Port Phillip Ferries ends Docklands to Wyndham Harbour trial, no decision on permanent ferry service

MELBOURNE’S ferry trial from the western suburbs to Docklands finishes on Friday. Could late increases in passenger numbers see it return for good or is this the end of Paul Little’s million-dollar dream?

Paul Little says a key issue for the future of his ferry was the speed limit in Docklands. Picture Rebecca Michael

TRIALS of Melbourne’s new ferry service will finish this week but Port Phillip Ferries has indicated a permanent service may be introduced later.

Owned by prominent businessman Paul Little, the company had poor patronage for the original daily commute route between Docklands and Wyndham Harbour and changed it to weekend services only.

However, it reported more success with week day and weekend services between Portarlington and Docklands.

In a statement released today, Port Phillip said the trial period will finish this Friday.

“Encouragingly patronage of the service has gained momentum over the later part of the trial

period,” it said.

“The vessel will now be lifted out of the water for planned maintenance over the next month, to

ensure we maintain the highest service and safety standards.”

Port Phillip Ferries have a free ferry day on June 10,which runs from Werribee Sth to Docklands . Pictured the Ferry arriving at Docklands Picture: Mark Wilson

Ferry operation manager Jamie Rusco said services were being “temporarily postponed” and the exact date of recommencement was yet to be determined.

“However, we have every intention of continuing the service and further announcements will be made during the maintenance period,” he said.

Mr Little, the former Essendon Football Club chairman, said in July that he had spent about $1 million on the project so far.

“By any measure you’d have to say that it’s struggling. But have we written it off at this point of time? No,” he said then.

Mr Little said a key issue was the low speed limit in the Yarra River but he had been hoping to resolve it in talks with authorities.

He also indicated then the possibility of potential services to much closer bay suburbs such as Frankston, Brighton and St Kilda.

“It would be more of a shorter haul and more equated to a bus route, I suppose, in terms of the ports of call,” he said.

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