Airport line | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Website | airtrain.com.au |
Operation | |
Opened | 5 May 2001 |
Technical | |
Track length | 15.9 km (9.9 mi) |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Operating speed | 0 km/h (0 mph) |
Airtrain is the privately owned commuter railway line that extends 13.0 km (8.1 mi) northeast from Brisbane (15.9 km from Central station by rail), the state capital of Queensland, to Brisbane Airport (BNE) at both its separate International and Domestic terminals. It was opened in 2001.
The line is carried on an elevated prestressed concrete viaduct for its entire 8.5 km (5.3 mi) length after leaving the Queensland Rail City network network beyond Eagle Junction railway station at Clayfield.
The Airtrain service is a private enterprise. The line is owned and operated by Airtrain Citylink Limited, with financial backing from Transfield Services, Macquarie Bank, Colonial First State and ABN AMRO. The first service ran on 5 May 2001. Airtrain Citylink has a licence from Queensland Transport under a BOOT scheme – build, own, operate and transfer – to build the rail line, to own and operate it, and hand entire infrastructure over to the Queensland Government after 35 years when the company will then cease to exist.
The line connects seamlessly with the Queensland Rail City network and services use City network in a commercial agreement with QR. While City network rolling stock is used, Airtrain does not form part of the TransLink integrated public transport scheme, and therefore fares are not subsidised by the government. As a result, travel between the airport and City network stations in the Brisbane central business district costs $17.50 one way and $33.00 return (as of January 2016; cheaper on-line). Travel on Airtrain services between ordinary City network stations, not involving airport travel, is charged at the normal TransLink rate, including concession (pensioner) rates.