Cars & Transportation

The decision for a rail link to Melbourne Airport?

Cars & Transportation

Posted by: havalaugh

28th Feb 2012 01:59am

I was reading this sunday's Hearld Sun 26/2/12 and came across a page on the question of the plus & minus of running a train link out to Melbourne Airport. I am all for train travel, as our freeway to the airport is congested badly between 6pm & 8pm from what I read. But some were saying it's way to costly & some were saying it is the only way to go, for a number of reasons. One to stop the congestion on the freeway. Two because it is cheaper than building an arterial freeway. And last but not least it will cut down on car pollution and people parking were they shouldn't to pick up or drop off travellers. But what I can't understand is there are several suburbs that have not had rail travel running through them for years that this also could accomodate and that is Gladestone Park & Tullamarine itself. They have a very sparce bus system running through them that runs from Broadmeadows station all through West Meadows then onto Gladstone Park & back. Not to mention this bus cuts out around 8.30pm so you can't afford to miss the last bus. I don't know about the Tullamarine bus service except the bus that runs from the city out to the airport. Which if you want to take this make sure you have a novel to take with you for the ride. I think this train link could accomodate more than just the people to & from the airport. It could run through these suburbs that could have done with a train link for years. What are your thoughts on the matter?


Comments 5

Melcharm32
  • 4th Jun 2013 03:33pm

Not sure about the economics, but if we want to be taken seriously as an international travel destination a rail link to the airport is vital. Makes sense to service the local community as well if the need is there.

Trushka
  • 27th Jun 2013 06:07pm
Not sure about the economics, but if we want to be taken seriously as an international travel destination a rail link to the airport is vital. Makes sense to service the local community as well if...

Agreed. But while we're waiting for more white papers and feasibility studies about the train, why can met run buses along the express lane from Southern Cross station to the airport - and travellers use their Myki card? It would only take 20 or 30 minutes. There may be some opposition from Sky bus and airport management over lost parking revenue.

manx
  • 30th Mar 2012 06:40pm

Train/airport links are great when they are cheap, efficient and run 24/7.
Doesn't quite describe Melbourne Trains does it.

dave
  • 8th Apr 2012 11:53pm
Train/airport links are great when they are cheap, efficient and run 24/7.
Doesn't quite describe Melbourne Trains does it.

agree

littletoot
  • 1st Mar 2012 03:12pm

Its gotta go somewhere. so why not plan to take it to places that don't have any service and are on the way to the airport. I have travelled a lot internationally and have found that train links to airports are the most effective way for travellers and locals to access airports without having to pay extortionate parking fees. The creation of new railway links is always very expensive when they are going in, but they soon pay back the cost and more. I am greatful when I think of the forethought that must have gone in to rail systems put inplace by previous generations and marvel at how difficult decision it must have been and the foresight in going ahead. I think well planned public transport systems, especially rail are the answer to many of our problems of congestion and polution. The building of bigger and bigger freeways are not the answer. You only have to look at the system in LA USA to realise why bigger freeways just don't work.

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