Bruny Island ferry operator SeaLink to offer cheaper fares

THE new operator of the Bruny Island ferry service has pledged cheaper fares, a third ferry and more services to the island over the summer peak.

New Bruny Island ferry operator, SeaLink, has pledged cheaper fares, more services and a third ferry during peak Christmas and Easter periods. Picture: Supplied,

THE new operator of the Bruny Island ferry service has pledged cheaper fares, a third ferry and more services to the island over the summer peak.

SeaLink Travel Group won the recent government tender for the service and will take over next Sunday.

SeaLink CEO Jeff Ellison said the company had listened to community concerns during a series of meetings and would:

CUT fares on every fare category, every day for visitors, with variable pricing to help manage demand,

EXPAND the summer timetable with more scheduled services,

OPERATE a third vessel on the busy route during the peak Christmas and Easter periods,

SLOW the introduction of the booking system to allow time for infrastructure and scheduling changes.

The MV Moongalba arrived in Tasmania from SeaLink’s Queensland operations in early August after crossing Bass Strait and has been undergoing modifications before entering service.

Mr Ellison said the expanded timetable would offer up to 25 services a day from September 23 between 6.30am and 8pm.

“The Bruny Island Ferry Reference Committee has met five times since we were awarded the contract and SeaLink has been listening to the community through regular meetings, committee presentations and community listening posts,” he said.

“We envisage a full staff team of about 25 STAFF working from our Kettering operations.”

“SeaLink has made offers to all existing staff and will add five new staff.”

And he said the company was proceeding with plans to build two new ferries to service the route and would announce the successful tender in October.

“We will capture some of the first stages of the market research before committing to a final design. We are very aware of the need to design the new ferries with the residents top of mind and the capacity to cater for growing Bruny Island demand.”

Mr Ellison said SeaLink was working with heavy vehicle operators, regular suppliers, and freight to schedule their vehicles away from peak periods to cut queues from November 1.

The variable fare structure will be introduced on the same date.

SeaLink chief executive Jeff Ellison at Somerton Park. Picture: Dylan Coker

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff welcomed news of an expanded summer timetable.

“Importantly, this confirms there will be no reduction in carrying capacity this peak season,” he said.

“SeaLink have been doing an outstanding job in consulting widely and working with the community to transition to the new ferry service, and today’s announcement is a direct result of this ongoing consultation.

SeaLink has also confirmed no change in fares for residents, with cheaper resident fares to become available following the full implementation of the booking system in 2019. Visitor fares will change from November 1, including fares cheaper than the current system available every day for every category.

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“The Hodgman Liberal Government understands the importance of the ferry service for Bruny Island residents, businesses, and visitors, and this is a great outcome for all current and future users of the ferry service.

“Our focus has always been to provide a service that will best meet the future demands of all users and SeaLink will continue to engage with the community to ensure the new service meets the expectations of all who use it.