Airports ...

[SurfRail]

^ Surfside will not be acquiring artics - they have an institutional hatred of them dating back to the late 80's and early 90s.  It would take a change of operator to change that, and clearly current policy means this will not happen.

Plus, they are more expensive to buy than the deckers, more expensive to operate under the present industrial arrangements, and frankly aren't necessary for the 777.  The deckers just need to have some of the bottom deck seating behind the stairwell taken out and replaced with luggage racks.

If you were going to run artics anywhere, it would be on the 700.

[verbatim9]

It only needs to take direction from TransLink to change the status quo. They can't be anymore expensive then buying a double decker with training. Double decker busses are just not suited to mass transit in today's world. Articulated are a good transition mode before the light rail extension south. If you think the 700 is suited to articulated then it should be pursued, as well as running them on the 777 route. The Gold Coast Hwy is reasonably straight and flat good for articulated.

[SurfRail]

It only needs to take direction from TransLink to change the status quo. They can't be anymore expensive then buying a double decker with training. Double decker busses are just not suited to mass transit in today's world. Articulated are a good transition mode before the light rail extension south. If you think the 700 is suited to articulated then it should be pursued, as well as running them on the 777 route. The Gold Coast Hwy is reasonably straight and flat good for articulated.

The double decks are at least $100,000 cheaper than available artic models from the major suppliers and take up considerably less space in depots and on the road.  Do you think TransLink is in a rush to spend money anywhere at the moment, let alone on a corridor which really doesn't need it?

Somebody better tell Hong Kong they are doing everything wrong by the way...

[verbatim9]

It only needs to take direction from TransLink to change the status quo. They can't be anymore expensive then buying a double decker with training. Double decker busses are just not suited to mass transit in today's world. Articulated are a good transition mode before the light rail extension south. If you think the 700 is suited to articulated then it should be pursued, as well as running them on the 777 route. The Gold Coast Hwy is reasonably straight and flat good for articulated.

The double decks are at least $100,000 cheaper than available artic models from the major suppliers and take up considerably less space in depots and on the road.  Do you think TransLink is in a rush to spend money anywhere at the moment, let alone on a corridor which really doesn't need it?

Somebody better tell Hong Kong they are doing everything wrong by the way...

As far as I know Hong Kong don't design their PT around a anti discrimination or disabitly act. Low floor articulated bus are far better suited in this instance as well as fast boarding and  disembarking at stops. Its called future proofing especially with the comm games coming up.

[Stillwater]

Double deckers suited to a tourist town like the Gold Coast.  Bus stop architecture and ramps giving access to the lower deck, with provision there for wheelchairs, would meet DDA requirements.

[verbatim9]

Realize that Double Deckers do have disability provisions here in Australia. But exactly how you quoted "Double Deckers a tourist bus" not a mass transit bus. The 777 is a limited stop bus anyway from Broadbeach beach to OOL. If the stops are not long enough they can be  easily modified.

[#Metro]

Just checked the 777. There does not appear to be stops in Tugun or Currumbin...

[verbatim9]

Just checked the 777. There does not appear to be stops in Tugun or Currumbin...

Yes Limited Stops

[James]

Just checked the 777. There does not appear to be stops in Tugun or Currumbin...

This is because the stops along Golden Four Drive in Tugun/Currumbin are covered by route 760 and these locations are primarily low-density suburbia, hence do not warrant the high frequency of the 777 (particularly when the 700 already exists here). The 777's purpose is to quickly get the tourists up to the locations which they care about (i.e. Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise via LRT).

I would say that double-decker is fine on this route, and in fact, this is probably one of the most suitable routes for it in SEQ. You have a large amount of people getting on at the origin (Broadbeach, and pax feeding in from the north) and all getting off at the terminus (Airport) with few passengers interested in getting on/off at in between points (Burleigh would probably be the only exception). Fast boarding in this case is not much of a big deal. It also has the tourist appeal as it stands out.

As I've mentioned in other threads though, if they're exclusively on the airport runs, I'd like to see the buses painted in 'Airport Express' livery, with stops painted in this way just like they are with the CityGlider in Brisbane. Combine this with a few luggage racks and proper branding, I honestly think the GC would have a better airport PT option than Brisbane.

[SurfRail]

Just checked the 777. There does not appear to be stops in Tugun or Currumbin...

Been this way for some time now.  Last stop is in Palm Beach.

Even when it was the "all-stops" 702 to Southport, the last stop was at Currumbin Hill, then straight down the highway to the airport non-stop (the local buses have always gone via Currumbin Sanctuary and Teemangum St through Tugun and on to Golden Four Drive.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Archerfield Airport wins three-year master plan battle

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gold Coast Airport set for $200m upgrade

[verbatim9]

That's news from a couple of weeks ago as I posted on the forum about the bus service 777 to change from Double Deckers to low floor diesel hybrid articulated with Wi-Fi
But I guess being published by Fairfax media must be official!? Other than News Ltd

[verbatim9]

Looks good though! The aero Bridges will be handy, but not until early 2020. Wonder of HSR will be on track by then or the Gold Coast line extended to OOL for expected demand ?

[James]

Looks good though! The aero Bridges will be handy, but not until early 2020. Wonder of HSR will be on track by then or the Gold Coast line extended to OOL for expected demand ?

We're not even going to have Stage 2 of the GCLRT ready by then probably, yet alone the GC line being extended to OOL. This is Queensland.

My favourite part about this project is that it will only cope with growth until 2023. Only 3 years of finished construction before another expansion is required. Queenslander!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Gold Coast Airport ILS plan opposed by Qantas, Jetstar

A CONTROVERSIAL new aircraft landing system and flight path proposed for Gold Coast Airport has been dealt what could be a fatal blow, with Qantas and Jetstar shooting down the plan.

Airport bosses want the $10 million instrument landing system (ILS) to allow planes to land in bad weather and avoid diversions to Brisbane, inconveniencing tourists and locals alike.

But the system would require a new flight path over the heavily populated northern Gold Coast, affecting thousands of residents.

Residents have rallied against the ILS, and the Gold Coast City Council last month voted against it in the face of growing public outcry.

Now the Qantas/Jetstar group has added its powerful voice to the chorus of opposition against the ILS ...

More  --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gold-coast-airport-ils-plan-opposed-by-qantas-jetstar/story-fnihsrf2-1227447093686

[red dragin]

The ILS isn't controversial, its installation is.

Such poor writing.

[SurfRail]

I suspect this is protectionism at work (ie they don't want slots at OOL being taken up from new international / Asian carriers who would be likely to approach from the north and would prefer an ILS).

[SurfRail]

Looks good though! The aero Bridges will be handy, but not until early 2020. Wonder of HSR will be on track by then or the Gold Coast line extended to OOL for expected demand ?

We're not even going to have Stage 2 of the GCLRT ready by then probably, yet alone the GC line being extended to OOL. This is Queensland.

My favourite part about this project is that it will only cope with growth until 2023. Only 3 years of finished construction before another expansion is required. Queenslander!

The airport has a masterplan to 2031 and as far as I know this is consistent with it.  The expansion is to the south and can be staged as needed - and when it is up and running, they can go back and carry out some serious works on the existing terminal.

The 2031 version is meant to be able to support 20m passenger movements per year IIRC, which is more than half of what BNE currently handles.

[#Metro]

It's dangerous to have planes flying around in bad weather trying to land with improper landing guides. Especially in a city with tall buildings.

[James]

I suspect this is protectionism at work (ie they don't want slots at OOL being taken up from new international / Asian carriers who would be likely to approach from the north and would prefer an ILS).

Sort of right. What nobody mentions in this article (or in the comments) is that ILS increases the number of aircraft which can land per hour (and has flow on effects to the number of aircraft which can take off to). That means more aircraft can land and hence, more competition for airlines currently flying into OOL. It is in Qantas' best interest to keep long-haul passengers contained at BNE, as that is where Qantas gets most of its passenger feed and is more able to compete with foreign carriers there. Similarly, Jetstar faces more competition should they introduce an ILS.

In the whole scheme of things, an airline couldn't give a damn if they approach from the north/south. After flying 5,000km+, another 10km to circle and approach from the south is nothing.

It's dangerous to have planes flying around in bad weather trying to land with improper landing guides. Especially in a city with tall buildings.

Right now the planes only cross the coast around Burleigh when landing from the north - well away from Surfers. There are air charts and so forth that pilots study prior to landing which list restricted air spaces due to building height. It really isn't a safety issue.

[ozbob]

Twitter

SunshineCoastCouncil ‏@CouncilSCC  9m

Big news for @SunCoastAirport: @Qantas will fly between #SunshineCoast and #Sydney from December. Business flights start Feb 2016.

[Arnz]

Some details in the Sunshine Coast Daily article - Aircraft will be a QantasLink 717 (operated by Cobham Australia).  QantasLink will RON (Remain Over Night) a 717 at MCY.

Unsure if QF will be scheduling a 2-class 717 (with Business and Economy), or the all-economy class 717.  The business timings (departing 0630 ex-MCY and another QFLink aircraft arriving MCY at 1815 before they RON the aircraft for the evening) suggests strongly they may send the 2-class a/c.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/qantas-fly-sunshine-coast-sydney-six-mornings-week/2714620/

[petey3801]

Might have to go for a trip from Maroochy to Sydney! Have been wanting to travel on a B717 for a while now, perfect chance to do it!

[Arnz]

http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/smarter-flying-sees-qantas-back-to-sunshine-coast/

Flights brought forward to December 2015 (for the Holiday season) before the Business timings kick off in February 2016.
The QantasLink aircraft will be a 2-class 717 (with Q-Streaming), thus providing competition to Virgin for J (Business) class passengers on the MCY-SYD route.

[Stillwater]

Local SC media report that Qantas will offer business and economy class on aircraft with total of 110 passengers.  Early morning flight will take off at 6.40am for arrival Sydney at 9.15am.

[Arnz]

Local SC media report that Qantas will offer business and economy class on aircraft with total of 110 passengers.  Early morning flight will take off at 6.40am for arrival Sydney at 9.15am.

And as was reported in the SC Daily.  It's a 'QantasLink' branded Boeing 717 operated by Cobham Aviation Services Australia (a regional contractor with bases out of Adelaide and Sydney)

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gold Coast to know by Christmas whether planes will fly over suburbs

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New Brisbane Airport hotels break ground

[pandmaster]

It is great to see a monopoly on airport hotels...

[verbatim9]

The hotels are managed by Accor not sure if the building is owned by Accor. Accor is a good brand they manage hotels well

[pandmaster]

I am a fan of Accor as well. However, having all the hotels in the airport precinct (Ibis Budget, Novotel, Ibis and Pullman) run by the same company is bad for consumers through a lack of competition and thus higher prices.

[nathandavid88]

The hotels are managed by Accor not sure if the building is owned by Accor. Accor is a good brand they manage hotels well

I'm pretty sure the new hotels are owned by Scott and Anthony Flynn, who are also the owners of the existing Novotel.

[verbatim9]

Yes its up to the owners to which management group they go with but they have decided on Accor and may have got a good deal since they have the Hotel at DFO branded as Novotel. Like Shops at Westfield the more you have through the chain the better deal you have on rent. It's business! No doubt in the future Hilton Group or IHG group may also build a property within the Airport precinct as passenger numbers grow after the second runway is built.

[pandmaster]

Like Shops at Westfield the more you have through the chain the better deal you have on rent.

So Accor get a good deal on rent to boost their profits more? I very much doubt any savings would be passed on to consumers. Why would they be in a monopoly situation?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's bid to rise above CBD height limits

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Airport's $45m international terminal refurbishment officially opens

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Sunshine Coast Airport flood, money worries up in the air

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Toowoomba's Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport to welcome first international flight

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Qld welcomes Wellcamp airport's international link