Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Government will this week call for potential ferry operators to register their interest in providing a new Derwent River ferry service.
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.
We are seeking to partner with a private operator to run a one-year trial of a Derwent River ferry service between the Eastern Shore and Hobart, with the potential for a one-year extension.
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.
This next step in this exciting project will allow potential operators to register to receive the latest information and updates directly so they can be on the front-foot when the formal procurement process begins later this year.
Development of a full Request for Proposal process is underway to specify the nature of the service, the standard we expect, and to ensure the provider selected will provide the best value for taxpayer money through a robust test of the market.
Potential operators will be invited to pre-register with the Department of State Growth from this coming Friday at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/transport_services.
The full Request for Proposal is expected to be released in late-2020, and we expect the service to be operating by early next year.
The 10-year Hobart City Deal is a joint initiative of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, along with the Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough Councils to make the city an even better place to live, work and study.
