Manly ferry campaign: How you can help save the vessels
The Save Manly Ferries campaigners are launching two last events before the matter is debated in parliament. Here’s what you can do.
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The Save Manly Ferries group is stepping up its campaign in the run up to a debate in NSW parliament due at the end of the month.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition forcing the issue to be tabled in state parliament on March 25.
It follows last year’s announcement from the NSW Government that it plans to replace the iconic Freshwater class ferry from the Manly to city route during the week, with three smaller and faster Emerald class ferries.
Two of the four large ferries have been saved following uproar in the community and will operate on the weekends and public holidays.
But the Save Manly Ferries group spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham wants to retain all four of the large vessels and says it will be easy to convert them to electric.
This weekend supporters of the ferry will be encouraging the 1,000 people who want to keep all four ferries to have their photos taken and used in a photo montage that will spell out a message.
“It is really very clever technology,” Cr Bingham said.
“It’s another way to raise awareness of what is happening.”
She said the 1.5m by 2m board will be the first time this technology is used in Australia.
Cr Bingham is encouraging anyone to take part in this “moment in time in Manly’s history” between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, near the ferry terminal inside the wharf.
Then on March 20, Cr Bingham is encouraging people to wear blue and white and meet at Manly Cove to hear an expert talk about converting the ferries to electric and a wheelchair user about his concerns using the Emerald class ferries.
Then she wants supporters to “catch the ferry to save the ferry”.
This week a spokesman for the NRMA that runs the Manly Fast Ferry also revealed its stance on the new Emerald class ferries and what it will mean for its business.
The spokesman said the NRMA was committed to serving the community post the introduction of the more competitive Emerald class service on the route and will look to re-sign the contract in 2022.
The new faster public ferries will take around 22 minutes to complete the Manly to city journey, compared with the fast ferry which is between 18 to 20 minutes.
The spokesman said the fast ferry was the first choice for commuters and the majority of users.
He said it has consistently been the number one choice compared with the public ferries in a bi-annual TfNSW Customer Satisfaction survey.
At the moment the fast ferry also carries more than 50 per cent of the passengers overall.
Manly MP James Griffin said there will be those who are money conscious who will choose a slightly longer journey, so they can take advantage of their Opal card on the new Emerald class ferries. But he said there was plenty of room for the two services.
He supports the new Emerald class ferries and helped fight to save two of the larger vessels for weekends and public holidays.
“The forecast for people returning to public transport is strong,” he said.
“I certainly support reduced trip times with the Emerald class which will provide commuters with choice.
“Having some competitive tension between the fast ferry and Sydney Harbour ferries will encourage both to provide better services for the commuter.”
Mr Griffin said he will be speaking during the debate on the Manly ferries, but any discussion will not stop plans to introduce the Emerald class ferries.
He was unable to say when the new vessels will be introduced.
You can watch the debate on the Manly Freshwater class ferries live online on Thursday, March 25, at 4pm:
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/pages/la-webcast-page.aspx
EARLIER
Manly’s iconic ferries to be replaced next year
By Julie Cross on October 9, 2020
Three new smaller ferries will replace the iconic Manly Freshwater class ferries on the Circular Quay service from next year.
NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today confirmed that the new faster Emerald class ferries will take over the route next year, despite the community’s “love affair” with the larger vessel.
He said he has asked the department to look into the possibility of keeping one or two of the large ferries, perhaps running them at weekends, but no decision has been made on whether it is viable.
He said he has to consider the ongoing maintenance costs of the older ferries which have been in service since the 1980s.
Mr Constance said there are “finite dollars” and they need to invest them wisely.
“We’ve made some clear indications that the (Freshwater class) ferries have reached the end of their shelf life,” Mr Constance said.
“There’s obviously a challenge with the vessel because of its age, because of its access and everything else.
“I have asked the department to explore what options there are to maintain at least one or two of them … given the love of the community towards the vessel.
“But the reality is that we are providing a community service and we need to provide the best vessel possible to get people from places like Manly to the city.”
He added that the “world’s moving on” and the government’s job was to ensure people were getting the best service possible.
A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed three new Emerald Class series 2 vessels will be introduced into service on the F1 Manly route from next year, but could not confirm a start date.
“Customers want more choice on when they travel,” the spokesman said.
“These faster, more agile Emerald class vessels will allow us to deliver more frequent and faster journeys, with a ferry every 10 minutes during peak periods over summer.”
Last year, there was a community backlash when it was suggested the Freshwater class ferries named after peninsula beaches – Queenscliff, Freshwater, Collaroy and Narrabeen – could be replaced.
They are regarded as a Sydney icon and are the largest ferries on the harbour with capacity for around 1100 passengers.
In comparison the Emerald Class ferries carry around 400.
Manly MP James Griffin said the Emerald class ferry, which can complete the journey in around 22 minutes, will be better able to compete with the Fast Ferry, which takes between 18 and 20 minutes.
He said people will be able to use their Opal card on the Emerald class ferry.
“In the morning people are voting with their feet in terms of choosing the faster, more frequent service, versus the tourist element,” Mr Griffin said.
“So trying to strike that balance is critical.”
He said ideally he would like to see the Emerald class ferries servicing the commuters and the Freshwater class ferry being used at other times, or at the weekends.
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