Melbourne Aiport Train Link

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - people want to be able to get to the airport by train, like other states.

Obstacles & Why the Delay

"The airport benefits if this project doesn't go ahead. The airport makes $160 million a year in parking revenue."

Mayor Tyson believes the airport is stalling, in large part to protect its annual earnings from parking.  Melbourne Airport is a private company owned by five investment funds, and it's clear they are not interest in doing a deal.  It's time for the government to DO THEIR JOB, and deliver rail link access to the airport like every other state.  The delays our outrageous, and should result in a NO CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT to deliver a much needed link service. Enough is enough.

Melbourne's Railway Build-Projects: An Overview

Melbourne is amid a large boom in transport infrastructure, especially train and rail projects. A few of the major ones include:

• Melbourne Airport Rail (SRL Airport): This project would finally deliver a heavy-rail connection from Melbourne CBD to Tullamarine Airport, integrating with the suburban and regional network. The route would run via Sunshine, utilising new and existing track.

• Suburban Rail Loop (SRL): A massive orbital rail project designed to connect suburbs without routing everything through the CBD. It is planned to include connection to the airport as part of its western arm.

• Metro Tunnel: Construction of a new tunnel through the central city, creating more capacity and improving reliability, especially for lines from the west (Sunbury) and southeast (Cranbourne / Pakenham).

• Level Crossing Removal, Regional Rail Revival, and other enhancements to frequency, capacity, signalling and stations.

These are all important, and many are under construction or in advanced planning. But the airport rail link has been a long-promised project for decades. Despite lots of proposals and reviews, it has repeatedly faced delays.

Why the Direct Airport Train Line Deserves Priority

Below are arguments for why the Melbourne Airport Rail should arguably be considered before many of the other big projects, or at least be accelerated more aggressively.

1. Huge Unmet Demand & Connectivity Gap

   • Melbourne is one of the few major global capitals without a reliable rail connection between its international airport and the city center. That gap harms both residents and visitors.

   • As air travel continues to expand, congestion on roads (Tullamarine Freeway, SkyBus routes) will increase. A direct train line would relieve pressure.

2. Economic, Tourism, and Productivity Benefits

   • Fast, reliable airport access is often a factor in business investment decisions: time saved, less uncertainty, better impression for visitors.

   • It can support tourism by making it easier to reach hotels, city, suburbs.

   • Reduced road congestion means savings in car-parking, road maintenance, less wear & tear, fewer emissions.

3. Efficiency & "Low-Hanging Fruit"

   • Given that many other big projects (e.g. SRL, Metro Tunnel, major expansions) are extremely large, complex, expensive, and with long timelines, the airport train line may provide more immediate returns per unit of cost (depending on design).

   • Also, the business case and feasibility studies have already been done; much preparatory work is done. Infrastructure and Transport Dept.

4. Multiplier Effects & Network Integration

   • The airport rail line is not standalone; it connects into Sunshine (which is being upgraded as a super-hub), metropolitan/regional lines, and potentially becomes part of SRL's western portion.

   • By investing in it early, you unlock downstream benefits: higher usage of other lines, better patronage across the network, and more incentive to improve feeder services (bus, tram) to/from stations on the route.

5. Equity & Social Justice

   • Many people who work shifts (in aviation, hospitality, etc.) need good off-peak and night access. A proper train service could serve more people than just frequent flyers.

   • Current reliance on SkyBus + cars is expensive and less accessible to lower income households or those living outside main bus corridors.

6. Cost Escalation & Opportunity Cost

   • Delays cost money. Construction materials, labour, land acquisition all get more expensive over time. Delaying means much higher future costs.

   • More so, putting off this link means prolonged inefficiencies elsewhere: ongoing traffic congestion, higher operational cost for buses and SkyBus, more pollution, etc.

Melbourne's transport future depends on a suite of large projects. But a direct rail link to the airport is one of the most overdue, with strong case across economics, equity, environment, and efficiency. While other projects are important, many are incremental or improve what already exists. The airport link, in contrast, fills a unique gap: fast, reliable, public transport access to a major international gateway. Prioritising it now, rather than after years more delay, is likely to yield outsized returns.