Australian Competition and Consumer Commission states the bleeding obvoius
Thread Starter
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission states the bleeding obvious
This is what happens when you privatise a public asset. You get an airport which doesn't have enough gates to handle aircraft, a train service that is 4 times the cost of a normal rail ticket which then forces everyone into the overpriced car park.........but hey at least the shops are nice...
Sydney airport criticised for expensive, poor service
The Melbourne Side of it here in the age:
Melbourne Airport parking in cross-hairs
Sydney airport criticised for expensive, poor service
SYDNEY AIRPORT earns more money per passenger and provides worse service than any airport in the country, the consumer watchdog has found.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's annual airport monitoring report typically features criticism of service at Sydney. But yesterday's report was particularly harsh and went close to suggesting the airport was abusing its monopoly.
According to the commission's figures, Sydney Airport made more than $14 a passenger in the 2009-10 financial year. That was an 8 per cent increase on the previous year and comfortably the highest margin in the country.
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But the airport also recorded the worst ranking on the commission measure of service quality, which takes into account the views of passengers, airlines, and the customs and quarantine officers that work there.
The commission chairman, Graeme Samuel, said Sydney Airport stood out compared to other airports that had responded to concerns about service quality.
''The airport's monopoly position, the airlines' ongoing dissatisfaction with the service they receive, as well as increasing prices and profits over time, all point to Sydney Airport earning monopoly profits from the services it provides to airlines,'' the report said.
The heaviest criticism of Sydney Airport was for the services it provided to airlines. The availability of check-in counters was poor, particularly in peak periods. The standards of baggage facilities, parking and runway control were also poor.
''The issues that the airlines are concerned about … the broad report on those is that they are not good enough,'' Mr Samuel told the Herald.
Sydney Airport also has the most expensive short-term car parking in the country. The charge for four hours of parking - $52 - easily clears the price at Melbourne ($36), Brisbane ($22), Adelaide ($14) and Perth ($9.80).
The airport made $95 million from parking last financial year, against $27 million in costs. At $68 million, the margin Sydney Airport skims from car parking ranks second only to Melbourne.
Sydney Airport, owned by Macquarie Airports, had attempted to pre-empt the commission's findings by commissioning its own analysis questioning the methodology of the regulator.
In particular, Sydney Airport is critical of the commission for not disclosing how many airlines participated in its survey.
But Mr Samuel dismissed the concerns, saying that the commission was delivering simple price monitoring work and not conducting academic analysis.
''If I was Sydney Airport, where year after year after year … this has been going on for five years … they are being ranked the poorest in terms of quality of service, rather than ask a couple of academics what they think, frankly I'd be asking the customers,'' he said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's annual airport monitoring report typically features criticism of service at Sydney. But yesterday's report was particularly harsh and went close to suggesting the airport was abusing its monopoly.
According to the commission's figures, Sydney Airport made more than $14 a passenger in the 2009-10 financial year. That was an 8 per cent increase on the previous year and comfortably the highest margin in the country.
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But the airport also recorded the worst ranking on the commission measure of service quality, which takes into account the views of passengers, airlines, and the customs and quarantine officers that work there.
The commission chairman, Graeme Samuel, said Sydney Airport stood out compared to other airports that had responded to concerns about service quality.
''The airport's monopoly position, the airlines' ongoing dissatisfaction with the service they receive, as well as increasing prices and profits over time, all point to Sydney Airport earning monopoly profits from the services it provides to airlines,'' the report said.
The heaviest criticism of Sydney Airport was for the services it provided to airlines. The availability of check-in counters was poor, particularly in peak periods. The standards of baggage facilities, parking and runway control were also poor.
''The issues that the airlines are concerned about … the broad report on those is that they are not good enough,'' Mr Samuel told the Herald.
Sydney Airport also has the most expensive short-term car parking in the country. The charge for four hours of parking - $52 - easily clears the price at Melbourne ($36), Brisbane ($22), Adelaide ($14) and Perth ($9.80).
The airport made $95 million from parking last financial year, against $27 million in costs. At $68 million, the margin Sydney Airport skims from car parking ranks second only to Melbourne.
Sydney Airport, owned by Macquarie Airports, had attempted to pre-empt the commission's findings by commissioning its own analysis questioning the methodology of the regulator.
In particular, Sydney Airport is critical of the commission for not disclosing how many airlines participated in its survey.
But Mr Samuel dismissed the concerns, saying that the commission was delivering simple price monitoring work and not conducting academic analysis.
''If I was Sydney Airport, where year after year after year … this has been going on for five years … they are being ranked the poorest in terms of quality of service, rather than ask a couple of academics what they think, frankly I'd be asking the customers,'' he said.
Melbourne Airport parking in cross-hairs
Last edited by neville_nobody; 8th Feb 2011 at 10:45.
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With a cr@p service to boot. Anyone who has ever had to deal with one of the counter staff at SACL (who is having a bad day) would know what I am talking about.
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He sold off the silverware
As the famous sticker on many a bumper bar said "SACK HOWARD!".
Little did we know that he would be replaced with Dr dolittle and the other thing. They're all the same.
Donkey vote is the go.
Little did we know that he would be replaced with Dr dolittle and the other thing. They're all the same.
Donkey vote is the go.
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Back page of AFR Thursday 3rd Feb.
Airport chief strikes back.
ACCC comparison table shows Sydney airport carpark is most expensive at any airport in Australia ($50/4hrs, $15/1hr), however omits the 15min free pickup. Also omits that Sydney Airport staff forced to visit the ACCC headquarters must pay $21/2hrs, and $72/4hrs at the ACCC building.
Also fails to mention the NSW's Government's "bizarre transport stratergy", ie; there is only 1 Gov bus service to the Syd Airport whilst 22 to Westfield shopping ctr @ Burwood. (Forcing commuters to prop up it's loss making rail service). Syd Airport to Central $15.20. "It costs less to catch a train from Central to the Blue Mountains".
I guess we are being shafted from every angle!!
ACCC comparison table shows Sydney airport carpark is most expensive at any airport in Australia ($50/4hrs, $15/1hr), however omits the 15min free pickup. Also omits that Sydney Airport staff forced to visit the ACCC headquarters must pay $21/2hrs, and $72/4hrs at the ACCC building.
Also fails to mention the NSW's Government's "bizarre transport stratergy", ie; there is only 1 Gov bus service to the Syd Airport whilst 22 to Westfield shopping ctr @ Burwood. (Forcing commuters to prop up it's loss making rail service). Syd Airport to Central $15.20. "It costs less to catch a train from Central to the Blue Mountains".
I guess we are being shafted from every angle!!
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So the ACCC spends money on telling us what we already know, not to mention the actual service and other negatives of the airport.
ACCC - do something useful and actually do something about it. If you can't do it, don't waste time and money pointing out the obvious.
ACCC - do something useful and actually do something about it. If you can't do it, don't waste time and money pointing out the obvious.
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This is what happens when you privatise a public asset. You get an airport which doesn't have enough gates to handle aircraft, a train service that is 4 times the cost of a normal rail ticket which then forces everyone into the overpriced car park.........but hey at least the shops are nice...
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Exchange between a punter picking up a pax at Calgary International Airport and Parking Officer:
Calgary airport parking is first 45 mins free.
Punter: 'I lost me ticket, eh'
P/O: 'How long ya bin in here, eh?'
Punter: 'Aww bout 45 minutes I reckon.......eh'
It was more like an hour and a bit and the P/O knew it, but the punter had actually lost his ticket.
P/O: 'Yeah, don't worry about it, eh, have a good night'
Can you imagine that happening in Australia? If you didn't pay the minimum $100 or whatever it is they'd set the feds onto you.
Bloody amazing isn't it, the home of capitalism (the US) does not rip people off for parking at their airports. Once again Australian apathy allows these thieves to get away with it. Why?
I could sort this mess out tomorrow
Calgary airport parking is first 45 mins free.
Punter: 'I lost me ticket, eh'
P/O: 'How long ya bin in here, eh?'
Punter: 'Aww bout 45 minutes I reckon.......eh'
It was more like an hour and a bit and the P/O knew it, but the punter had actually lost his ticket.
P/O: 'Yeah, don't worry about it, eh, have a good night'
Can you imagine that happening in Australia? If you didn't pay the minimum $100 or whatever it is they'd set the feds onto you.
Bloody amazing isn't it, the home of capitalism (the US) does not rip people off for parking at their airports. Once again Australian apathy allows these thieves to get away with it. Why?
I could sort this mess out tomorrow
Thread Starter
Bloody amazing isn't it, the home of capitalism (the US) does not rip people off for parking at their airports. Once again Australian apathy allows these thieves to get away with it. Why?
The moves by the Greens to try and shutdown airports only really ends up helping Mac Bank types and encouraging people to use the most fuel inefficient form of transport the motor car.
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Let me start by saying I hate Sydney airport.
Hopeless public transport aided and abetted by a useless NSW govt propping up a failed business.
Buses removed to prop up the taxi trade and oh yes the surcharge sacl charges the taxis.A connection you may ask?
The useless place called a domestic terminal is clogged with taxis and limo drivers who have another rule book altogether when it comes to driving and parking. The airport loop is one of Sydney's worst traffic snarls with a newly added set of lights to "sort things out". The approach roads would be better suited in some sparsely populated regional town.
It is almost impossible to access by foot lest you escape the clutches of the car park money grab.
Car parking for those unfortunates who are forced to drive due to the disgustingly expensive train "service" is overcrowded and hampered by having to get there via the dreaded loop , overcrowded narrow suburban streets and Australia's longest underground car park called the M5 tunnel.What an unmitigated disaster that $#!@ fight is.
All that before you actually get into the terminal or catch a flight.
I do not know why workers need to have a Cat 2 licence to drive on the hallowed airport roadways.Surely a nsw drivers licence is enough?
Actually it is, but you need to skim the fees for computer testing and the obligatory driving test every 2 years.
Has driving improved since testing and licensing commenced? Nah but someone is cashing in!
The place is too small, poorly located, poorly serviced and very expensive .
!!
Hopeless public transport aided and abetted by a useless NSW govt propping up a failed business.
Buses removed to prop up the taxi trade and oh yes the surcharge sacl charges the taxis.A connection you may ask?
The useless place called a domestic terminal is clogged with taxis and limo drivers who have another rule book altogether when it comes to driving and parking. The airport loop is one of Sydney's worst traffic snarls with a newly added set of lights to "sort things out". The approach roads would be better suited in some sparsely populated regional town.
It is almost impossible to access by foot lest you escape the clutches of the car park money grab.
Car parking for those unfortunates who are forced to drive due to the disgustingly expensive train "service" is overcrowded and hampered by having to get there via the dreaded loop , overcrowded narrow suburban streets and Australia's longest underground car park called the M5 tunnel.What an unmitigated disaster that $#!@ fight is.
All that before you actually get into the terminal or catch a flight.
I do not know why workers need to have a Cat 2 licence to drive on the hallowed airport roadways.Surely a nsw drivers licence is enough?
Actually it is, but you need to skim the fees for computer testing and the obligatory driving test every 2 years.
Has driving improved since testing and licensing commenced? Nah but someone is cashing in!
The place is too small, poorly located, poorly serviced and very expensive .
!!
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I'd put a kiwi accent on it and it sounded quite good. The parking officer was a big maori bloke.
Seriously though this country is such a bloody rip off its not funny. You guys been to Asia lately? Walking around with the prices over there you feel like you're a millionaire tycoon.
Howard sold everything off and people thought he was great with all these "surplus'". Selling off the airports was the biggest mistake. The other thing to consider is that its the first impression overseas visitors have of our country. Its amateur and embarrassing. Where do i start..
Seriously though this country is such a bloody rip off its not funny. You guys been to Asia lately? Walking around with the prices over there you feel like you're a millionaire tycoon.
Howard sold everything off and people thought he was great with all these "surplus'". Selling off the airports was the biggest mistake. The other thing to consider is that its the first impression overseas visitors have of our country. Its amateur and embarrassing. Where do i start..
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Blame us.
Well, we voted the twerps in that gave away the Sydney and Melbourne monopoly, now how do we get some sort of resolution? Because of that it is now a state issue, not a federal one.
Easy, put the Sydney rail connection on the normal network pricing, and watch the passenger traffic increase. You can only charge high fees if you have dedicated rolling stock. Bite the bullet and show SACL you mean business.
Melbourne is a different animal, no rail link and a lot of lobby groups against one. If the new liberal government wants to win the next election now, then start the rail link, and again keep it at suburban pricing. After all this is state infrastructure, in olden days it would just be built, now there has to be a multitude of reasons.
And thats just to start.
Easy, put the Sydney rail connection on the normal network pricing, and watch the passenger traffic increase. You can only charge high fees if you have dedicated rolling stock. Bite the bullet and show SACL you mean business.
Melbourne is a different animal, no rail link and a lot of lobby groups against one. If the new liberal government wants to win the next election now, then start the rail link, and again keep it at suburban pricing. After all this is state infrastructure, in olden days it would just be built, now there has to be a multitude of reasons.
And thats just to start.
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The Vancouver sky train charges a premium to get to the airport from downtown. Instead of the nominal $2.50 fare it charges a whopping $5.50 during peak times. Off peak is still $2.50. I know - how anybody can afford that is beyond me 
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and then there is this...
Sums it up pretty well..
Let the train take the strain
Let the train take the strain
There was a time when airline travel was the most glamorous thing you could imagine.
Suave pilots strolled through spacious, calm airports surrounded by glamorous hosties. Passengers who'd put on a suit and tie for the occasion relaxed in comfort while glass clinked in their dry martinis and soft music played through the speakers. Crowds of awed natives watched as silvery jumbo jets landed for the first time in far away locations.
As anyone who's travelled by air in the last ten years knows, no trace of that lost world remains. Epic queues at check in, undignified scrambles for shoes and belts at security, cramped seats, overpriced sandwiches and endless waits at luggage carousels mean that no matter how short your flight, you'd better allow the best part of a day to get to your destination.
For trips around Australia your options are limited — our country's size means that the plane or a long road trip are the only real means of visiting most major cities. But if you're planning a holiday in Europe, the USA/Canada or even South-East Asia, why not give up the boarding pass for a while, lessen your carbon footprint and let the train take the strain?
Suave pilots strolled through spacious, calm airports surrounded by glamorous hosties. Passengers who'd put on a suit and tie for the occasion relaxed in comfort while glass clinked in their dry martinis and soft music played through the speakers. Crowds of awed natives watched as silvery jumbo jets landed for the first time in far away locations.
As anyone who's travelled by air in the last ten years knows, no trace of that lost world remains. Epic queues at check in, undignified scrambles for shoes and belts at security, cramped seats, overpriced sandwiches and endless waits at luggage carousels mean that no matter how short your flight, you'd better allow the best part of a day to get to your destination.
For trips around Australia your options are limited — our country's size means that the plane or a long road trip are the only real means of visiting most major cities. But if you're planning a holiday in Europe, the USA/Canada or even South-East Asia, why not give up the boarding pass for a while, lessen your carbon footprint and let the train take the strain?
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As far as the ridiculous overpricing of train tickets to/from Sydney airport is concerned, If you buy a ticket to the next station down the line at the normal public transport ticket prices, you can get off 'one stop early' at Sydney Domestic and you don't get charged extra. Worked for me.
I haven't worked out a solution for getting into the City from the airport at regular prices, though. You could walk to Mascot, but it's usually raining and that's a miserable walk.
I haven't worked out a solution for getting into the City from the airport at regular prices, though. You could walk to Mascot, but it's usually raining and that's a miserable walk.
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ACCC comparison table shows Sydney airport carpark is most expensive at any airport in Australia ($50/4hrs, $15/1hr), however omits the 15min free pickup. Also omits that Sydney Airport staff forced to visit the ACCC headquarters must pay $21/2hrs, and $72/4hrs at the ACCC building.
Melbourne Airport is a greater scandal. Virtually marooned, the transport options are extremely limited. No trains, precious few buses. $80 by taxi to or from the Eastern Suburbs. And not a monorail in sight.
