New push for Yarra River water taxis to help reduce traffic congestion

Fast-tracking a water taxi network along the Yarra River could be key to reducing traffic congestion in Melbourne.

People enjoy the Yarra River on a warm Saturday. Picture: David Crosling

A water taxi network for the inner city has been proposed to take pressure off Melbourne’s congested roads and public transport services while providing links to key destinations.

Influential lobby group the Committee for Melbourne and boat operators say regular water taxi services could easily be provided on the city’s waterways.

While operators currently hire boats and offer shuttle services during major events, there is no proper on-demand service.

Committee for Melbourne CEO Martine Letts said: “The Yarra River provides an opportunity to take pressure off our roads by trialling water taxis linking precincts such as Docklands, Southbank, Fishermans Bend, and arts and sports destinations, such as Olympic Park.

“Make the Yarra the central feature connecting all of our city like other great cities of the world.”

Matt Gannon is the owner of Melbourne Boat Hire. Picture: David Geraghty

Ms Letts said there was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect workspaces, sporting, arts and outdoor attractions as summer approached.

“Sweep aside the crippling bureaucracy to make this happen by fast-tracking water taxi permits and activating the promenades,” she said.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said all options should be considered as people looked for more COVID-safe ways to travel.

“Water taxis are popular in cities around the world, from Bangkok to New York City and Sydney,” she said.

“There are limitations to commuter travel on the Yarra River due to tides, but it is possible we will see more water taxi services in the future.”

Matt Gannon, owner of Docklands-based company Melbourne Boat Hire, said he would be interested in adding a water taxi service to his hire business, but the Yarra’s low speed limit was a big hurdle.

“It’s a killer because often it will be quicker to take trips by car, train or tram,” he said.

Mr Gannon, who offers self-hire, private charter and dinner cruises, said a regular tourist shuttle service that ran all day could work.

Regular water taxis could help reduce city traffic. Picture: David Crosling

Marie Pain, from Melbourne Water Taxis, said her firm provided a shuttle service from Southbank for Australian Open events, but some business was lost when entrances to Rod Laver Arena were moved.

“If you want to have a water culture then that’s not the way to do it, because tourists love taking the boat,” she said.

“It would be really lovely if Melbourne could offer water as well as public transport, so that there’s not all these people crowded in trams.

“We’d love the state government to say, ‘Hey, do you want to run something and we’ll fund you?’”

PENINSULA COMMUTER FERRY COULD BE CASTING OFF BY EASTER

A commuter ferry service between Mornington and Docklands could be casting off by Easter.

Port Phillip Ferries, which currently runs services between Melbourne and Geelong, is conducting patronage surveys for the potential Mornington route.

Company owner and prominent rich lister Paul Little said vessel trials had also been done and a ferry service to the popular Peninsula town made sense.

“It overcomes the problems of that Mornington/Frankston area with public transport,” he told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“It’s very much a road transit that most people use in that area; it’s difficult to get on the train and there is nothing else.”

The trip would take 70 minutes and a return fare could cost about $33, with terminal space provided by Mornington Yacht Club.

A commuter ferry service between Mornington and Docklands could be casting off by Easter. Picture: David Crosling

“Parks Victoria, the yacht club and the local community are going to have a big say on whether or not Mornington gets up,” Mr Little said.

Following a pandemic shutdown, Port Phillip Ferries has resumed services to Geelong and Portarlington from Victoria Harbour in Docklands.

Twice-daily weekend services are running in November and from December 1 they will extend to Thursdays and ­Fridays. Daily services could resume in January depending on the coronavirus situation.

Mr Little said Port Phillip Ferries had a strong COVID-safe operation and the company was preparing a masterplan for the state government to set out its vision for a ferry network.

“We have to have commercial viability, we can’t just have popularity; it’s got to work because these ferries are quite expensive,” he said.

Mr Little said in the long-term a service between the emerging Fishermans Bend renewal precinct and Docklands was an option.

“It’s so close to Victoria Harbour … so it makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Also on the company’s radar is a previously flagged service on the Yarra River between Chapel Street and Flinders Street station.

MORE NEWS:

THE BIG WINNERS IN VICTORIA’S UPCOMING BUDGET

AUS OPEN DELAYED UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR