Post by ferryfast admin on Nov 3, 2007 15:17:40 GMT -5
Fury over ferry scrapping
By Heath Aston
www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22688735-5006009,00.html
November 02, 2007 12:00am
THE Parramatta RiverCat service will be axed while the North Shore fleet will be enhanced, under a radical plan to transform our ailing ferry service.
The independent inquiry into Sydney Ferries headed by barrister Bret Walker SC has recommended junking the ageing ferry fleet, including the Freshwater class Manly ferries, and starting again.
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Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Barber said he was "angered and appalled" at the scrapping of the RiverCat service.
"This goes against the push to make Parramatta a destination.
"I hope a private operator with a bit of business acumen will take the plunge and expand the service despite what this inquiry might suggest," Mr Barber said.
As well as axing the Parramatta RiverCat, JetCat services to Manly would be canned in favour of a modern fleet made up of specially designed inner harbour and Manly class vessels.
Currently the 31-ferry fleet is made up of seven different classes of vessel, some up to 33 years old.
Mr Walker said the overhaul would not only increase patronage and commuter satisfaction but also "enhance the somewhat fragile morale of Sydney Ferries' skilled workforce afloat and at the Balmain shipyard".
"The replacement of the fleet should be commissioned as soon as practicable, with a sense of urgency," he said.
Premier Morris Iemma gave his backing yesterday, asking ferry management to advance plans for the fleet replacement.
The envisaged Manly service would be quicker than the current ferry, with a seating capacity of 800.
The Parramatta RiverCat would be scrapped, with services to be terminated at Rydalmere.
As expected, the report has laid the groundwork for the Government to hand the running of ferries to the private sector.
Lining up to take over at a price to the taxpayer are foreign-owned transport giants Veolia, Transdev-TSL and Reg Kermode's Cabcharge-ComfortDelgro.
The only local candidate emerged yesterday as Northern Beaches bus operator Forest Coach Lines, which is eyeing a possible tie-up with a harbour cruise operator.
Mr Walker said a private operator should not be allowed to raise fares at will to increase profit.
"Ferry fares would remain regulated by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW," he said.
With Circular Quay at near capacity, Mr Walker has suggested a second city hub at the King St Wharf.
An alternative city destination would service the growing precinct to the north and west of the CBD and allow for future patronage growth.
Privatisation will again pit the Government against maritime unions, which remain opposed even though Mr Walker suggested a model that would guarantee all ferry and maintenance jobs.