What you need to know about the new Derwent Ferry fares

There are calls to keep the Derwent Ferry free as cost of living pressures bear down on Tasmanians. FULL CHANGES >>

The Derwent ferry service should remain free for passengers, the Greens say.

Given the soaring cost of living, keeping a lid on the cost of transport would help household budgets, party leader Cassy O’Connor said on Tuesday.

‘The reintroduction of a public ferry on the Derwent has been warmly welcomed by locals. It’s been fantastic to see such a positive community response to this service.

“It’s disappointing, however, that rather than embracing the current model’s success, Minister Ferguson wants to begin charging all ferry users.

“With soaring cost of living, governments at all levels need to be doing what everything they can to support the community and stimulate local economy by making it easier for people to get around.

“This was the rationale for the government to give Tasmanians free bus travel for a month in March.”

She said the cost of subsidising ferry travel was minuscule compared to the state’s bloated roads budget.

“It is all about government priorities. In a cost of living crisis, a responsible government should be putting people before bitumen.”

EXPLAINED: Major changes coming for Derwent Ferry fares - July 4

Tasmanians will soon need to pay for the hugely-popular Derwent Ferry service as State Growth urges commuters to get their Greencards ready.

Fares will start Monday August 8 and will mean a crossing will cost $3.50 for a full adult fare (or $2.80 with a Greencard) and concession fares will be $2.40 ($1.92 with a Greencard)

Child and student fares will be $1.90 or $1.52 with a Green card.

The service is nearing the end of its first trial year and has so far seen more than 110,000 passenger crossings.

It has been free since its first sailing on August 9, 2021 for passengers with a Greencard, bicycle or e-scooter, but the Department of State Growth said it was time to implement fares to assess its viability.

“We now need to assess the service as a real public transport option in the longer-term,” a statement from the department said.

A Derwent Ferry arrives at Bellerive. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Continued uptake of the service also will play a significant role in determining the viability of expanding ferries to more destinations and at more times, which is currently being examined.

“The vast majority of passengers have told us that they are willing to pay a fare equivalent to those charged for catching the bus, so this is the fare option we have chosen.

Green card scanners will be on board from Monday, July 18, and while passengers will be asked to scan their card during this testing period, they won’t be charged.

Those without a Greencard will be able to pay for their fare with cash or card and the department said fares will be charged equivalent to the Metro single zone bus rate.

Using a Greencard on the Derwent Ferry service also means the standard 90-minute transfer period applies, the same as on Metro buses, meaning passengers can transfer to or from a bus as part of the single journey to further minimise travel costs.

Elicia Casey-Winter from Mornington boards the ferry with her bike to return home after working in Hobart. Picture: Ed Bourke

Elicia Casey-Winter, a gardener from Mornington, said the ferry had been a significant positive for traffic conditions around the city but thought the fare would make her more inclined to ride her bike over the Tasman Bridge instead.

“It seemed a bit scary (cycling over the bridge) but I missed the ferry this morning and had to do it, and it was okay,” Ms Casey-Winter said.

“I’m probably more likely to do that again rather than pay for the ferry every day.”

Ms Casey-Winter said she was glad the ferry service was continuing following its trial.

“I don’t usually travel at peak times, but it definitely seems to have had an influence on traffic … it’s been great,” she said.

“It’s nice that people have the extra option for coming in to work.”

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Originally published as What you need to know about the new Derwent Ferry fares