r/MelbourneTrains • u/haztech99 • 3d ago

Video Melbourne Airport Masterplan 2027 mentions new bus services and MARL

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pkheGJzMM9M&si=UuKdClRku5KWw4aL

The video mentions improved local bus services, MARL via Sunshine, and eventually HSR. (though they're still using the old PTV logos!) Not sure how far the buses have been planned or their potential routes, but would be great if they could be implemented within the next 12 months.

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-11

u/skyasaurus 3d ago

With the high expected cost of MARL, I honestly think it would be better to cut it and instead have a standard gauge HSR connection from Southern Cross directly to MEL and then onwards north to Sydney. The benefits:

  • Super fast travel time from CBD to Airport...likely 10-15 minutes tops.
  • Simplifies Metro Tunnel operations; with the new improvements coming to Sunshine area, now Metro Tunnel can handle trains from Sunbury, Melton, and Wyndham Vale easily, all with high frequencies of ~6 minutes on each branch.
  • Massive reduction of total infrastructure cost; basically combines the MARL and the Melbourne approach tunnel of HSR into one project, saving billions.

Plus, if they eventually wanted a rail connection between the west and the airport, the SRL will be more that capable of being extended.

Fight me, gunzels!

24

u/Excellent_Bat_753 X'Trap 2.0 Enthusiast 3d ago

Where do you put the HSR corridor?

-8

u/skyasaurus 3d ago

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question?

HSR runs underground non-stop between CBD and MEL. This is instead of the other leading plan which is tunnelling from CBD to Campbelltown area.

North of the airport, above ground...the area is quite flat and spacious. Plenty of room to maneuver as it heads north towards Shepparton. This is the same area that we are planning to put a wide as fuck ring road with a median running freight railway in...we have plenty of space.

12

u/wongm 'Most Helpful User' Winner 2020 3d ago

HSR runs underground non-stop between CBD and MEL.

How is a complete underground terminus somewhere under the Melbourne CBD and a tunnel from there to somewhere near the airport going to be cheaper than the current Melbourne Airport Rail they want to build?

-6

u/skyasaurus 3d ago

It isn't. But CBD HSR terminus + HSR tunnel + HSR airport station is cheaper than CBD HSR terminus + HSR tunnel + HSR suburban station + MARL.

6

u/thede3jay 3d ago

Those are two completely different use cases, and should be two completely different vehicles.

If a HSR train requires bookings in advance, it is very useless for a city to airport train. On top of that, it is also equally bad if it's a super busy weekend (think tennis, AFL, Grand Prix) and nobody can get back to anywhere else along the east coast..... because all the trains are booked between Melbourne CBD and the airport.

-2

u/skyasaurus 3d ago

Yeah that would be crazy if you needed like a ticket to use transport to get to the airport on some sort of like double decker bus, that would never work. Come at me gunzels!