The on-again,off-again discussions between the state government and Airtrain to end the private company’s monopoly on public transport to Brisbane Airport is on again.
Brisbane Airport has warned congestion in and out of the airport will only get worse until Airtrain’s monopoly on public transport to the precinct is torn up.
Visitors to Brisbane can now tap on to the Airtrain with their bank cards,phones or other linked devices after south-east Queensland’s smart ticketing system was extended to the airport.
One frustrated worker told Brisbane Times some staff had already left their jobs because they could not afford recent fare increases.
Brisbane’s privately run airport rail service could soon be put in public hands,which could see an end to $20 fares to and from the CBD.
Queensland’s Labor government is coming under increased pressure to tear up its exclusivity deal with Airtrain to run public transport services to Brisbane Airport.
Pressure is mounting on the state government to buy out Airtrain’s exclusive public transport rights to Brisbane Airport ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Queensland’s most prominent public transport advocate says keeping the Gold Coast-Brisbane Airport direct link would create a dangerous rail connection.
A direct train service linking the Gold Coast with Brisbane Airport will end when Cross River Rail becomes operational in 2025,and the tourist mecca’s mayor is not happy.
A CityGlider bus service and the Brisbane Metro network could better connect the city to the airport before the 2032 Games.
The operators of the AirTrain rail link to Brisbane say only the train can beat Brisbane’s traffic congestion as Brisbane’s airport link tussle heats up and ruled out a ‘fare war’.