Manly Fast Ferry, now the sole operator from Manly Wharf following their successful tender last year, is moving fast to deliver on its promise of more services.

Two additional vessels have now been added to the fleet with four additional boats expected to be in service later this year.

Incat shipyard in Hobart has been commissioned to build two 24m catamarans and two 33m catamarans to be added to the Manly Fast Ferry fleet.  The new designs will incorporate bike and surfboard racks and better wheelchair accessibility.

The number of services will increase to 538 a week, compared with 420 currently previously run by both operators. There will be 450 weekday services, up from 380, and more than double the number of weekend services, with 44 trips between Manly and the city.

Manly Fast Ferry co-director, Richard Ford said that since becoming sole operator of the fast ferry service on April 1, they have put on an extra 600 seats an hour on top of what was available perviously.

More good news for the Northern Beaches, and Manly, with Local Member and Premier, Mike Baird, announcing this month that there were plans to connect Manly with more destinations by ferry.

Routes to places like Milson’s Point, Darling Harbour and new opportunities with the development of Barangaroo are to be investigated.

Also announced in the State Budget this month was a $17 million package to construct a new ferry wharf and interchange hub at Barangaroo.

The Sydney Ferries fleet replacement program, which $1.5 million was allocated to, would bring in faster, additional vessels to reduce travel times between Manly and Circular Quay. More bus connections to ferry services are also planned as demand increases.

Treasurer Mike Baird, our local member, has come through with some solid funding for projects relevant to the Northern Beaches in the State budget released yesterday. These include:

• Planning for the new hospital at Frenchs Forest will continue with an allocation of $9.2million. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.
• An allocation of $4.2million to replace hydraulic ramps at Circular Quay and Manly Wharf.

•  $2.3million to complete ferry operations and customer information system, plus a review to coordinate bus and ferry timetables.
•  $4million for the construction of a pedestrian overbridge to improve traffic on the Spit Bridge as well as $2million for road maintenance.
•  Funding for renovations to Manly Court House.
• The Bus Rapid Transit Network has not been allocated funding however community consultation will be carried out to determine the best option for addressing the spit bottleneck.

         So, the new hospital, roads and ferries a focus this year. Is this a good outcome for Manly? What do you think?