UN 150a: Better Melbourne Airport transport (more)

Last week we saw reports that the state government was putting off the proposed Sunshine to Melbourne Airport rail link. As a result it could be 10 or more years before we see trains serving one of the few world's top-100 airports without a rail link. 

10 years is too long for us to be putting off cost-effective service initiatives while we wait for 'Big Build' to get the billions needed to do its thing. We should also be looking at small infrastructure, passenger amenity and service upgrades in the meantime. Especially the type that will have enduring benefits even after Airport Rail starts. 

I described such a service-first approach for the Sunshine - Keilor East - Melbourne Airport corridor last week. This involved a frequent long hours bus as a precursor for Airport Rail.

That would have many benefits. For example it would permit access to Melbourne Airport for no more than $9.20 from the vast western half of the state via Sunshine. And, with other measures, it would deliver large accessibility gains for Keilor East with wider benefits from Caroline Springs to Footscray. Airport workers in the Keilor East area might actually find the bus superior to the train due to it being walking distance from homes and the standard fare. The government would be silly not to do something like it. 

That looks after the Sunshine - Keilor East - Melbourne Airport corridor. But what about connectivity from other directions? More could be done there too. That's today's story. 

Here are four possibilities the government could consider to improve transport connectivity to Melbourne Airport from multiple directions:    

1. Broadmeadows - Melbourne Airport Better Transport

An integrated service-based package including the following (roughly in this order) 

a. Deep clean and then better regular cleaning and cosmetic overhaul of dingy Broadmeadows Station. Improved passenger information including 'change here for Melbourne Airport signs' on platform, wayfinding to shops and promotions for Victorian destinations permanently at station. 

b. Added 9pm - midnight Sunday evening trips between Melbourne Airport and Broadmeadows on SmartBus Route 901 (to fix current 9pm Sunday early finish). Potentially also one or two extra earlier weekend short trips from Broadmeadows to Melbourne Airport also for early workers and flyers.

c. Upgrade all day Craigieburn line train frequency to that of similarly used Frankston line to lessen waits at Broadmeadows Station for bus passengers. First priority is improving evening and Sunday morning service from every 30 - 40 minutes to every 20 minutes. Followed by 10 minute 7 day off-peak daytime frequency. Such an upgrade is already in the service plan for the Metro Tunnel Business Case so it's important that it get done.  

d. Bus network reform including swapping Route 901 and 902 at Broadmeadows so that 901 goes to Airport West and 902 to Melbourne Airport. This would provide a more direct connection across Melbourne's north to Melbourne's airport from areas as far east as Greensborough. This can be done with the same number of service kilometres as now and no stops would be missed. A later upgrade though could boost 902 weekday service from every 15 to every 10 minutes and weekends from every 30 to every 20 minutes to better harmonise with trains at connection stations including Broadmeadows, Keon Park and Greensborough.  

e. The construction of a train station at Campbellfield on the Upfield line. In conjunction with the above 901/902 swap this would connect large parts of Brunswick, Coburg and Fawkner to a direct airport service via a change at Campbellfield. There would also be connectivity benefits for non-airport trips. 

f. Major reconstruction of Broadmeadows Station and bus interchange considering its status as a 'gateway to Melbourne' and important local hub. Scope of work should include access between platforms at multiple points to widen the station's pedshed. 

2. Airport West / Melbourne Airport Better Transport

An integrated service-based package including the following:

a. Longer operating hours for Route 478/479 to provide better connections from the 59 tram and thus suburbs like Niddrie, Essendon and Moonee Ponds.

b. Higher frequency for 478/479 between Airport West and Melbourne Airport starting by upgrading hourly weekend service to every 30 minutes (or preferably better). 

c. Improved passenger information and interchange facilities that bring tram, bus and shops closer together with better walkability and shelter. 

3. Better interchanges

Comfort, information, connectivity and amenity upgrades including the following: 

a. MELBOURNE AIRPORT: Upgrade to 478/479/482/901 bus interchange at Melbourne Airport including better wayfinding, seating, multilingual passenger information, local area maps and myki machine.

b. SOUTHERN CROSS: Dark and dingy. It needs a facelift. Upgrades to Skybus and V/Line coach terminal at Southern Cross Station could include softer lighting, friendlier colours, more information on CBD area transport (including buses), better promotion of Victoria etc.   

c. BROADMEADOWS. It's a disgrace. Let's fix it! See above. 

d. AIRPORT WEST. See above.

 

4. Tullamarine Freeway bus priority lanes for Skybus services 

Reliability is especially important for airport travel. Rising freeway traffic will make SkyBus less reliable without priority. Faster travel could permit more frequent service with the same number of buses, further improving the attractiveness of the service. Not surprisingly Skybus is calling for this with a report in today's Age.

Summary

Steps 1 - 3 have enduring benefits beyond when Melbourne Airport Rail starts. There are wider network benefits too. Some (like cleaning and information) should be done immediately. It is desirable that the remainder be completed before the Commonwealth Games in 2026. 

In conjunction with the Sunshine - Keilor East - Melbourne Airport bus mentioned last week, initiatives like these could provide a cost-effective stop-gap for Melbourne Airport's public transport needs from a large area. And there's wider benefits too, connecting previously disconnected areas with good transport suitable for many diverse non-airport trips that people make every day.

Thoughts on the above are appreciated and can be left below. 

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