Wilkie demands inquiry over Spirit of Tasmania fares

Complaints that Spirit of Tasmania ferry fares have been “jacked up” during the Bring Your Car for Free campaign have been aired in Federal Parliament.

COMPLAINTS that Spirit of Tasmania ferry fares have been “jacked up” during the Bring Your Car for Free campaign have been aired in Federal Parliament.

But the company says the claims are based on a misunderstanding of its fare structure.

Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie on Thursday demanded the Federal Government investigate the complaints after being contacted by several outraged passengers.

He alleged TT-Line was “ripping off consumers” by not passing on the Federal Government’s $6 million temporary boost to the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme, known as the Bring Your Car for Free promotion.

Mr Wilkie said one Queensland man had contacted him after being charged $50 more for his ferry passage after the promotion began.

The Spirit of Tasmania. Picture: Alan Barber

“This disgruntled passenger paid about $480 to travel on the Spirit from Melbourne to Devonport with his car on January 30, but $530 for return passage on March 19,” he said.

 “The return journey is the same passenger fare type and cabin class he booked when he came down, so he is comparing apples with apples.”

The Queensland tourist did not want to be identified but copies of his tickets show that while there was no vehicle fee for the return trip, the fare and cabin costs were significantly higher.

On his trip from Melbourne to Devonport the fare cost $180 and a cabin cost $169, but on the return trip his fare cost $300 and a cabin cost $229.

“I agree with the passenger that this appears to be a misleading campaign that is raising the cost of passage on the pretence that passengers are getting a reduced fare because their vehicle travels free. But this isn’t the case at all,” Mr Wilkie said.

A TT-Line spokesman rejected the claims.

“TT-Line has not increased its pricing structure since the introduction of the Federal Government passenger vehicle rebate,” he said.

“Just like hotels and airlines, Spirit of Tasmania operates a yield adjustment price for its fares.

“As expected, demand has been high since the fare went on sale. Prices fluctuate on each sailing depending on demand and availability and are not guaranteed until the payment is processed.

Andrew Wilkie MP. Photograph Eddie Safarik

“There is still significant availability for the passenger vehicle rebate across the next four months.

“About 80 per cent of the rebate provided to date has been taken up by people travelling to Tasmania.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack promised in Question Time to look into any evidence Mr Wilkie could provide on his allegations.

“If you have any specific allegations in relevance to this and that you would like to be investigated, I would be very happy to look at them,” the Nationals leader said. 

Mr McCormack highlighted the importance of tourists who arrived via the Spirit of Tasmania, saying they stayed longer, spent more and travelled further throughout Tasmania than others. 

“While sea arrivals only counts for 12 per cent of all visitors to Tasmania they contribute 20 per cent of all annual visitor spend,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Bring Your Car For Free promotion was designed to encourage people to travel to Tasmania after the Covid-19 hit to tourism. 

“The rebate was to apply for new bookings from March 1 to June 30 or until funding was exhausted and I am advised when they book their ticket the rebate automatically applies to the purchase price of the ticket,” Mr Morrison said.