same price essentially as Airtrain.  People don't mind paying if there is the service.   The problem for Airtrain is it is perceived as not good value for money with the poor service levels.

The cost of a taxi to Tulla from the CBD is $60 and the bus is $18pp, the cost of a taxi from BNE to the CBD is $35 and the train is $15pp. SkyBus, despite being the same price, is better value for the distance travelled and cheaper as a proportion of the taxi fare. Further still, Tulla is a lot further from the CBD and traffic on CityLink can be variable. Compare this to Brisbane which has Airport Link (always empty & free flowing even in peak on a rainy day).

Your budget conscious travellers also have multiple regular PT options at MEL as well - 901+Craigieburn Line or 477/478+Airport West tram. Compare that to Brisbane where your option is SkyGate shuttle + 590 + train from Toombul - definitely one of the worst in the world IMHO.

It is all a great big cluster-fuk.

The earliest you can get to BNE by rail on a week day is 6.28am if you are on the Ipswich line.  The first down service misses the Airtrain service by 2 minutes ... 

Here lies the issue. Why am I going to get the train+train or train+bus when it is going to take me an hour to do a trip which Uber can do in 20-25mins? Why should I wait 29 minutes to save $10?

It is an inferior service, and because it doesn't charge low prices, it struggles to gain decent mode share. Unless you are a solo traveller, the economics don't work, and the price isn't right for budget-conscious travellers.

[#Metro]

The problem is that a RailBus (or AirBus - though that trademark is taken) would struggle to attract any patronage. The bus would be no faster than the AirTrain, possibly even slower once you factor in transferring to it at Eagle Junction. People also need to get to Eagle Junction - an additional transfer from some lines.

Not to mention buses would need to be purchased by AirTrain. Not happening.

Route 369 is a cross-town, so would be complimentary. Would also connect Nth busway. When 369 ran to DFO Brisbane Airport, it was almost full. Can always trial it for say 6 months.

In addition, in the same way that AirTrain owns no trains, it would not also have to own any buses either. Just contract BCC for service within the BAC perimeter.

[verbatim9]

The problem is that a RailBus (or AirBus - though that trademark is taken) would struggle to attract any patronage. The bus would be no faster than the AirTrain, possibly even slower once you factor in transferring to it at Eagle Junction. People also need to get to Eagle Junction - an additional transfer from some lines.

Not to mention buses would need to be purchased by AirTrain. Not happening.

Route 369 is a cross-town, so would be complimentary. Would also connect Nth busway. When 369 ran to DFO Brisbane Airport, it was almost full. Can always trial it for say 6 months.

In addition, in the same way that AirTrain owns no trains, it would not also have to own any buses either. Just contract BCC for service within the BAC perimeter.

For sure

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 15th January 2020 page 17

Do more to make Airtrain user-friendly

[ozbob]

Airtrain is $15 single if you pre-book.  Group of 4 $10 each.

And there you go. As someone that read this thread, I still didn't realize that they could pre-book and save heaps, and just went through the Journey Planner for the timetable and fares.

I imagine the general public has even less idea.

One has to ferret around to work out the best deals.  https://www.airtrain.com.au/catch-airtrain-to/brisbane-city/

They should have a page listing all the fares, but ....

https://www.airtrain.com.au/tickets/offers-and-discounts/city-duo-saver/

" $28 for two
The City Duo Saver is the perfect solution for you and a friend when travelling between Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City. ... "

https://www.airtrain.com.au/tickets/offers-and-discounts/group-fares/

" Airtrain is the best way to travel between Brisbane Airport to Brisbane City in a group with tickets starting at just $10pp*. ..."
*Based on 4 passengers or more

https://www.airtrain.com.au/tickets/offers-and-discounts/kids-travel-free/

"Kids aged 14 and under travel FREE when accompanied by an adult between Brisbane Airport and any Brisbane City station.  ..."

^ a number of conditions.  Follow link ..

====

From TransLink journey planner Central > BNE Domestic

Ticket type   Price
go card adult   $19.50
go card concession   $19.50
go card off-peak adult   $19.50 (off-peak)
go card off-peak concession   $19.50 (off-peak)
Single paper adult   $19.50
Single paper concession   $19.50

====

Online Airtrain site https://www.airtrain.com.au/booking-form/ > 7 days in advance

TICKET SUMMARY
TICKET TYPE
Train
FORWARD JOURNEY
Central Station to Airport Domestic
FORWARD DATE
30/01/2020
PASSENGERS
Adults - 1
Fares$19.50
Online discount-$4.50

Total$15.00

Automatically calculated to give you the best possible price including discounts
Please note: Airtrain does not operate a 24 hour service. Please ensure you've checked our timetable before placing your booking.

Your ticket is valid for any Airtrain service on the selected dates as well as 2 days either side of your selected dates.

Travel tomorrow:

TICKET SUMMARY
TICKET TYPE
Train
FORWARD JOURNEY
Central Station to Airport Domestic
FORWARD DATE
17/01/2020
PASSENGERS
Adults - 1
Total$19.50

====

It is really a mess. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

The problem is that a RailBus (or AirBus - though that trademark is taken) would struggle to attract any patronage. The bus would be no faster than the AirTrain, possibly even slower once you factor in transferring to it at Eagle Junction. People also need to get to Eagle Junction - an additional transfer from some lines.

Not to mention buses would need to be purchased by AirTrain. Not happening.

Route 369 is a cross-town, so would be complimentary. Would also connect Nth busway. When 369 ran to DFO Brisbane Airport, it was almost full. Can always trial it for say 6 months.

In addition, in the same way that AirTrain owns no trains, it would not also have to own any buses either. Just contract BCC for service within the BAC perimeter.

Oh how we quickly forget. The 369 used to go to DFO but was cut back to Toombul due to lack of patronage and the constant heavy delays that it was involved in. Many times buses were crowded but a lot of the time this was actually due to buses running 20-30 minutes late (it wasn't uncommon to have 2x or 3x 369's rock up at Toombul at the same time on what was a 4bph route. One bus was full while the other was empty). The late running also had a flow on effect to driver rostering and turnaround times. 369 and 335 were the worst for this IIRC. The patronage never lived up to the numbers so it was culled back to Toombul and it had a frequency reduction to 2bph (you can still see the issue with rostering around midday where the time gap between services blows out to about 50mins). The 590 was extended to cover the 369 removal and works quite well with the staggered starting times of DFO with most shops not opening until 10am.

Bob, I believe the pricing was spawned out of a few different things. If you use a gocard TMR/Translink do not subsidise any costs from the cubic system and pass that cost directly onto AirTrain who inturn pass that cost on to the gocard user. Their other ticketing options such as prepurchasing either online or at a railway station spawned prior to Translinks formation and in turn they can set prices and why travel across the entire seq network is included in the cost. Pre purchasing also has other benefits aswell such as travel delay compensation and free taxi services should the train be delayed. If you are at Varsity Lakes and your train is cancelled see a station staff member who will organise and pay for a taxi service to Brisbane Airport. Same goes if you are at Carseldine and the Springfield service is cancelled meaning you miss your connecting train - see a staff member and they will organise transport to the airport.

[ozbob]

Thanks HTG, the Airtrain guarantee ..

> https://www.airtrain.com.au/travel-info/service-information/airtrain-guarantee/

Forgot about the ticket books

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

10 trip ticket book Central to  BNE is $175 = $17.50.  Bit tough when you can buy ahead for $15.00 ... 

[#Metro]

Oh how we quickly forget. The 369 used to go to DFO but was cut back to Toombul due to lack of patronage and the constant heavy delays that it was involved in.

- There was no lack of patronage between Toombul and DFO on 369. Low patronage was after Toombul.

- Adding the Airport as a destination would increase patronage further, and allow easy access from the Northern busway

- Only a ~ 2 km increment on the existing BCC bus route would be required, which should be relatively affordable for Airtrain.

[verbatim9]

Thanks HTG, the Airtrain guarantee ..

> https://www.airtrain.com.au/travel-info/service-information/airtrain-guarantee/

Forgot about the ticket books

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

10 trip ticket book Central to  BNE is $175 = $17.50.  Bit tough when you can buy ahead for $15.00 ... 

Airtrain teams up with Union Pay Offers 20 YUAN  rebate

[Gazza]

The 369 was cut back to Toombul and the 590 was extended to Toombul to improve network legibility.

The DFO Terminus of the 590 was weird, because it meant people making connections to the north side had to switch to the 369 for a couple of stops to access the rail and bus services at Toombul interchange.

[techblitz]

my travel today both directions between archerfield && both airport terminals(taking the free skygate/airport electrics).

17 Jan 2020 
09:31 AM  Rocklea South - 41 -Marshall Rd             Report   
10:23 AM  King George Square Station 1E  10:24 AM  Roma St Bus Station (SEB IB Services)  $ 0.00     $ 18.41   Report   
10:25 AM  Roma Street  10:46 AM  Toombul  $ 0.00     $ 18.41   Report   
11:12 AM  Toombul Shopping Centre - Platform B  11:22 AM  Skygate Stop 2  $ 0.00     $ 18.41   Report   
04:30 PM  Skygate Stop 1  04:41 PM  Toombul Interchange  $ 3.37     $ 15.04   Report   
04:43 PM  Toombul  05:17 PM  South Bank  $ 0.74     $ 14.30   Report   
05:20 PM  South Bank busway station Platform 2  05:52 PM  Archerfield North - 43 -Beatty Rd  $ 0.00     $ 14.30   Report

total cost: 4.11

transfers were excellent.

To skygate 590 arrived ontime 11.22 ......11.30 airport bus departed skygate ontime...
Coming back from airport......ex-airport bus arrived 4.25.....590 to Toombul arrived ontime 3 minutes later......5 minutes after arriving at Toombul....citybound train pulls in...
jumpoff southbank station....3 mins and the 115 pulls into southbank bus station...
The only negative with the trip today was the 3 rotations of traffic lights for the 590 to get onto sandgate rd.....traffic is getting progressively worse around there....not good...

[James]

Route 369 is a cross-town, so would be complimentary. Would also connect Nth busway. When 369 ran to DFO Brisbane Airport, it was almost full. Can always trial it for say 6 months.

In addition, in the same way that AirTrain owns no trains, it would not also have to own any buses either. Just contract BCC for service within the BAC perimeter.

I almost included this point in my post, but removed it for brevity.

I agree that Route 369 really should run to the DFO. The fact it was full on the Toombul - DFO link probably indicates there is the demand there (particularly off-peak) for the 369 to run to the DFO and provide 4bph Toombul - DFO.

The only negative with the trip today was the 3 rotations of traffic lights for the 590 to get onto sandgate rd.....traffic is getting progressively worse around there....not good...

This was a major problem ~5 years ago. It took about 10 minutes to get from that off-ramp to Toombul interchange. Perhaps having the 590 (and 369 if it were extended to the DFO) use Widdop Street would be a good alternative?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Widdop Street is just as bad.

[tazzer9]

Came across this monstrosity earlier.
"Standard Airtrain fares will be charged when travelling to/from Airport stations on route R700 and R701."

What absolute nonsense.  what is it, $17 to travel on a bus.   At least its express to roma street

[timh]

Came across this monstrosity earlier.
"Standard Airtrain fares will be charged when travelling to/from Airport stations on route R700 and R701."

What absolute nonsense.  what is it, $17 to travel on a bus.   At least its express to roma street

Totally agree. As I mentioned in another thread, you shouldn't have to pay full Airtrain fares for a rail replacement bus

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

We are excited over the hear that there will be 100 new flights within QLD shortly! We can't wait to welcome you back. Our services are operating our normal timetable, with extra health & safety measures. Visit our COVID-19 travel update webpage for more - https://t.co/yMCQtjV7Uk

https://twitter.com/BrisAirtrain/status/1268772929757679618

[ozbob]

7 July 2020

AIRTRAIN STATEMENT – 20 YEARS LOST TIME INJURY FREE

Brisbane Airtrain operates the Brisbane Airport Rail Link (BARL) connecting Brisbane
Airport with Brisbane City and the Gold Coast in an alliance arrangement with Broadspectrum

Brisbane Airtrain is responsible for operating and maintaining 8.5km of elevated rail
infrastructure connecting the Queensland Rail CityTrain network with the Domestic
and International Stations at Brisbane Airport. Since commencing operations in 2001
the business has seen nearly 30 million passengers travel through the airport stations.

On 1 July 2020 Brisbane Airtrain achieved the milestone of 20 years lost time injury
free (LTIF) since construction was completed (July 2000). LTIF is a statistic used as
a benchmark for safety performance. Over the past 20 years Airtrain, Broadspectrum
and contractors working on the business have accrued more than 1,330,000 hours
without an injury that required time off work.

Airtrain's Chief Executive, Chris Basche, stated "the milestone represents a strong
safety culture within the organisation over a 20-year period. I would like to thank all
staff that that been involved with Airtrain over the past 20 years".

Airtrain's result of zero LTIF compares against the rail industry benchmark of 6.9
LTIFR per million hours worked.

Peter Richardson, Chief Executive Transport for Broadspectrum stated; "this is a
significant achievement in the history of our involvement with Airtrain which
demonstrates the positive safety culture that the team have built during this time. My
thanks go out to all of those involved in reaching this milestone."

[red dragin]

So, they are comparing their 1.33 million hours worked between injuries, against the industry standard of 6.9 million hours, and telling us that they are great?

If I am reading that correctly, they shouldn't have mentioned the industry standard, as 20 years sounds so much better.

[Golliwog]

So, they are comparing their 1.33 million hours worked between injuries, against the industry standard of 6.9 million hours, and telling us that they are great?

If I am reading that correctly, they shouldn't have mentioned the industry standard, as 20 years sounds so much better.

The article isn't written well about the industry standard.

LTIFR is LTI Frequency Rate. So what that is actually saying is that for every million hours worked, they would expect 6.9 lost time injuries.

[red dragin]

So, they are comparing their 1.33 million hours worked between injuries, against the industry standard of 6.9 million hours, and telling us that they are great?

If I am reading that correctly, they shouldn't have mentioned the industry standard, as 20 years sounds so much better.

The article isn't written well about the industry standard.

LTIFR is LTI Frequency Rate. So what that is actually saying is that for every million hours worked, they would expect 6.9 lost time injuries.

Ah, now that you've clarified it, I can see my error in reading it. 

[verbatim9]

[verbatim9]

Airtrain----> 21 dollar return train fares until Mar 31.

[verbatim9]

Couriermail---> Restructuring firm called in to assist troubled AirTrain $$$

A restructuring firm has been called in to advise Brisbane's AirTrain, which reportedly has "a significant sum of debt' weighing it down.

Brisbane's AirTrain is reportedly facing a looming business crisis, with an insolvency, advisory and restructuring firm called in to help the besieged transport service.

[verbatim9]

I thought this line was paid off. Must be the running costs then? Payments to QR, Station Staff and maintenance of the line...

[verbatim9]

Unfortunately with restricted domestic borders, income must of been severed. I hope the domestic borders remain open and never close again after this closure. There needs to be amendment in the Federal constitution for the Federal Government to take control of issues like this.

[SurfRail]

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for the State to take it over early.

[ozbob]

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for the State to take it over early.

Yo, I was thinking along the same lines ...

[kram0]

I thought this line was paid off. Must be the running costs then? Payments to QR, Station Staff and maintenance of the line...

I do not believe it is paid off. I would guess the debt would have been restructured as part of the take over by the pension fund that acquired it in 2012.

It would be a good time to make this part of the QR network however and the government take it over.

I am sure Sydney Airport rail line are suffering from similar financial pressures also.

[ozbob]

Under the BOOT scheme it is due to be transferred back to Government (QR) 2036, services commenced 2001.

In late 2012, U.K. pension fund Universities Superannuation Scheme bought Airtrain for A$110 million

Premier
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Thursday, February 11, 1999

Brisbane Airport rail link to go ahead

The State Government has finalised arrangements for a privately-funded $200 million rail line to link Brisbane's central business district with the international and domestic airport terminals by 2001, Premier Peter Beattie announced today.

"An airport-city train link is essential if Brisbane is going to rank as a major international city and I congratulate all those who have played a part in making this link a reality," said Mr Beattie.

"Such a link is one of the few assets that Brisbane has been lacking and I am proud that once again we are demonstrating that Queensland is the action state. We're making things happen."

Making the announcement with the Premier were Airtrain Citylink Limited Chair James Cutts, Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer and Brisbane Lord Mayor Jim Soorley.

"This multi-million dollar rail link will bring enormous economic, employment and public transport benefits to Brisbane," said Mr Beattie.

"We expect the project to provide the equivalent of more than 500 full-time jobs during the 27-month design and construction period."

Mr Bredhauer said the link was a great boost for public transport in South-East Queensland, where it was important to promote public transport as a viable alternative to using cars.

"One of the best ways to successfully improve public transport usage is to provide infrastructure providing reliable, comfortable and easy travel such as the new rail link," he said. "It is significant that the project has attracted private funding because it shows the private sector has the confidence to invest in public infrastructure in Queensland."

Mr Cutts said it would take just over two years to build the link, with construction due to start later this year. Design work would start this month.

Airtrain would build 8.5 km of new rail, linking the existing Queensland Rail network near Toombul to the Airport, said Mr Cutts.

Most of the link would be elevated and feature two stations - one at the international terminal, the other at the domestic terminal.

Passengers would be travelling to the Airport by train by mid-2001, Mr Cutts said.

"Services will run directly from the Airport to the City and to the Gold Coast by linking into the Citytrain network run by Queensland Rail," Mr Cutts said.

Mr Beattie said the State Government had finalised agreement on the basis that Airtrain would build and operate the rail link to the airport at the company's expense.

The project had been approved on the basis that Airtrain would pay for the project in return for the right to operate the rail link for 35 years.

After 35 years, it would be turned over to the State Government.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Jim Soorley said Brisbane City Council had played a key role in bringing Airtrain to fruition.

"Council, as a major land holder along the route, gave the project full support because we recognised the significant benefits of Airtrain to the city," Cr Soorley said.

"We receive a valuable rail corridor for residents and tourists linking the city and the Gold Coast to the airport," he said.

"At the same time it will help reduce traffic congestion and assist in maintaining our city's air quality," Cr Soorley said.

^ https://web.archive.org/web/20120226175125/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=25119

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1352261671364878338


https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1352365497220665344

[#Metro]

Airtrain has a great future with the expansion of Brisbane Airport and the new second runway.

The coronavirus pandemic and cancellation of most flights has probably hit it very hard.

If the Queensland Government (which is cash strapped) bought Airtrain, they would be buying a debt and a loss

making enterprise (at least for the next few years) while Coronavirus resolves itself.

Purchasing Airtrain is not required to alter the Airtrain fare levels, just as direct operation of private bus and

ferry operators is not required to regulate their fares.

[ozbob]

I don't think international travel will really get into gear until 2022, so pax numbers dependent on Domestic passengers in the main for another year probably.  And this fluctuates with the ' border closures '  so they really need to hang on until then.
If they are going insolvent then steps will need to be taken to stabilise financially.

Spreadsheet > https://backontrack.org/docs/patronage/2019_20/tl/bne12_13to19_20.ods

They lost ~26% of their patronage  basically in 3 months last FY.  So they probably down 80-90% passengers which is significant loss.

International passengers are about 35% of the normal passenger years.

I suppose the question is for the outfit that owns Airtrain is do they continue with losses hoping to start recouping in FY 21/22?  This cuts down the period before the Airtrain is transferred back to Government and the time to profit.

What would it mean if say they said to Government you take on the debt and we will transfer it early.  Depends on the amount, but the Government would receive the fare revenue which will be greater than the cost of services which Airtrain is paying for, once normal air services resumed ( No, I don't think they would reduce the fares significantly).  Under the service contract I don't think it was possible for Airtrain to reduce the service frequency.  So they continued to pay for the services with probably less than 10% of normal passenger loads. No wonder they are in a spot of bother.

Another approach would be for BAC to join as an equity partner taking a longer term view.  But again they only have to 2036 to turn a profit.

Interesting situation.

[ozbob]

The Australian --> All aboard: Restructuring firm called in on Queensland airport rail service $

Insolvency, advisory and restructuring firm McGrathNicol is understood to have been called in to provide advice on Airtrain — the Queensland rail service that transports passengers between the Gold Coast and Brisbane Airport — in a further sign of the pressure facing tourism-related companies linked to the global pandemic.

It is understood that Airtrain, which is owned by Universities Superannuation Scheme, a pension fund based in the United Kingdom, has a significant sum of debt owing to its lenders.

The business was said to be struggling last year when the majority of domestic and international flights were cancelled in and out of the state due to COVID-19. ...

[ozbob]

$21 return fares* to Brisbane City for a limited time only!

https://www.airtrain.com.au/celebrating2021/

Terms and conditions apply to this offer:

Offer must be used for a return trip.
Offer is available for booking between 1 – 31 January 2021 for travel between 1 January – 31 March 2021.
Offer is available through Airtrain website only.
This ticket is non-refundable but transferable, to transfer this ticket you must notify us before the date of travel.
The offer is only available between the Domestic and International Airport stations and City Stations. The list of city stations includes South Brisbane, Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Albion, Wooloowin and Eagle Junction.
E-ticket terms and conditions also apply to this offer.
Valid until further notice. All information is correct as of 23 December 2020. Airtrain reserves the right to make changes without prior notice and to withdraw the scheme at any time.

[mufreight]

The logical response to the present situation with Airtrain would be for the government to take it over and fully integrate it with the citytrain network, a buyout by the government would solve the problems permanently and give QR more flexibility in operating the service.

[verbatim9]

It would be very controversial for a Government.to buy on more.debt when it's in debt itself.

[achiruel]

Unfortunately with restricted domestic borders, income must of been severed. I hope the domestic borders remain open and never close again after this closure. There needs to be amendment in the Federal constitution for the Federal Government to take control of issues like this.

In general, borders are not permitted to be closed, and this is already in the constitution. However, the High Court has found in the past when the intention is e.g. to prevent spread of disease during a pandemic, and not for reasons such as restraining trade, that border closures are constitutional. The border closures in general have served their intended purpose, and we would be in a much worse situation in Australia without them. There is no reason to amend the constitution.

[pangwen]

Unfortunately with restricted domestic borders, income must of been severed. I hope the domestic borders remain open and never close again after this closure. There needs to be amendment in the Federal constitution for the Federal Government to take control of issues like this.

In general, borders are not permitted to be closed, and this is already in the constitution. However, the High Court has found in the past when the intention is e.g. to prevent spread of disease during a pandemic, and not for reasons such as restraining trade, that border closures are constitutional. The border closures in general have served their intended purpose, and we would be in a much worse situation in Australia without them. There is no reason to amend the constitution.

Going a little off topic, but amending the constitution over this is almost guaranteed to fail. The border closures enjoyed quite significant support in the states where it happened (WA/Qld/SA/Tas), so you couldn't get the majority of states across the line in a referendum. Even if there's some change in heart, you need public opinion in at least two of those four states to change significantly, which I can't see happening (especially in WA).

[SteelPan]

Qld Govt should move to BUY Airtrain with the price depressed - money never been cheaper to borrow - even more so for govts. Money for nothing basically.

Grab it NOW....why you got the chance and make it part of the suburban network - after say 10yrs of keeping an Airport Levy, to help meet the borrowing costs.

Makes great commercial sense.

[verbatim9]

Qld Govt should move to BUY Airtrain with the price depressed - money never been cheaper to borrow - even more so for govts. Money for nothing basically.

Grab it NOW....why you got the chance and make it part of the suburban network - after say 10yrs of keeping an Airport Levy, to help meet the borrowing costs.

Makes great commercial sense.

Remember when the NSW government bought back their Airport rail line. They still kept the gate surcharge at Mascot and the Terminals. I believe that Green Sq became part of the regular fare network.

Apparently the extra money collected on the Sydney airport line from gate surcharges goes back into providing improved services.

Saying that Skygate station should be built and have no fare gate surcharge.

The Government if they were to buy it back should keep some kind of gate surcharge at the terminals, to prevent burdening tax payers even further.

I don't think it will happen though it's not currently up for sale. See what happens after the debt restructuring?