Re: Airport Line Lack of Patronage? (NSW, the only state to have one open in Australia at the moment)

["Chris Downs" <cvdowns@ozemail.com.au>]

Ansett's "Panorama" magazine (their in-flight rag) has a very small article
towards the back of their June 2000 edition.  The article is logically
placed where terminal and other information is located.  However the
magazine also has a regular section on Sydney (takes up one third of a page)
and that still only mentions the bus and the taxi.

Hazelton's April/May in-flight pamphlet makes mention of the opening of the
Airport Link.

I feel that patronage will grow steadily subject to the following:
Overseas/Interstate visitors:
* When mention of the AL in travel publications (travel guides and tourist
brochures)becomes common place;
* Word of mouth will encourage some travel;
* More prominent terminal signage;
* Terminal ads in Sydney and other capital city and NSW regional air
terminals.

For Sydneysiders:
* When the current train running hassles die down (at over 6 months now its
got to happen soon, doesn't it???);
* When headways on the line are a consistent and reliable 10 min max.
* When EVERY Illawarra train (apart from those on the local lines) stops at
Wolli Creek station offering decent South Coast to Airport travel with a
single change of train.

Why, maybe "market forces" will result in a reduction in station use fees to
try and increase patronage!

Chris




Hazelton's
Ray McDermott <raymcd@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
393A3C54.DC485094@ozemail.com.au">news:393A3C54.DC485094@ozemail.com.au...

Eric Cartman wrote:
I have a serious question for you all.
We have heard (and seen in some cases) about a lack of patronage for the
Airport line stations compared to expectations.
What do you think is causing this and what can be done to improve it?
--
Eric

The operators could ask Qantas to include the train service in their on
board information announcements and put some signs up in the baggage
collection area pointing to the railway entrance.  Existing signs show bus
and taxi only.  Ansett terminal has train signage (small).
Ray