Public push to save Manly ferries after its revealed they could be phased out

An overwhelming amount of people surveyed in an online poll have called for the iconic Manly ferries to be retained after it is revealed they could be phased out by next year.

Crowds of people line up to catch the Manly Ferry at Circular Quay. Picture: Toby Zerna

• MP vows to fight to save Manly ferries
• Hefty fine for Manly Wharf daredevil divers

Almost 90 per cent of people surveyed in a Manly Daily poll have called for the iconic Freshwater Class ferries to be retained.

The Manly Daily first reported that the larger vessels could be phased out in favour of smaller ferries, which was met by a wave of community momentum to have them retained.

An example of one of the smaller but faster Emerald Class ferries (pictured is May Gibbs). Picture: Facebook @Ferries of Sydney page.

As the Manly Daily went to press on Tuesday afternoon, an online poll conducted on its website showed a whopping 86 per cent of people didn’t agree that the Freshwater Class of ferries should be removed from operation.

Transport for NSW authorities said Emerald Class ferries — which are substantially smaller that the current Freshwater fleet — could be operating the Manly route by 2020.

One of the iconic Manly ferries. Picture: Bradley Hunter

Despite ferry staff being told last month that the world-famous Manly ferries were set to be “phased out” during the life of the current nine-year Harbour City Ferries contract, Transport for NSW said no decision has been made on the future of the vessels.

While 14 per cent of poll voters feel the world-renowned ferries should be phased out, the lopsided results will likely give Transport Minister Andrew Constance something to think about when decision time arrives.

Manly MP James Griffin is among those who has vowed he would fight to retain the vessels, in at least some capacity.

“It’s iconic, does heavy lifting during the summer months and is one of the reasons why tourists and day trippers enjoy coming to Manly,” he said.

Warringah federal candidate Zali Steggall also threw her support behind the current Manly ferries. Going forward, Warringah MP Tony Abbott supported the ferries being used on “special occasions” but not on a full-time basis.