Parramatta ferry backlash over changes
A wave of opposition is mounting against plans that would force Parramatta Rivercat passengers to change twice to reach Circular Quay as part of a network-wide overhaul.
Parramatta
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Parramatta and Rydalmere ferry passengers have hit back at network-wide changes that would extend their journey and force them to change twice to reach Circular Quay.
Transdev, the private operator of Sydney Ferries, has proposed an overhaul that is slated to start in 2021 and include F3 Rivercat services that leave from Parramatta Wharf.
Key changes include a shuttle to run between Parramatta and Rydalmere to Sydney Olympic Park every 60 minutes in peak periods.
But commuters travelling from Parramatta to Circular Quay will be forced to change at Sydney Olympic Park, wait eight minutes for a ferry to Barangaroo and then catch another vessel to Circular Quay.
In a submission to Transdev, Parramatta Labor councillor Patricia Prociv slammed the changes and is sceptical that connecting services would work.
“Experience has taught me that connecting services do not wait,’’ she said.
“I could spend 29 minutes waiting for the city-bound ferry at Olympic Park and 59 minutes waiting for the Parramatta-bound service.”
Cr Prociv believes the changes fail to address the demand for public transport across the Parramatta region, which has the highest housing approval rate in NSW.
“The State Government has insisted Parramatta have more residential and our commercial space is increasing,’’ she said.
“The main road into our city is being turned into light rail and our train station is over capacity and becoming dangerous.”
She said buses travelling down Victoria Rd had almost reached capacity and the recent closure of the Carlingford line was redirecting passengers to Parramatta station to board city-bound trains.
She said the Parramatta ferry services should be increasing.
Oatlands resident Margaret Hinchey said it would make it more difficult for her to reach Circular Quay, where she often visits.
“Once again Parramatta and western Sydney is ignored and proposals and decisions made without real consultation,” she said.
“We in the western parts of Sydney deserve as much consideration with regard to transport and travel as those in the inner west and harbour localities.’’
In its response to Mrs Hinchey’s submission, Transdev said Barangaroo played a growing role in public transport and it wanted to ease the load on Circular Quay.
“From Barangaroo, you will have easy access to trains, buses, light rail and in the future, the new metro service, not to mention other ferry services,’’ the letter said.
“Using this location also helps lessen to load on the busy Circular Quay wharves and allow for improved frequency of service for river customers during both peak and off peak periods.”
But Mrs Hinchey said the response failed to acknowledge the crux of her complaint — the difficulty to reach Circular Quay, particularly for the elderly.
Inner west residents will also miss out because reduced stops will run from Sydney Park to Barangaroo, eliminating five stops.
However, this month Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger recently said Wentworth Point residents who use the Sydney Olympic Park ferry wharf would be more likely to benefit from the changes.
“The train station at Rhodes (used by Wentworth Point commuters) is overcrowded, it’s an isolated community that needs far better transport including the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail,’’ he said.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer was disappointed Transdev failed to consult the council about the F3 changes.
Transdev said it was still gathering community feedback on the proposals.
Feedback will then be submitted to Transport for NSW for it to determine final plans.
● Submissions for the proposal close in mid-February.
Make a submission at yoursay.transdev.com.au