Re: Ferry Observations 2023

[Randomness]

In that same article, "Scuttling the Collaroy would be very costly, which is the most likely option because the vessel is unlikely to sell to a private operator.”

I think Collaroy is the one with the sea stablisers. If it still has the ocean going certification, maybe it might sell to somewhere else, but i'd say it's unlikely.

[1whoknows]

Tow it out past the heads and a Collins Class can use it for target practice. Problem solved.

[Swift]

I'm surprised a bunch of neo hippies or some eccentric doesn't buy it. Australia has an endless supply of nutcases who will pour their savings to "live the dream".

[Fleet Lists]

Even though Opal is supposed to become fully available on the Manly Fast Ferry as from Sunday, there is still no new timetable which shows that Opal will be fully available, and still states that Opal can not be used although there is a reference to OpalPay.

And the trip finder also refers to OpalPay on Sunday and later, instead of the normal Opal Fares.

[lunchbox]

"Collaroy" is now tethered on the INSIDE of "Narrabeen" at Cockatoo Island (29.9.23). That would have been an interesting manouvre!

[Fleet Lists]

Even though Opal is supposed to become fully available on the Manly Fast Ferry as from Sunday, there is still no new timetable which shows that Opal will be fully available, and still states that Opal can not be used although there is a reference to OpalPay.

And the trip finder also refers to OpalPay on Sunday and later, instead of the normal Opal Fares.

The timetable still has the problems but the trip finder has been partially corrected in that it now shows the correct Opal Fares but still says "Visit Manly Fast Ferry for ticket options" which no longer applies.

[Fleet Lists]

A new MFF timetable has been uploaded which now correctly shows the Opal information and contains group code 93 which is also used by Sydney Ferries timetables while the link page to the timetable shows 04 but this does not appear to cause any problems.
https://transportnsw.info/documents/tim ... 231001.pdf
The trip finder still shows the incorrect reference to Manly Fast Ferry.

[Fleet Lists]

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8428 ... ell-ferry/
Mark Speakman defends lack of Kurnell-La Perouse ferry service in $78m project

By Murray Trembath
Updated November 19 2023 - 7:07am, first published 7:06am

State Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has defended the $78 million Kurnell and La Perouse wharves project after it was revealed there will be no regular ferry service across Botany Bay.

The Leader reported on Friday that a budget estimates hearing was told that, although the much touted restoration of a service would not be happening, cruises may take place sporadically and the costly wharves will provide "excellent fishing opportunities".

Mr Speakman, the MP for Cronulla, who was the driving force behind the project, said , The two matching wharves will be important infrastructure providing great opportunities for Indigenous enterprises, local tourism and the local community.

"They will also allow visitors to arrive by boat at Kurnell to enjoy the 67km Great Southern Walk from Kurnell to the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area (including the upgraded Cape Baily Walk and via the Bundeena ferry and the Royal National Park), started by the NSW Liberals and due for completion next year.

"The NSW Liberal Government's intention was to call for expressions of interest to operate ferry services between the two wharves."

"The selection of the national park, rather than further west in the village, as the site for the Kurnell wharf reflected the assessment that the primary demand for services would be 'for visitors to the area, and by the local community, for cultural, tourism and recreational purposes'.

"The COVID pandemic saw massive increases in the cost of projects and this one unfortunately was no exception. Construction was put out to tender to get the best value for money."

[Fleet Lists]

There is a related article
New Kurnell and La Perouse wharves will be good for fishing, but there won't be a regular ferry

By Murray Trembath
https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8425 ... e-service/
But I am locked out from that

[Swift]

What made them build them? That's plainly senseless.
Must have been an agenda. What was it this time?

Any wonder the political system attracts so much cynicism?

[Linto63]

Queenscliff has returned to service. No sign of the hourly Freshwater service being introduced yet. Status quo will probably remain with a second ferry added as and when should sunny days ever return to Sydney.

[boronia]

Probably when the "summer holiday" timetable starts mid- December.

[Swift]

Queenscliff has returned to service. No sign of the hourly Freshwater service being introduced yet. Status quo will probably remain with a second ferry added as and when should sunny days ever return to Sydney.

It was on one of the commercial station's evening news reports the other night (maybe yesterday). They mentioned the cost of the refit it or all the remaining class will recieve and it was quite considerable.

[stupid_girl]

Queenscliff has returned to service. No sign of the hourly Freshwater service being introduced yet. Status quo will probably remain with a second ferry added as and when should sunny days ever return to Sydney.

Hourly service will start from 16 Dec.

[Fleet Lists]

And the timetable now shows an FW footnote for the Freshwater services.

From Manly services are quarter hourly including 1 Freshawater and 3 Emerald services per hour.
From Circular Quay also 4 services per hour but the FW is 5 minutes after the previous Emerald service and then 25 minutes to the next Emerald service.

[Swift]

From Circular Quay also 4 services per hour but the FW is 5 minutes after the previous Emerald service and then 25 minutes to the next Emerald service.

I'm guessing that's calculated for the different carrying capacities of the vessels.

[Fleet Lists]

No that is to allow the Freshwater from Circular Quay to turn around at Many with a 10 minute break so that only wharf is used and then have a break at Circular Quay of 50 minutes while the other Freshwatwr is operating - utilizing two wharves at Circular Quay.

[tonyp]

I'm guessing that's calculated for the different carrying capacities of the vessels.

No, different speed/ journey time of the two types. There are also the Fast Ferries to fill any gaps in the timetables. Any app should tell people which ferry leaves next. A pity they're spread over two wharves. In the old days they'd have a sign there to say which ferry leaves next from which wharf.

[Fleet Lists]

Here is the official advice for the extra summer ferry services - not just for the F1 but also F2 and F3
https://transportnsw.info/news/2023/ext ... ver-summer

Extra ferry services over summer
Thursday 07 December 2023

Extra ferry services will be in place from Saturday 16 December 2023 to Sunday 28 January 2024 to accommodate the increased passenger volume over the summer holiday period.

The return of the Queenscliff ferry to the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route will provide additional capacity on the route during the busy summer months.

After an early retirement in October 2021, the Queenscliff has made a return to the Circular Quay to Manly run following months of careful restoration work.

Extra services will be added to three routes over the summer holiday period:

F1 Manly: Freshwater class vessels will run hourly, meaning an additional 10 services daily or an extra 70 services weekly.
F2 Taronga Zoo: There will be an additional 10 services each weekday or an extra 50 services each week, running to a 15-minute frequency on weekdays.
F3 Parramatta River: There will be an additional 14 services each weekday and an additional 26 services each weekend, meaning an extra 96 weekly services operating between Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay. There will also be an extension of eight trips each Sunday between Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay.

For F1 there are 6 different timetables for the summer period, 5 for the F2 and just 1 for F3. Not directly related there are 9 different timetables for the MFF.

[boronia]

I'm guessing that's calculated for the different carrying capacities of the vessels.

No, different speed/ journey time of the two types. There are also the Fast Ferries to fill any gaps in the timetables. Any app should tell people which ferry leaves next. A pity they're spread over two wharves. In the old days they'd have a sign there to say which ferry leaves next from which wharf.

There are signboards at each wharf which show when/where the next service for each destination wharf departs. (if only they they could show this sort of info at major railway stations, rather than only where the next train stops). I don't know whether the MFF has been integrated into this display.

[pgt]

There are signboards at each wharf which show when/where the next service for each destination wharf departs. (if only they they could show this sort of info at major railway stations, rather than only where the next train stops).

Given the number of stations to show especially at a station that serves multiple lines (eg. Central, Strathfield), the display would either be scrolling/changing for a while or be quite large if every station had to be shown.
(That said some stations have a sign to direct passengers to a specific platform where multiple trains go to the same destination - eg. Circular Quay and Town Hall for next train to Central).

For ferries there is not a large number of wharves/stops to show relatively speaking hence the displays at Circular Quay being able to show all wharves on the harbour/Parramatta River network.

[Linto63]

if only they they could show this sort of info at major railway stations, rather than only where the next train stops.

Most regular travellers know the destination / destinations of trains that serve the station they want to go to. If every station were listed, monster display boards like this one at Manchester Piccadilly in England would be required.

I don't know whether the MFF has been integrated into this display.

Hasn't happened.

For ferries there is not a large number of wharves/stops to show relatively speaking hence the displays at Circular Quay being able to show all wharves on the harbour/Parramatta River network.

Exactly 170 or so stations in Sydney vs 38 wharves.

[Aurora]

if only they they could show this sort of info at major railway stations, rather than only where the next train stops.

Most regular travellers know the destination / destinations of trains that serve the station they want to go to. If every station were listed, monster display boards

A number of train stations had such a board in the late 1990s.

[Randomness]

I wish I had a better source but, https://youtu.be/vmtO55FUw7Q?si=B2igBbNF1NmPTsKq

It was reported on 7 News that some frames for the RiverCat replacements have been built. Supposedly they solve problems with the River class despite looking very similar and being designed by Incat Crowther (you can see their logo in a slideshow within the video).

Haylen of course was in front of cameras talking about getting a quality Australian built product which i’d wager will mean disaster for the project.

[Swift]

This Crowther company is probably the only local company that can preduce this type of ferry.
At least we have it. How long though?
Why is Jo Haylen still the transport minister? It must be to do with some internal party machinations.
She's very smug and arrogant.