Port Phillip Ferries to run free commuter services between Melbourne and Geelong under two day trial

FREE ferry services between Melbourne and Geelong will be offered to test the commuter market tomorrow. But will the tests be successful to warrant a permanent service?

THE first ferry commuter service between Melbourne and Geelong will be trialled on Tuesday with free trips.

It will be a key test for Port Phillip Ferries, whose ultimate aim is to provide regular services around the bay and on the Yarra River in the CBD.

Owned by rich list businessman Paul Little, the company’s current main route is a leisure service between Docklands and Portarlington.

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Owner of Port Phillip Ferries Paul Little.

Port Phillip Ferries has been running special footy services from Geelong to Melbourne. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It has also been running special services between Geelong and Docklands for Geelong Cats games in Melbourne.

The first free commuter service is due to leave Geelong Tuesday July 24 at 6.15am and arrive at Victoria Harbour at 8am.

A second Geelong-Docklands service will leave Geelong at 3.15pm.

On the return leg, services will depart Docklands at 8.30am and 5.30pm.

A second free trial day with the same times is scheduled for July 31.

Port Phillip Ferries CEO Murray Rance said that most of the seats had been booked for Tuesday’s trial runs.

“It’s been fantastic, we are really pleased, and obviously making it free makes it easier to do it,” he said.

A Port Phillip Ferries vessel in Victoria Harbour, Docklands.

Mr Rance said that whether a permanent paid commuter service went ahead would depend on the results of surveys and general passenger feedback.

“There are lots of different deciding factors,” he said.

The company is seeking approval for faster speeds at the mouth of the Yarra to cut travel times and make the ferry more competitive with cars and train services.

Also being considered by the firm is a quick peak commuter service between Chapel St and Flinders St Station, however, Mr Rance said: “This one (Geelong-Melbourne) is our priority at the moment, it's one thing at a time.”

The Geelong-Melbourne trial is supported by the Committee for Geelong and Geelong-based organisations such as Transport Accident Commission, Novotel Geelong, Tourism Greater Geelong and Bay FM.

@JMasanauskas