Skybus Super Shuttle

Not to be confused with other uses of the name "Skybus".

Volgren bodied Scania L94UB on Wurundjeri Way in November 2013
Parent Catalyst Direct Capital Management
OPTrust Private Markets Group
Founded June 1978
Headquarters Melbourne Airport
Service area Melbourne, Australia
Service type Bus operator
Destinations Melbourne Airport
Southern Cross station
Depots Melbourne Airport
Fleet 60 (May 2016)
Annual ridership 1.6 million (June 2008)
Chief executive Simon Cowen
Website www.skybus.com.au

The Skybus Shuttle operates an airport bus service between Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine and Southern Cross station in the Melbourne City Centre. Skybus carries over 2 million passengers per year and 8.3% of all Tullamarine passengers.[1]

History

Skybus commenced operations on 6 June 1978, running a shuttle service between Melbourne Airport and Melbourne City Centre. On 2 August 1982, Skybus took over the airport bus services run by the now-defunct airlines Ansett and TAA.[2][3]

Until November 2000, the Melbourne City Centre terminus was at a coach depot in Franklin Street. It would pick up passengers at the then Spencer Street station and various city hotels before continuing on to the airport. In November 2000, Skybus relocated to Spencer Street station with services operating express to the airport, cutting the journey time to 20 minutes and allowing more services to be introduced. Connecting minibuses were introduced to continue the hotel transfer/pickup service.[4]

In 2002 the Government of Victoria opted to contribute $3 million to a $10 million plan to expand and improve Skybus services, after a feasibility study into a city to airport rail link found the service would not be viable. The initiative funded the purchase of new buses, and improvements to the Tullamarine Freeway, to give Skybus vehicles priority in traffic.[5] The operation has an audited revenue share arrangement with the Victorian Government.[6]

In August 2008 the Skybus contract was renewed for five years. In 2007 Skybus' patronage grew by 17% over the previous year, to 1.6 million passengers, with estimated revenue of $24 million.[7]

Proposals to improve the bus service involving turning emergency lanes into bus lanes on the freeway and the Bolte Bridge and putting SkyBus on a myki fare, were challenged by CityLink operator Transurban, because it would limit its toll revenue, and by Melbourne Airport, because it would reduce its car parking profits.[8] Both facilities were privatised in the 1990s.

In September 2014, Skybus was purchased by a consortium that included Catalyst Direct Capital Management and OPTrust Private Markets Group.[9]

In June 2016, Skybus commenced operating to Frankston with the purchase of the Frankston & Peninsula Airport Shuttle.[10][11]

Timetable

Between 06:00 and 23:30 the service operates every 10 minutes with departures every 15 to 30 minutes at other times.[12] As stated on the Skybus website, departures every 10 minutes are a guide only and can be unreliable.[13] Skybus will not issue compensation (for example ticket refund) when the service fails to meet the 10-minute departure timetable.[14]

Fares

SkyBus is not covered under the myki ticketing system which services the rest of Melbourne's public transport network. SkyBus issues its own tickets, which can be purchased online or at a SkyBus ticket booth at the airport and Southern Cross Station. V/Line tickets, free travel passes and concessions are not accepted by SkyBus.[15] Proposals in January 2013 by the State Government to integrate Skybus ticketing with Melbourne's myki integrated public transport ticketing system were shelved after opposition from Transurban and Melbourne Airport. For a one way adult ticket it costs $18.[8]

Fleet

As at May 2016 the fleet consisted of 60 buses.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Skybus: Representing Melbourne’s travel and tourism industry into the future Victorian Competition & Efficiency Commission
  2. ↑ "Victorian Buses in the eighties" Australian Bus Panorama issue 6/2 September 1990 page 13
  3. 1 2 Skybus Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  4. ↑ New Home For Skybus At Spencer Street Station Government of Victoria 6 November 2000
  5. ↑ Better buses replace dumped rail link The Age 12 June 2002
  6. ↑ Train derailed by buck-passing and vested interests The Age 26 June 2010
  7. ↑ Brumby Government Signs New Five Year for Skybus (sic) Premier of Victoria 26 August 2008
  8. 1 2 SkyBus lane faces fight The Age 4 January 2013
  9. ↑ OPTrust, Catalyst acquire Australia’s SkyBus AltAssets 8 September 2014
  10. ↑ Skybus adds new Frankston to Melbourne Airport route ETB Travel News 7 June 2016
  11. ↑ More Airport Services Australasian Bus & Coach 7 June 2016
  12. ↑ Timetable Skybus
  13. ↑ Timetable Skybus
  14. ↑ Skybus Standard Ticketing Conditions Skybus
  15. ↑ PTV - Airport buses

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