Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Commuters have voted with their sea legs during the first week of operation of the new Derwent Ferry service, which attracted about 1,870 passengers.
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.
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.
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 figures are also consistent between the morning and evening with around 180-190 passengers taking the ferry during each period each day.
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.
While there is a long way to go for the initial year-long trial, if these passenger numbers continue it would suggest that people are happy with this alternative to driving or cycling over the bridge.
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.
The new ferry is a great option for passengers coming into the city that choose to walk, cycle, or be dropped off at the pier and it is also supported by existing Metro Tasmania services.
Timetables and more information are available at: http://transport.tas.gov.au/public_transport or www.derwentferries.com.au
