New cycle pathway makes direct route from Howrah to Derwent River ferry
More cyclists can travel directly from their homes to the new Derwent River ferry service courtesy of a new shared cycle pathway in Bellerive. DETAILS >>
Hobart & South
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MORE cyclists can travel directly from their homes to the new Derwent River ferry service courtesy of the recently completed shared cycle pathway in Bellerive.
The Bellerive Beach Park shared cycle pathway, a $600,000 project by the Clarence City Council, connects shared cycle pathways on the Clarence Foreshore Trail from Bellerive Bluff to Bellerive Beach.
This has provided some missing links in both the recreational and commuting cyclist’s journeys, which would promote increased ferry patronage and general usage.
“That new foreshore link will help people living in Howrah and Bellerive to access the ferry terminal better,” Tasmania Bicycle Network public affairs manager Alison Hetherington said.
“They are not supplying extra car parking so they are encouraging people to ride their bike to the ferry.
“These kinds of separated, off-road paths are also essential in getting people of all ages and all abilities riding.”
The council works undertaken also included the realignment of footpaths, provision of irrigated and landscaped areas, park furniture, washing facilities and minor alterations to storm-water infrastructure.
The areas of new grass seedling and turf will remain fenced off for around eight weeks while the grass establishes.
“The Bellerive Beach Park area is no doubt one of the most loved sites in Clarence,” CCC alderman and chair of its’ Tracks and Trails committee Dean Ewington said.
“It is busy every day of the week, all year round, and I know these enhancements will be appreciated by the pedestrians, cyclists, families and many other visitors.”
The works have been designed in line with the CCC Bellerive Beach Park master plan and $100,000 of the funding was provided by the state government.
Commuters ‘vote with their sea legs’ for Derwent ferry
THE first week of operation for the Derwent ferry service had been a great success with more than 1800 people making the journey between Hobart and Bellerive.
The ferry’s first day was Monday and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said first week of operations was heartening.
“Commuters have voted with their sea legs during the first week of operation of the new Derwent Ferry service, which attracted about 1870 passengers,” he said.
“It shows that the enjoyable and comfortable 15-minute ride between Bellerive and Hobart is a convenient option for those coming into the city for work or study.”
The ferry operates 15 crossings on weekdays between Brook Street Pier and Bellerive Pier, with the first departure at 6.20am and the last at 6.05pm.
The vessel can carry up to 107 passengers each way with storage for 15 bicycles and
is free for those with a Metro Greencard or a bicycle.
“I am already hearing that the crew is seeing regular faces each day, which is fantastic, and that passengers are reporting that the ride is smoother than they expected and that the coffee and snacks available on board make for a great way to travel,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The crew has also told me that quite a few passengers have said they used to drive into the city for work each day, prior to the ferry’s launch.
“About 350 bike riders have made the most of the ferry option in the first week, with no issues getting bikes on board or stowing them during the crossing.”
The ferry was a 2018 election promise by the Liberals, which has been delivered in part by funding from the Hobart City deal.
The ferry is operating as a one-year trial, with an option to extend for a second year.
“Importantly, the scheduled crossings appear to be hitting the mark for people heading to work in the morning or home in the evening with the most popular runs being the 7.40am and 8.20am services into the city in the morning and the 5.10pm the most popular return journey,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Ultimately, the more people who opt for the ferry, the more cars we take off the road and the smoother the drive in will be for those who don’t have the alternative.”
Timetables and more information are available below.
Everything you need to know about the Derwent Ferry Service
Avid cyclist Adam Holmstrom was “keen as anything to ride on and ride off” the new Derwent Ferry service which launched its’ Bellerive to Hobart crossings on Monday.
Passionate about playing his part in reducing traffic congestion and co2 emissions in Hobart, the Tranmere resident is a part-cyclist, car-pooler and bus-rider in getting from A to B, and is thrilled with the new opportunities opened up by the state government-run ferry service.
Boasting eight services each morning and seven in the evening on weekdays, taking a total of 15 minutes each way, the new service is aimed at those who can cycle or walk from their homes to the ferry docks and take more cars of the increasingly busy Hobart roads.
“Sustainable transport and the experience of coming into the harbour with those gorgeous views makes it so exciting,” Mr Holmstrom said.
“I would love to take my two year old over too, I have a toddler bike carrier which I can mount on the front of the bike.”
Enjoying a scenic “joy ride” was Richard Bevan who looks out with dismay at the traffic jam on the Tasman Bridge every morning from his Montagu Bay home, as was Jan Butler who took a return trip from the city and said “I wish I could do it all the time”.
“It’s actually a wonder it hasn’t been offered before and I want to see it happen from the North through to the South of the state,” Mrs Butler said.
Thrilled with the front-door drop-off to her workplace was Lillian Stewart who is a PhD student at UTAS’ IMAS facility, located next to the city docking.
“It is very convenient for me, its free travel (for Metro Greencard holders, bike and e-scooter riders) and promotes active commuting,” she said.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said there were 220 people on board the Monday morning ferry services alone.
“Pleasingly, there were a lot of bicycles, and quite a few people told me they were happy to swap their car for their bike, walk or bus, because they didn’t have to negotiate the Tasman Bridge,” he said.
“This type of shift away from commuting in private cars is exactly what the ferry service is designed to achieve.
“I look forward to seeing how many people take up the new service throughout the week.”
The state government has committed to a one year trial service with the option of a one year extension and encourages those especially on the Eastern Shore to show their support by hopping on-board.
It is not just riders and walkers that will benefit as the ferry is working with Metro Tasmania “Turn Up and Go” bus services, with buses coming every ten minutes from Monday to Friday 7am-7pm at key routes along the Hobart pier.
“I encourage commuters to ‘catch the river’, as ultimately passenger demand will determine if the trial is a success and extended beyond the first scheduled year of operation,” Mr Ferguson said.
Everything you need to know about the Derwent Ferry Service
Hobart’s Derwent Ferry service linking Eastern Shore commuters with the Hobart CBD has started today.
Here’s everything you need to know and some of our news coverage leading into the launch of the one year trial.
Departure points
Travellers boarding at the Eastern Shore can get on board at the Bellerive Pier near the Victoria Esplanade. Those boarding In Hobart can board at the Brooke St Pier.
Timetable
How to pay
Passengers that show a Metro Greencard or travel with a bicycle or e-scooter ride for free during the trial.
Otherwise, the following fares apply for one-way travel:
- $3.50 for an adult
- $2.40 for an adult concession
- $1.80 for a child/student
Bellerive isn’t a ‘park and ride village’ for ferry
BELLERIVE does not have the capacity to be a “park and ride village” for the long-awaited Derwent River ferry trial, says Clarence mayor Doug Chipman.
Alderman Chipman said Bellerive was already congested and the trial, which begins on Monday, was aimed at encouraging those who would normally commute across the bridge to find other ways to travel.
“It was never the intention for Bellerive to become a park and ride village, or for it to become an alternative parking lot for the city of Hobart,” he said.
The new service aims at reducing congestion by providing an alternative to travelling by car or bus over the Tasman Bridge.
“There’s plenty of opportunity for people to catch the ferry without having to park there,” Ald Chipman said.
“The real purpose of trial is to explore alternative modes of transport for cyclists, pedestrians and people being dropped off.”
He said the issue of parking was something the council would monitor and rangers would be on site to assist.
Eight services will run each morning and seven in the evening on weekdays.
Ald Chipman said a lot of people had shown an interest in the trial and water taxis had previously been supported by those travelling to and from Bellerive.
The first ferry will depart at 6.20am from Bellerive Pier with five runs to the city, the last arriving at 9.15am.
Three services will be provided from the city to Bellerive Pier in the morning, the first at 7.20am.
Afternoon services will start departing from Brooke Street Pier at 3.50pm, with four runs to Bellerive, the last arriving at 6.05pm.
Ferries from Bellerive Pier in the afternoon will begin at 4.10pm, with three runs, the last at 5.30pm.
Each crossing will take approximately 15 minutes.
Each service will have the capacity to carry 107 passengers, with storage for 15 bicycles.
To encourage commuters to use the service, passengers with a Metro Greencard or those travelling with a bicycle the service will be free.
For those without it will cost $3.50 for adults, $2.40 for concession and $1.80 for children and students.
The new service will run for an initial one-year trial period with the option of a one-year extension.
The service will be operated by local ferry provider Roche Brothers, who also run the Mona ferries.
Timetables and further information is available at transport.tas.gov.au.
Council will not offer parking support for Derwent ferry
COUNCIL inspectors will be out in force next week to “mitigate impacts” should problems arise with parking on the Eastern Shore when the Derwent ferry starts operating.
The Clarence council told a Mercury subscriber it was encouraging travellers to use the ferry without needing to use their vehicles.
“We know there is a lot of interest around parking when it comes to the ferry service,” a Clarence council representative said.
“With our existing network of tracks and trails, this service will provide a vital moving link for our commuter network, encouraging active transport as an alternative to driving. We hope this service will assist to reduce traffic congestion into and out of the Hobart CBD.
“Council rangers will be patrolling the area next week to keep an eye on parking and any problems that may arise as the service gets underway. We will take steps to mitigate impacts if parking does become a problem.”
The long-awaited service between Hobart and the Eastern Shore starts on Monday.
Derwent Ferry is just days away
A ONE-YEAR trial of the long-awaited ferry service on the River Derwent, with passengers on board, will begin on Monday next week, it has been confirmed.
The service, one of the key goals in the Hobart City Deal aimed at busting traffic congestion, has been welcomed by the mayors of two greater Hobart councils.
It comes after sea trial runs occurred in recent weeks.
Clarence City Council Mayor Doug Chipman said he was looking forward to the ferry service getting under way.
“We’re excited to offer members of our community the option of an iconic commute across the beautiful river Derwent,” he said.
“With our existing network of tracks and trails, this service will provide a vital missing link for our commuter network, encouraging active transport as an alternative to driving.
“It is important to remember this is a trial and will be crucial in identifying the demand for the service so that we can plan accordingly and deliver better solutions for the long term.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the ferry offered a fast and congestion-free option to those living on the Eastern Shore to cross the river.
“Many people who work in the city live across the river and I hope they embrace this service,’’ she said.
“If it’s popular, we can advocate for more ferry services on the river right around Greater Hobart.”
The service will be operated by Roche Brothers (Navigators) and is being supported by the state government.
To encourage commuters to use the new service, there will be no charge for those who present a Metro Greencard or those who are travelling with a bicycle.
The ferry has the capacity to carry 107 passengers and store 15 bicycles per commute.
Calls to fast-track congestion-busting City Deal
PROGRESS on a key congestion-busting project under the Hobart City Deal would be delayed by months while yet another report was produced, Senator Carol Brown says.
The federal government has set aside $25m under the deal to “activate” the northern suburban transit corridor.
But two years later, and numerous meetings and reports, there was not a lot of activating going on, Senator Brown said.
Responses to questions asked in Senate Budget Estimates hearings have revealed talks on how to spend the money had been put on hold while a report was written on the condition of the old rail line and assessed for a “future, mode-neutral, transport solution”.
“Eight meetings and two and a half years on from signing the Hobart City Deal and the Morrison government still can’t decide what to do with the $25m earmarked for tackling urban congestion in Hobart,” she said.
“Now they are saying they have to wait another two months for yet another study into the northern suburbs transit corridor before even thinking about deciding what to do with the money. How on earth was this not the first thing done when this commitment was made?”
The City Deal included plans for projects including River Derwent ferries, light rail from the northern suburbs, development at Macquarie Point and the Bridgewater bridge.
Another $23m allocated under the City Deal is to be spent on the Tasman Highway Intelligent Transport Solutions project – mainly new signs and traffic cameras around greater Hobart.
“The delays in the project are due to detailed scoping and design works which resulted in a further $1.5m being committed at the 2020-21 Budget,” federal bureaucrats said in response to questions about the project.
But work is hoped to begin later this year.
Senator Brown said the money had been on the table for two years while commuters battled traffic.
“This really is classic Scott Morrison. Big on flashy announcements, pretending to get things done, but when it comes to actually delivering on his commitments he leaves us all stuck in the slow lane,” she said.
A government spokesman urged patience.
“Typically, Labor has once again shown new depths of ineptitude in failing grasping even the most basic concepts,” he said.
“In 2019, all six City Deal partners agreed to activating the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor within five to 10 years of signing the document. That puts the activation happening between 2024 and 2029.
“Given we are in 2021, the partners have three to seven years to activate the corridor.
“Surely even Labor can do such basic maths.”
Congestion-busting: ‘Give us Blackmans Bay, Gagebrook ferries’
Incat founder Robert Clifford has laid out a blueprint for two “congestion-busting” ferry services on the River Derwent, saying his company would happily build the boats and floating terminals required to make the idea work.
It comes after the state government launched a two-year trial Bellerive to Hobart ferry service, which Mr Clifford says will not “do enough” to address the city’s longstanding traffic woes.
The enigmatic Incat chairman has a vision for two electric ferries to run from Hobart to Blackmans Bay and Gagebrook, with six floating terminals installed at locations including Old Beach and Austins Ferry.
He says it will slash congestion and commuting times, as well as provide tourists with an opportunity to enjoy pleasant river views.
“If you’re coming from Gagebrook, you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time on the bus – probably up to an hour by the time it makes all its stops on the way in,” Mr Clifford said. “And a fast boat service would only be 20 minutes and would take a hell of a lot of traffic off the road.”
“(And) the Southern Outlet is quite a viable way to go (from Blackmans Bay) but I can’t imagine on a bad day how long it takes to get (to Hobart) in the traffic.”
According to Mr Clifford, Incat’s 34E electric ferry – with the capacity to carry 150 people – would be “ideal” for any operator looking to run a “Blackmans Express or Gagebrook Express” – whether it be the government or a private operator.
“I’d be prepared to build the ferries and the terminals,” he said. “Somebody’s got to fund the terminals but the boats I would expect the operator to pay the rent, if you like.”
Mr Clifford said he would be “very surprised” if the Bellerive service proved to be a success.
“The multi-service to six or seven jetties is much more attractive (for tourists) in the middle of the day and, of course, will suit the commuters, as well,” he said.
“If you don’t want to get off the boat, you want to stay on and just go around the circuit … you’ve gone around six jetties and you’ve had a really good look at Hobart.”
The Bellerive service commenced sea trials on July 19 in preparation for taking passengers in the coming weeks.
The ferry, operated by Roche Brothers, has the capacity to carry 107 passengers and 15 bicycles.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said if Mr Clifford had any proposals to make public transport more accessible and affordable for Tasmanians, the government would be “happy to hear from him”.
“We haven’t ruled out other locations (in addition to Bellerive) in the future but any future options will need landing infrastructure to be able to cater for a new service,” Mr Ferguson said.
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