Airtrain cost and service top priority for new Transport Minister

Transport minister Bart Mellish has revealed he will meet with Airtrain operators amid an ongoing push to deliver affordable and efficient public transport to the airport.

Transport minister Bart Mellish has revealed he is preparing to meet with Airtrain operators amid an ongoing push to deliver more affordable and efficient public transport to the airport.

Mr Mellish, who took over the portfolio in December, said he had already met with stakeholders from the Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City Council to discuss a solution to the lacklustre public transport options at the domestic and international terminals.

The state is currently locked in a 35-year contract with foreign-owned Brisbane Airtrain that gives it exclusive public transport access to both terminals until 2036

“This is a contract that was entered into by a previous government which basically means that fares are much more than what you would pay across the rest of the rail network as everyone knows,” Mr Mellish said on Sunday.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish.

“I really want to work with our partners towards a solution to this.

“I’ve met with the airport, I’ve met with Brisbane City Council and I’ll be meeting with the Airtrain operators soon in this regard.”

Mr Mellish said an ideal outcome would allow travellers and airport workers to get to the precinct more efficiently and for less money.

He made the comments during a press conference with Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm where they announced $500 million in road safety upgrades.

Late last year, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King wrote to the state government urging it to find a solution to the long-term Airtrain contract.

On Sunday, Mr Chisholm reiterated the importance of improving public transport offerings to the airport, but stopped short of committing to help fund the solution.

“We think it’s an important issue,” he said.

“I know Minister King is aware about this and I’m sure that she’ll work constructively with the State Government.

“Obviously they’ve got the work to do initially when it comes to the contract, but it isn’t satisfactory the way that people can get to the airport at the moment and obviously I think in particular for the workers. It’s really important that they have more options that are cheaper and more affordable for them to get to their work.”

Asked whether the Federal Government would commit to helping fund a solution, Mr Chisholm said: “That would be a matter for Minister King to consider but we certainly believe that it is important that this is resolved and that there are more options available for the public to get to the airport.”