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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay and Josh Nicholas

Soaring air fares between Melbourne and Sydney see travellers take 11-hour train

Melbourne Sydney Qantas Virgin Bridget McKenzie Rex Economy ACCC Guardian Australia Jetstar
XPT train at Central Station in Sydney
The popularity of the XPT train between Melbourne and Sydney has seen Transport for NSW routinely add a sixth carriage to the service, bringing capacity up from 215 to 285. Photograph: Stephen Dwyer/Alamy

The 11-hour Sydney-Melbourne train has become so popular services are selling out – even with extra carriages added – as travellers seek alternatives to an aviation duopoly that is stronger than ever, with carriers charging $900 for one-way economy tickets.

Ridership on the Sydney-Melbourne rail corridor has exploded in recent months, with 203,000 passenger journeys between July and December. Data for the 2023-24 financial year revealed 393,000 passenger journeys, a 14% increase on the previous year and just 7,000 shy of the annual record.

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