Ferry Observations 2020

[Fleet Lists]

Welcome to 2020.

[Fleet Lists]

The first one for the year is quite an extensive one, covering proposed changes to the Sydney Ferries network for both 2020 and 2021.

See https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/

Even a new proposed F10.

[stupid_girl]

The cross harbour route shouldn't have been merged in the first place because of different demand in the east and west. I'm glad to see the split.

[Fleet Lists]

Interesting for the Manly service

F1 Manly services improvements

The frequency of services between Circular Quay and Manly will be improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 10 minutes during the day on weekends. The improved frequency, especially on weekends when demand is at its highest, will give customers more choice in when they travel.

To enable this change we will introduce three brand new Emerald Class ferries. These vessels are fully accessible with capacity for around 400 customers. The new vessels have been designed to deliver a superior customer experience and will add to the iconic Sydney Ferries fleet a new modern look.

They will also complete the trip in around 22 minutes, almost 10 minutes faster than the current Manly ferry.

No decision has been made as yet on the future of the Freshwater fleet.

I can not see how three new vessels can operate every 10 minutes when it will still take 22 minutes each way ie at least 44 minutes around so at least 5 vessels would be required. I suppose they could supplement the three new ones with two existing Emerald class vessels.

[boronia]

By the time you add in the turn-around dwells, a round trip could be closer to 60 minute cycles.

Presumably the weekend trips would include some Freshwater services?

[stupid_girl]

By the time you add in the turn-around dwells, a round trip could be closer to 60 minute cycles.

Presumably the weekend trips would include some Freshwater services?

It would be difficult to roster both types of ferries because they share the same wharves but sail at different speeds.

[boronia]

But the Emeralds would not need to use the double-deck wharves. The new t/t's suggest there would be a reduction in services going to CQ, perhaps freeing up space elsewhere?

[stupid_girl]

But the Emeralds would not need to use the double-deck wharves. The new t/t's suggest there would be a reduction in services going to CQ, perhaps freeing up space elsewhere?

If they roster both types of ferries using different wharves, then the tourists will likely be confused.

[boronia]

Using both sides of the same pontoon shouldn't confuse people. But a lot of tourists can't cope when they have only one choice.

[Newcastle Flyer]

^ At Fleet Lists, you're telling who to provide links again?

[jpp42]

The cross harbour route shouldn't have been merged in the first place because of different demand in the east and west. I'm glad to see the split.

Rose Bay demand is fairly high and I guess that's what they thought matched? And Watsons Bay on weekends. Since Watsons Bay is a tourist destination it makes some sense to combine them as tourists only have to worry about this service and Manly to cover most of where they need to go. Certainly, Watsons Bay to Darling Harbour is an important tourist route that the current arrangement serves well.

[ftr10]

Judging by the feedback so far, the biggest complaints are the forced interchange of passengers at Balmain East or Barangaroo going to McMahons Point, Milsons Point or Circular Quay from the F3 and F8 services, and quite rightly so. The walk from Barangaroo to Wynyard is a tad too far, and Balmain East will be inundated with people interchanging between ferries especially during peak hours.

[boronia]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fea ... 53rn3.html

[arrowflight]

...The walk from Barangaroo to Wynyard is a tad too far, ...

Barangaroo Wharf to Wynyard looks to be about 550 metre walk. The cynic in me thought "Aha, what about the proposed Metro station! Funnel the SLF in that direction!". The only information I seem to be able to find is 'Hickson Street, just south of Minn Street." From Google maps and a walk through there last year, probably just around - or just south of - the artificial cove at Barangaroo. If so, this would be a 700 metre walk from the wharf. Neither option is particularly suitable. Roughly one-third of each walk has no cover from the elements.

... and Balmain East will be inundated with people interchanging between ferries especially during peak hours.

Someone elsewhere noted that the "new' Balmain East Wharf is able to dock two ferries... one on each side of the pontoon. However, the pontoon itself is not particularly large. I would not like to be on the pontoon for a peak hour interchange.

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* Self Loading Freight

[marcnut1996]

There is also this url which contains some details about the network redesign. https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/

[boronia]

From MFF facebook page:

NRMA Members now save up to 25% on selected My Fast Ferry services to Manly. And, if you’re over 60, you can travel for $2.80 during off-peak and weekend services.

Simply link your Opal card via the my nrma app, then tap and save – every trip.

and
https://www.mynrma.com.au/membership/be ... Zj8se4jZDk

[Fleet Lists]

Came across a replacement route 60F3 to be operated by Hillsbus to replace the Parramatta ferry between Rydalmere and Parramatta from 7th April 2020.

Also alert:
From 7 April until September 2020, F3 Parramatta River ferries will not stop at Parramatta Wharf, while construction works for the Escarpment Boardwalk take place. Route 60F3 temporary bus services will replace ferries between Parramatta and Rydalmere.

[Fleet Lists]

New Manly Fast ferry timetable on Transport Info dated 4 April 2020. No idea what differences.

[tonyp]

Something from the past:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptghvi4FPf8

[tonyp]

... and the beginnings of revival:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBYeCMhLZz8

[tonyp]

In all of the angst about ferry privatisation in the last decade, most people seemed to overlook the fact that, apart from the vehicular ferries at Ryde, Mortlake, The Spit and Hawkesbury and Georges Rivers, Sydney's ferries were government-operated for less than 40 of their 189 years of service. This film is from the late 1960s, in the last years of the first long period of private operation, when, since 1951 almost all Sydney ferry services were operated by the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Co., a company with origins dating back to 1877 and many of whose shareholders were Manly-Warringah residents. The Port Jackson Co. also operated Pittwater and Hawkesbury ferries. A few services using smaller boats were operated by the private firms of Rosman, Nicholson and Stannards. Rosman's "Radar" can be glimpsed in this film. Some beautiful shots of "South Steyne" (both ferry and beach!) and a bonus Tin Hare at the end.

Posted in the interests of livening enforced home confinements!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6NdSp6h_sY

[moa999]

I still find it strange that ferries are the only mode where you have timetabled route services (distinguishing from premium tourist services) operating outside of the Opal system.

You've got the Manly Fast Ferry and then Captain Cook's Lane Cove and Manly-Barangaroo ferry afaik.

[Linto63]

I still find it strange that ferries are the only mode where you have timetabled route services (distinguishing from premium tourist services) operating outside of the Opal system..

These are premium services that duplicate services are part of the Opal network. Introduce Opal and the call will go out for the fares to be the same, which would mean the government would be subsidising services that currently pay their own way.

[Fleet Lists]

Opal is available on these services as OpalPay where different fares are paid.

[moa999]

These are premium services that duplicate services are part of the Opal network. Introduce Opal and the call will go out for the fares to be the same, which would mean the government would be subsidising services that currently pay their own way.

FastFerry yes.. and could have say another $1/2 surcharge.
The other two are more what I could call route services, although there are some bus routes that go close to the Lane Cove ferry stops


More amazing that CC can seemingly operate these services at a profit charging roughly the same fares as normal ferry services (admittedly focusing on peak hours only), whereas there is a massive farebox subsidy for the Sydney Ferries routes.