Should public transport fares to the airport be subsidised?
Posted: August 10, 2010 Filed under: Airports & aviation, Public transport | Tags: Every 10 Minutes to Everywhere, Melbourne airport, Metlink, Public transport, Public Transport Users Association, rail link, Skybus, Smartbus 13 Comments
Yesterday’s discussion of an airport-CBD rail link prompts me to look further at the idea that airport users have a “right” to public transport priced at the standard Metlink tariff.
My first reaction is that the idea makes sense. After all, everywhere else in Melbourne is provided with public transport subsidised by the Government (no matter how inadequate it might be). Melbourne Airport is also one of the largest suburban activity centres in the metropolitan area, with around 12,000 workers.
If travel to and from the Airport were charged in accordance with the Metlink tariff, the fare to the CBD would be the standard Zone 1-2 fare of $5.80 one-way. But while it might be the equitable solution it doesn’t follow that it’s the sensible one, the necessary one, or the one that’s in the best interests of all Melburnians. Read the rest of this entry »
The Melbourne Urbanist 