Two of the countries biggest ferry companies is excited to be apart of the Gold Coast’s bold water transport network

THE announcement that the Gold Coast was keen to begin ferry trials has led to two of Australia’s largest ferry companies throwing their support behind the bold plans.

TWO of the biggest transport operators are not kidding around with the Gold Coast City Council’s bold ferry plan.

Transdev yesterday contacted the council about the proposed two-year ferry trial.

While SeaLink chief operating officer Anthony Hayes said the company was excited about the prospect.

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SeaLink COO Anthony Hayes with Master Tim Fayle. Mr Hayes is excited about finding out about Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s plans to have a ferry system on the Gold Coast. Picture by Mark Scott

Mayor Tom Tate announced in the Bulletin yesterday the council along with assistance from the state government would trial using ferries on Gold Coast waterways.

He said the green-lit plan would include 12 stops along a 13km service from Labrador to Surfers Paradise.

Mr Hayes said he read about the story and SeaLink was excited about the opportunity to provide that service.

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Transdev operates Brisbane CityCats and Harbour City Ferry in Sydney. Pic Marc Robertson

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His company has 77 vessels and provides the ferry services for Stradbroke Island, Magnetic Island, Gladstone, Fraser Island and other locations outside of Queensland.

“We would certainly be very open-minded and want to understand what the mayor is looking for and what the council is hoping to achieve,” he said.

“I think we are looking forward to seeing some paper work to know what they want to deliver.”

Transdev which operates Brisbane CityCat and Sydney’s Harbour City Ferries, is also interested.

“We commend the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government on the positive momentum to make ferries on the Gold Coast a reality,” Chief officer train and ferry operations Martin Kearney said.

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“Transdev would welcome the opportunity to show how our local and international experience can deliver an affordable world class ferry service, that gets Gold Coasters off the road and out on the water.

“Ferries are not only clean and green, they offer a tremendous customer experience and are a widely popular form of public transport with locals and tourists,

“Jumping aboard the Transdev operated City Hopper or CityCat ferry services are the second and third most popular things to do in Brisbane according to the online travel site TripAdvisor. Similarly, catching the Transdev operated Manly ferry is ranked number 5 in Sydney,”