(Sydney) Airport bus and train links 'dismal'

[NickN]

Unfortunately Macquarie is an investment bank and as with most investment banks their assets are run to return a profit plus pay the cost of borrowing the funds in the first place. However, I think Macquarie have gone above and beyond that.

[D Chan]

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

I agree with the prices of tickets. They could certainly lower them and get a lot more passengers using these stations. Mind you the train's quite quick to the city from the airport only 3 stops to Central - it should be faster than the cabs? If the train ticket prices are cheaper they would grab a lot more business from the cab drivers.

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

Ha... Gotta love this one take this SACL!

"The train carriages are not well designed for passengers who, at times, have large amounts of baggage."

I can't agree with this one. The trains are actually pretty good because there are often seats next to the doors and ample area for baggages. I mean... are the buses any better designed for passengers with large amounts of baggage? Really....

Also, a general observation, the trains on the green line I catch from Mascot are often quite dirty, heavily graffitied and they smell (must be the chemical they use to clean), although the trains on the red line don't seem anywhere near as bad.

[Ash W]

I was reading a travelllers mag whilst I was waiting for my flight in Moscow today. It rated Sydney's rail link as number 3 in the world, yes number 3. I nearly fell off my chair when I read that. I did when I read that number 10 is the rail link to Bangkok airport, which isn't even going to open for another 12-18 months.

Number 1 was London City airport, cannot recall what 2 was.