Questions Remain about Melbourne Airport Rail Link The proposed Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) has been met with a mixture of enthusiasm and skepticism. While the project promises to provide faster and more convenient access to the airport, there are still many unanswered questions about its feasibility and impact. Cost and Funding One of the biggest concerns is the cost of the project. The Victorian government has estimated the cost of the MARL at $15 billion, but some experts believe it could be significantly higher. The government has not yet secured funding for the project, and there is uncertainty about where the money will come from. Environmental Impact Another concern is the environmental impact of the MARL. The proposed route will cross through environmentally sensitive areas, including the Maribyrnong and Werribee Rivers. There are fears that the construction and operation of the rail line could damage these ecosystems. Ridership Projections The government’s ridership projections for the MARL have also been questioned. Some experts believe that the projected number of passengers is too optimistic. If the ridership is lower than expected, the project could be financially unsustainable. Integration with Other Transport The MARL is intended to integrate with other transport options, such as the suburban rail network and the SkyBus airport shuttle service. However, there are concerns that the integration may not be seamless, causing inconvenience for passengers. Other Alternatives Some critics argue that there are better alternatives to the MARL. These alternatives include upgrading the existing bus service to the airport or building a new high-speed rail line from the city center. Conclusion Despite the potential benefits, there are still many unanswered questions about the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. The government needs to address these concerns and provide more certainty about the cost, environmental impact, ridership projections, integration with other transport options, and alternatives to the project. Until these questions are answered, it is difficult to say whether the MARL is a viable and worthwhile investment.Melbourne Airport Rail Link Cost Remains UnknownMelbourne Airport Rail Link Cost Remains Unknown The cost of Melbourne’s airport rail link remains undetermined following a resolution to a long-standing dispute over its location. The future train station at Tullamarine will be built above ground, a compromise reached after the airport withdrew its push for an underground complex. State and federal governments have each committed $5 billion towards the project, but the total cost remains未知。据维多利亚州政府称，地上车站的建设速度会更快，成本也更低。维州州长雅辛塔·艾伦批评机场因位置争论而拖延项目。 目前，机场的第三条跑道计划正在接受联邦政府的审议。机场改变了对铁路连接的立场，希望能在2030年新跑道开放之前完工。 然而，艾伦表示，该项目已推迟四年，因此最早要到2033年才能开放。“他们坚持这一不合理的要求，我们已经耽误了四年，”她说。 机场首席执行官洛丽·阿格斯表示，维多利亚州人已经期待机场铁路线路很长时间了，机场将与维州政府合作，使之变为现实。 机场希望与维州政府重新讨论赔偿问题，以覆盖该州收购土地用于修建车站的费用，该组织从联邦政府租用土地。 车站的设计和施工顺序也存在争议。 该机场位于Hume市议会，该市议会此前曾推动建设地下车站，但市长奈姆·库尔特表示，他很高兴终于达成协议，以便可以建造车站。 “我们强烈主张开设铁路连接线，以表彰墨尔本机场是我们最大的雇主，也是澳大利亚唯一没有铁路连接线的主要机场，”他说。 目前还不清楚乘客乘坐铁路连接的费用是多少，但艾伦表示，这将类似于悉尼的票价。Melbourne Airport Rail Link Questions Linger Concerns persist over the proposed Melbourne Airport Rail Link, with experts questioning its feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Transport consultant Peter Newman doubts the project’s viability, citing the limited potential demand and the high construction costs. He suggests alternative solutions, such as improving bus services or extending the existing SkyBus network. Environmental groups also express concerns about the link’s impact on the surrounding wetlands and the endangered southern brown bandicoot. Ecologist David Frood argues that the project could fragment the bandicoot’s habitat, threatening its survival. The government maintains that the rail link is essential for meeting future transport needs and reducing congestion. However, critics point to low train patronage on the existing Airport Line, casting doubt on the need for a new line. Furthermore, questions have been raised about the project’s cost. The government has estimated a cost of $10 billion to $15 billion, but critics believe the actual cost could be much higher. The Australian Greens have proposed an alternative plan that includes a high-speed rail link between Melbourne and Sydney. They argue that this would be more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. The government has stated that it will proceed with the airport rail link project, but it faces significant challenges and ongoing scrutiny from critics. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the project remain major concerns that need to be addressed.