Permanent Geelong-Melbourne commuter ferry service could be running by early 2019

A TRIAL of free ferry trips between Melbourne and Geelong over the past week has been encouraging. But is a permanent commuter service viable? Ferry company owner Paul Little fills us in.

A PERMANENT Melbourne to Geelong commuter ferry service could be running by early next year.

Port Phillip Ferries has been encouraged by a trial of free services between the cities during the past two Tuesdays.

Company owner and former Essendon Football Club boss Paul Little said hundreds of people had taken part in the trial.

PORT PHILLIP FERRIES ENDS WYNDHAM HARBOUR TRIAL

FERRY COMPANY TO LOOK AT GEELONG AND YARRA RIVER TRIPS

PORT PHILLIP FERRIES RUNS FREE MELBOURNE-GEELONG SERVICES

Port Phillip Ferries owner Paul Little at Docklands. Picture Rebecca Michael.

“We thank both the Geelong business community and residents for wholeheartedly supporting the trial services and for embracing ferry travel as a viable alternative to travelling by car or rail,” he said.

“My vision for Port Phillip Ferries has always been about making ferry travel accessible to as many Victorians as possible. This takes us one step closer to that vision.”

The firm currently offers a twice daily leisure service between Docklands and Portarlington, and recently ran special trips between Geelong and Docklands for Cats games in Melbourne.

Geelong waterfront.

Mr Little said that a permanent Geelong-Melbourne commuter service would require another purpose-built vessel, and could be running by early next year.

“A ferry service in and out of central Geelong will not only benefit daily commuters, it will also provide a huge benefit for tourism, visiting friends and relatives, business, education and other unrealised opportunities,” he said.

Factors such as carparking and accessibility to and from Geelong’s waterfront are being looked at for the service.

[e-mail]