Derwent ferry service is on the way, minister tells parliament
The long-awaited Bellerive to Sullivans Cove ferry service has taken a step forward, with the state government calling for expressions of interest from private operators keen to run the service. LATEST >>
Tasmania
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PASSENGER ferries will be plying the River Derwent between Bellerive and Hobart’s Sullivan Cove next year, Transport Minister Michael Ferguson says.
The state government has launched a call for expressions of interest from private operators keen to run the service for a trial period of one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
“This is an important step in our commitment to deliver congestion-busting initiatives under the Hobart Transport Vision, which is being delivered through the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The new Derwent River ferry service will provide a fast, convenient and comfortable travel option while helping to reduce congestion on our roads. It will operate between Bellerive and Hobart City during weekday peak periods.”
Mr Ferguson said he expected the service — which was a Liberal Party election commitment — to be operating by early-next year.
But it is unclear whether there is infrastructure in place for the ferries on the Eastern Shore, how much the government will contribute, how much a trip will cost.
And Mr Ferguson said the ticketing system will not initially be compatible with that of public transport operator Metro.
RACT Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni welcomed the news and urged people to use the service.
“There is clearly demand for a ferry service,” he said.
A survey conducted by the RACT in 2018 showed that 63 per cent of respondents living an accessible distance from a proposed ferry route between Bellerive and Hobart said that they would use the service.
“Ferries operate successfully in other cities with similar topographies and population sizes and we’re confident that if the Government gets the planning right a ferry service would really benefit the community. The challenge is to ensure that any ferry service is well integrated into the overall public transport network in Hobart and that there is adequate supporting infrastructure, like parking facilities on the eastern shore.
“We welcome the Government’s announcement today, we’re confident there will be a strong response and we look forward to working with everyone involved to ensure a ferry service has the best possible chance of success.”
Incat founder Robert Clifford operated a ferry service in the wake of the Tasman Bridge collapse — and developed a proposal for a ferry network.
He said the new service would need to be supported by the government and to be integrated with Metro bus services.
“Back in ‘72 we were reliant on tourists to prop up the service in the middle of the day and we were relying on the night trade of charters and all of that to subsidise the ferry service.
“We got no help from the government but we got the tourists which made it viable.
“Our middle of the day services made all the money.
“It will be necessary for the government to support it: one by subsidising it and by making sure Metro is delivering the passengers.”
Labor’s David O’Byrne said the ferries were a long time coming.
“We’re now two and a half years into this government, this was an election policy in 2018.
“All they’re doing is launching an expression of interest process.
“If they’re serious about this service, if they’re serious about resolving some of the traffic issues, why wait Two-and-a-half years for something you could have done in the first week of the government back in 2018?
“We’ll celebrate when Tasmanians can see ferries on the river.”
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