(Sydney) Airport bus and train links 'dismal'

[Joe Frampton]

Quoted from www.smh.com.au, 17 July...

Linton Besser Transport Reporter
July 17, 2008

SYDNEY AIRPORT has blasted the State Government for "unsatisfactory" public transport at its terminals, claiming bus and rail services were "well below international standards".

The Macquarie Bank-owned facility launched the tirade in its official submission to a national aviation policy being drafted by the Commonwealth.

Despite charging high prices for parking and other ancillary services at its terminals, the airport claimed the privately owned Airport Rail Link was too expensive, that trains were too infrequent and that bus services were inadequate.

"It is clear that the public transport infrastructure and services provided to access Sydney Airport are well below international standards for major world airports," the submission said.

"The NSW Government is encouraging growth and development of the broader airport precinct, growth which will increase pressure for supporting infrastructure to be put in place. Unless this infrastructure is provided as this growth occurs, it will put additional pressures on airport development."

Forecasts predict air traffic into Sydney would double to more than 60 million passengers over the next 20 years. The airport said a "more efficient and effective bus transport system" was a priority because of the shortcomings of the private rail link.

"The Airport Link train service is unsatisfactory as a major public transport service for both travel between the airports two terminal precincts and between the CBD and the airport itself," the submission said. "For example, it is expensive for many passengers and their families, with the private operators charging $13.80 for passengers to travel to or from the CBD. By way of comparison, the fare for the longer trip from the CBD to Turrella [the next station along] is only $3."

The 10-kilometre rail link went into receivership six months after it opened in May 2000, and in March last year Westpac bought a 49 per cent share. Capital Partners has 51 per cent.

Since the buyout, patronage has been steadily climbing, bolstered mainly by interstate and overseas visitors.

"The time of operation for services does not adequately link to the times when many Sydney Airport workers need to travel to work," the paper said. "The train carriages are not well designed for passengers who, at times, have large amounts of baggage."

The chief executive officer of Airport Rail Link, John Wilson, yesterday said there was "ample capacity" and frequency of services to cater to air travellers.

He dismissed criticism of the train ticket prices, citing climbing patronage figures. He said the airport was not comparing apples with apples because the price of a ticket to CityRail stations was subsidised in a way the airport stations were not.

"Our fares are very competitive with any of the alternative means of transportation to and from the airport," he said.

"For example, they compare very favourably with the cost of car parking at the airport."

Andrew Heslop, a spokesman for the Transport Minister, John Watkins, said the airport was well served by both the train and seven "high-frequency bus routes".

"The payment of a station access fee in addition to the CityRail fare was agreed by the former Liberal government who decided the stations on this commuter line should be privately operated."