Vivid causes public transport ‘total nightmare’: Ferry demand leaves Abbotsford locals stranded

Full to the brim ferries in Sydney’s inner west have left some residents stranded, with plans disrupted as Rivercats zoom past at capacity in what some say has been an issue for years.

Saturday night plans were ripped up over the weekend for Abbotsford residents attempting to make their way to the CBD, many for the Vivid light show, as heaving Rivercat services zoomed past the inner west wharf in what residents said was a persistent issue.

Social media was abuzz with Abbotsford residents expressing their frustration as a reported seven ferries failed to stop at the wharf on Saturday night due to capacity limits after a surge in demand because of Vivid 2022.

One local reported upset scenes at the wharf as ferry after ferry failed to stop, one girl reportedly missed her own birthday party because of it, with bus services also heaving due to the extra demand.

The wharf is served by Transport for NSW’s F3 Rivercat services that connect Parramatta with the CBD.

Ferries not stopping during busy ‘event’ nights has been an issue for years, residents said.

The rivercat service connects Parramatta with the CBD, but is often heaving on event days. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“This happens a lot – the proximity to the ferry was a reason we chose to live here, but after experiencing the reality of it I won’t get a ferry if there’s somewhere I’ve got to be by a certain time,” resident Cheryl Jane said.

“We won’t use it for events like Vivid because it’s no fun standing for two hours, with a young child, watching ferry after ferry go past.

“Sometimes you can’t get on, or sometimes they have limited spots aboard.”

For those families with young children, having to run the ferry gauntlet is far from ideal, so many now bypass the ferry if they’ve got to be somewhere at a set time.

“After a few disappointing occasions where we sat for 90 minutes and watched three ferries go by, with a really unhappy three-year-old, we didn’t bother getting ferries on a Sunday anymore, so haven’t even tried it for years,” Ms Lane said.

“On one occasion I remember one woman being really stressed because she had tickets for something, and after three ferries went past she just ended up getting a taxi.

“But for people with young children, calling a last minute taxi isn’t a great option, as taxis don’t always have children’s car seats.”

Abbotsford wharf serves many families and commuters in Sydney’s inner west.

Kelly McInerney is another Abbotsford local who purposely avoids the Rivercat if she needs to be at a certain place at a certain time.

“We’ve lived here for over 11 years and it has got progressively worse during that time,” she said.

“Getting picked up from Abbotsford is just a total nightmare.”

Ms McInerney pointed out that the issue predated Covid, so believed it couldn’t be attributed to disruption caused by the pandemic.

“Covid has got nothing to do with it at all, it’s to do with how the services are run,” she said.

“There’s just not enough supply for demand.”

Passengers are often left in the dark, only realising their ferry isn’t stopping as it zooms past. The Shadow NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said residents deserved better.

Crowds have converged on the CBD and Opera House for Vivid. Picture: Damian Shaw

“The ferry network is now failing passengers right across Sydney,” Ms Haylen said.

“It’s unacceptable for passengers in Abbotsford to be waiting on a ferry wharf for seven times in one night.

“This is a symptom of the government’s failed transport policies. They have failed to buy ferries that are up to standard and are now unable to deliver ferry service when passengers need them.”

A spokeswoman for Transdev, who operates the service on behalf of Transport for NSW, said exceptional demand led to the events of Saturday night.

“Due to very high demand on the F3 Parramatta River route, some services reached capacity before Abbotsford wharf, real-time announcements were made advising customers to check their travel apps, online service alerts and visit the website,” the spokeswoman said.

“Ferries are very popular during Vivid Sydney and even though Transdev aims to maximise the use of vessels to provide as many services as possible, they reach capacity early, particularly on weekends.

“During special events, customers are strongly advised to have a backup transport option and plan ahead on the Transport for NSW website.”