Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Manly Fast Ferries

posted Monday 9 February 2009

On Monday morning 9th February 2009, Action for Public Transport visited the wharves at Circular Quay and Manly to inspect preparations for the start of the new Manly Fast Ferry service the following day. The new service will be run by a private contractor, Bass & Flinders, and replaces the Sydney Ferries Corporation Jetcats which were withdrawn on 31st December 2008. As they say of batsmen who score a duck, the facilities at both ends of the route failed to trouble the scorer today. There was no evidence whatsoever at Manly, or at Number 2 or 6 wharves at Circular Quay, of a new service starting in less than twenty-four hours. No signs. No ticket box. No timetables. A SFC employee said that a man from the new company was present for an hour or so that morning handing out leaflets.

To be fair, the new service has been frequently mentioned in the Manly Daily. As late as last weekend the Bass & Flinders website just spoke of the service starting soon (http://www.bassflinders.com.au/).

However, the company web site has been re-branded and now sheds some light (http://www.manlyfastferry.com.au/). This contains information on fares, tickets and timetables.

From Manly there will be eight runs each morning between 6:15 and 9:25 and eight each afternoon between 4:40 and 7:50. From Circular Quay there will be six runs each morning between 6:40 and 9:00 and eight each afternoon between 4:15 and 7:25. There is no weekend or public holiday service.

The web site emphasises that the service is an interim one, and asks commuters for patience and understanding.

Immediately after the termination of the Jet Cat service had been announced as part of the Premier Rees' November 2008 mini-budget, APT had asked the Minister for Transport to extend the existing Jet cat service for a few weeks until the new, privately-owned service, commenced.

Our request was declined. It would have provided continuity of service for existing passengers, and a ready market for the new operator. It might also have saved the premier a lot of bad press.

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