Airtrain (also known as the Airport railway line) is the privately owned commuter railway line that extends 13.0 km (8.1 mi) northeast from Brisbane (15.9 km (9.9 mi) from Central station by rail), the state capital of Queensland, to Brisbane Airport at both its separate International and Domestic terminals. It was opened in 2001.
The line connects seamlessly with the Queensland Rail City network and services use City network rolling stock 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 $19.80 one way and $37.60 return (as of December 2022; cheaper on-line).[2] Travel on Airtrain services between ordinary City network stations, not involving airport travel, is charged at the normal Translink rate, including concession (pensioner) rates.
In 2008, Brisbane's Airtrain ran an operating profit of $4.8 million, allowing Airtrain to pay dividends of $1.95 to its shareholders.[3]
Airtain is not subsidised by the Queensland Government, and its $220 million construction cost was entirely privately financed.[4] This makes it one of a few known profitable public transport systems.
In late 2012, UK pension fund Universities Superannuation Scheme bought Airtrain for A$110 million.[5]
In 2024, the Queensland Government announced half-price tickets to Brisbane Airport for a 6-month period after negotiating a temporary subsidy deal with Airtrain.[6]
Patronage
Initial passenger numbers on the service were well below expectations[7] and the company nearly faced voluntary administration in 2003. However, in May 2005, Airtrain operated at a profit for the first time due to significant passenger growth – 1.12 million passengers in the 2004–2005 financial year, an increase of 40% – and a complex company restructure that cut costs by nearly half.
Passenger numbers on the service have also steadily increased, now close to two million passengers each year. In 2008, 6% of visitors to the airport used an Airtrain service.[8] This figure rose to 8% in 2011.
Line guide and services
Commencing at the Domestic Terminal, all services stop at the International Terminal and then all stations though the Brisbane CBD to at least Roma Street. The typical travel time between Domestic Terminal and Brisbane City is approximately 22 minutes (to Central). This travel time results in an average train speed of 43 km/h (27 mph).
Airport line services run every fifteen minutes during the morning and afternoon weekday peak hours, and every half hour during the off-peak. Most services continue as Gold Coast line services.
Brisbane Airport Corporation has proposed a new station at its Skygate retail park at the south-western edge of the airport. Discussions have taken place with Airtrain Holdings Limited and the Queensland Government.[9]
Criticism
Brisbane Airtrain has been criticised in the media for its perceived high fares, monopoly and exclusivity rights over public transport access to Brisbane Airport, services not operating late enough into the evening, and operating significantly fewer services (632 per week) when compared against Perth's Airport train line (1019 per week).[10][11]
