Plans shelved for upgrade to Parramatta River ferry service

Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson has attacked the State Government for “undervaluing” the Parramatta River ferry service after delaying an upgrade to its fleet.

The Dawn Fraser arrives at Meadowbank Wharf on the Parramatta River.

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The State Government has been accused of “undervaluing” the popular Parramatta River ferry service after delaying an upgrade to its fleet.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson said he was “very disappointed” the government had shelved plans to buy four new ferries capable of carrying 150 passengers each for the service.

“I’m just surprised that the government doesn’t think it’s worth upgrading,” he said. “This is something that would be beneficial to the whole NSW economy, not just Parramatta.

A ferry heads down the Parramatta River near Gladesville.

“Surely it’s worth promoting better for western Sydney and putting more money into it.”

Cr Wilson’s comments came after Transport for NSW revealed there was “lower-than-expected interest” to build the ferries during an expressions-of-interest period in 2017.

“The responses received did not meet our business requirements,” a TfNSW spokesman said.

The Lord Mayor said he expected more support for the Parramatta ferry service, which has had a spike in patronage over the summer holidays.

“It is a major attraction that’s nowhere near promoted well enough. The government is really undervaluing our ferry service,” Cr Wilson said.

According to TfNSW, 30 extra weekly services were put on the F3 Parramatta River route in 2017 to cater for the extra demand.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson.

The blow to the Parramatta service comes nearly six months out from the expiry of the

$871 million contract to operate Sydney’s government-owned ferries.

Transdev-owned Harbour City Ferries has run Sydney’s services since 2012 and has reportedly bid for the new contract.