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SkyBus (airport bus)

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SkyBus
Bustech CDi in September 2023
ParentKinetic Group
(majority owned by OPTrust)
FoundedJune 1978 (1978-06)
HeadquartersMelbourne Airport
Service areaHobart
Melbourne
Service typeAirport bus
HubsAvalon Airport
Hobart Airport
Melbourne Airport
Fleet104 (June 2022)
Chief executiveMichael Sewards
Websitewww.skybus.com.au
www.skybus.co.nz
SkyBus Terminal near Southern Cross station

SkyBus is an airport bus service operating in Australia in Melbourne and Hobart.

In Melbourne, SkyBus carries over 2 million passengers per year and 8.3% of all Melbourne Airport passengers.[1]

History

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SkyBus commenced operations on 6 June 1978, running a shuttle service between Melbourne Airport and the 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]

A red Skybus bus on the Tullamarine Freeway

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] The consortium would later be known as AATS Group (known as Kinetic Group since August 2019).[10] In 2015, SkyBus purchased the Auckland Airport service in New Zealand from Johnston's Coachlines.[11] In June 2016, SkyBus commenced operating to Frankston with the purchase of the Frankston & Peninsula Airport Shuttle.[12][13]

In February 2017, SkyBus took over the route between Southern Cross station and Avalon Airport previously run by Sita Buslines.[14][15] In July 2017, it began operating the Geelong to Avalon Airport service after the previous owners, Murrel Group, lost their accreditation to enter the airport.[16] In November 2017, SkyBus Gold Coast operations commenced in Gold Coast, Queensland with the purchase of the Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle (GCTS) business from Surfside Buslines.[17][18]

Current services

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Avalon Airport

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Avalon City Express

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The Avalon City Express service operates between Avalon Airport and Southern Cross railway station via the Princes Freeway and West Gate Freeway, making a stop in Werribee. The service operates to a timetable that is adjusted monthly, with one service connecting to every flight departing and arriving at Avalon Airport.

Hobart Airport

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Hobart Express

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In July 2018, SkyBus started services between Hobart CBD and Hobart Airport.[19]

Melbourne Airport

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Melbourne City Express

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Volgren bodied Scania L94UB on Wurundjeri Way in November 2013

SkyBus's flagship service operates between Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine and Southern Cross railway station on the western edge of the Melbourne city centre, via the Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink, with no intermediate stops. At Melbourne Airport, SkyBus stops for pick up and drop off at Terminals 1 and 3, and also picks up at Terminal 4. Terminals 2 and 4 are within walking distance from the Terminal 3 stop.

The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to a 10-minute frequency between 6:00 am and 12:00 am (midnight), subject to traffic conditions. The service operates to a 30-minute frequency between 1:00 am and 4:30 am, and 15 to 30 minutes at all other times.[20]

SkyBus is not covered under the Myki ticketing system which services the rest of Melbourne. However, SkyBus allows the use of the access travel pass on all SkyBus services in Victoria only.[21] Proposals in January 2013 by the Victorian Government to integrate SkyBus ticketing with the Myki system were shelved after opposition from Transurban and Melbourne Airport.[8]

Peninsula Express

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The Frankston shuttle operates between Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport and Frankston railway station, making intermediate stops in St Kilda, Elsternwick, Elwood, Brighton, Moorabbin, Highett, Cheltenham, Parkdale and Chelsea. A limited number of services extend to Mount Eliza and Mornington, while one weekday-only service continues further to Dromana and Rosebud.

Discontinued services

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A SkyBus bus at its North Harbour terminus at the Westfield Albany mall

Australia

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Avalon Airport

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The Avalon Geelong Express service operated between Avalon Airport and South Geelong railway station, with an intermediate stop at Geelong railway station. The service began in July 2017. The service operated to a timetable that was adjusted monthly, with one service connecting to every flight departing and arriving at Avalon Airport. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed as of February 2024.

Gold Coast Airport

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In December 2017, SkyBus launched airport shuttle services to the Gold Coast Airport from various hotels.[22] From 16 September 2018, the Byron Bay Express commenced running services from Gold Coast Airport to Byron Bay.[23] The services were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed as of February 2024.

Melbourne Airport

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Eastern Express
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The Eastern Express operated between Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport and Croydon railway station, making intermediate stops at Watsonia railway station, Doncaster Shopping Centre, Box Hill Central, Blackburn railway station and Ringwood railway station. Outbound passengers can also be picked up at Terminal 1. The service operated daily, including all public holidays, between 4:30 am and 7:15 pm daily. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed as of February 2024.

Southbank Docklands Express
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The Southbank Docklands Express operated between Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport and four designated stops in Southbank, with an intermediate stop in Docklands. The service began in November 2017, operating to similar frequencies and hours as the St Kilda Express. Fares were identical to that of the Melbourne City Express service. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed as of February 2024.

St Kilda Express
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A SkyBus bus in St Kilda during 2016

The St Kilda Express service operated between Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport and four designated stops in St Kilda, picking up and setting down passengers at these stops. Outbound passengers could also be picked up at Terminal 1. The service operated daily, including all public holidays, to a 30-minute frequency on weekdays and hourly on weekends. Operating hours are approximately between 6:30 am and 7:00 pm daily. Services were suspended in 2021, with the route later being subsumed into the Peninsula Express.[24]

Western Express
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The Western Express operated between Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport and Werribee, with an intermediate stop at Tarneit railway station. Outbound passengers could also be picked up at Terminal 1. The service operated daily, including all public holidays, between 5:05 am and 8:35 pm daily. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed as of February 2024.

New Zealand

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Auckland Airport

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SkyBus operated services to Auckland Airport. Services were indefinitely suspended in 2021.[25][26]

The Auckland City Express operated between the airport and the SkyBus Lounge in the Auckland CBD, running via the Southwestern Motorway, either Dominion Road or Mount Eden Road, and Queen Street.[27]

The North Harbour Express service operated between the airport and Albany (referred to by SkyBus as Albany Westfield because of the nearby Westfield Albany shopping mall). Services ran along the Northern Busway on the North Shore section of the route, stopping at Smales Farm and Akoranga stations.[28]

Fleet

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As at September 2023, the combined fleets consisted of 68 vehicles.[3][29]

References

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  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. ^ a b Skybus Archived 22 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  4. ^ "New Home For Skybus At Spencer Street Station". Government of Victoria. 6 November 2000. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  5. ^ Better buses replace dumped rail link Archived 25 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Age 12 June 2002
  6. ^ Train derailed by buck-passing and vested interests Archived 13 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Age 26 June 2010
  7. ^ Brumby Government Signs New Five Year for Skybus (sic) Archived 16 June 2013 at archive.today Premier of Victoria 26 August 2008
  8. ^ a b Carey, Adam (4 January 2013). "SkyBus lane faces fight". Traveller (The Age). Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  9. ^ OPTrust, Catalyst acquire Australia’s SkyBus Archived 28 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine AltAssets 8 September 2014
  10. ^ "About Skybus". Skybus. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  11. ^ Faster airport bus trips on cards Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine The New Zealand Herald 31 October 2015
  12. ^ Skybus adds new Frankston to Melbourne Airport route Archived 4 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine ETB Travel News 7 June 2016
  13. ^ More Airport Services Archived 3 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach 7 June 2016
  14. ^ Skybus arrives at Avalon Airport Archived 20 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Government of Victoria 16 December 2016
  15. ^ Skybus adds Southbank service Archived 22 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach 1 November 2017
  16. ^ Geelong-Avalon Airport shuttle bus service replaced by SkyBus Archived 12 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Geelong Advertiser 9 July 2017
  17. ^ "Skybus acquire GC airport service". Australasian Bus & Coach. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  18. ^ "SkyBus launches new Gold Coast Airport Shuttle". Skybus. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  19. ^ SkyBus soars into Hobart Archived 22 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine SkyBus Airport Express 20 June 2018
  20. ^ "Melbourne City Express timetable". SkyBus. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  21. ^ "Airport buses". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  22. ^ Skybus launches Gold Coast Airport transfer services Archived 26 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Economy Traveller
  23. ^ SkyBus to launch Byron Bay airport transfer service Archived 26 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Skybus Airport Express 23 August 2018.
  24. ^ "SkyBus - Service Update". www.skybus.com.au. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  25. ^ "End of the road: Lockdown means SkyBus to Auckland Airport parked for good". NZ Herald. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  26. ^ SkyBus. "Service Update". SkyBus NZ. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Public transport - Auckland Airport". Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  28. ^ "New Skybus North Harbour Airport Service Ready to Go". Scoop Independent News. 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  29. ^ Skybus Auckland Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Australian Bus Fleet Lists
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Media related to Skybus Super Shuttle at Wikimedia Commons

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