 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.
2 Comments
13/5/2015 12:44:19 am
Good to hear Manly Fast Ferry is increasing its fleet after winning the tender. However I am disappointed that they do not offer a student concession fare. Students never travelled on Manly Fast Ferry because of this issue and enjoyed Sydney Fast ferry with its student fares and wonderful staff. SFF had a student 10 ticket card for $45, meaning $4.50 per ride. Every other transport option in Sydney caters for students, so why not on Manly Fast Ferry? Students have been offered many times the Opal card option with MFF, which brings a discounted rate, however this is still not anywhere near the great rate SFF offered. Now with only one operator, Manly Fast Ferry needs to look at this issue and give students who are hit with massive costs and debts to get their qualifications, a fair go.
Ruth Dwyer
13/5/2015 02:01:16 am
I agree with the above comments re Student Discount. My daughter has just started at UNSW this year. The return journey is taking her up to two hours as she often arrives at the Quay to find the Manly Ferry pulling out & had then used the Sydney Fast Ferry as it had student discount. The alternative is to wait another 30 minutes for the next ferry. For a student who is at Uni 5 days/ week, has a job & sporting commitments the travel time from the Northern Beaches by public transport is significant. Being able to use the Manly Fast Ferry on the return trip when you can't synchronise bus & ferry would reduce the travel time. The alternative is another car on the road. I know that Manly Fast Ferry did not include Student Discount in their tender, but please reconsider. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council posts what's making news and issues relevant to Manly on this blog. Categories
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