Gold Coast ferry service: Gold Coast City Council to take ferry to tender tomorrow

Council have announced the opening of tenders for the new Gold Coast ferry service, with the first boat expected to hit the water within months. Here’s when you can expect to hop aboard.

THE Gold Coast ferry service is one step closer to launch. Tenders will open for the service tomorrow before boats hit the water before Christmas.

Mayor Tom Tate has announced the council will launch tenders nationally to seek an operator for the service, set to launch by December.

An artist’s impression of the proposed ferry stop at Evandale.

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Details of the tender will require

* At least three vessels

* A seven-day-a-week operation across the two-year trial

* A minimum of five stops as defined by council.

Cr Tate last year revived his ambition for the city to have a water-based public transport system with 14 stops along the Broadwater and Nerang River. A trial is to be conducted.

The proposal has the backing of the waterways authority and a report is being prepared for councillors, who will vote on it in March.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The system has been projected to take more than 3500 cars off the road.

The Bulletin understands several companies from NSW and Victoria have informally expressed an interest in tendering.

The council is hoping to secure cutting-edge solar catamarans that will be able to make the 16km journey in about 40 minutes at speeds of up to 12 knots.