Mike Baird | Member for Manly - Manly Fast Ferry Commuters Win Choice

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Manly Fast Ferry Commuters Win Choice

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Manly MP Mike Baird has welcomed the competition to the Manly fast ferry service but said the tender has still jeopardised the long-term offering to commuters.

"We welcome the news that Bass & Flinders will fight to continue the service they have provided so well, however we still believe the tender process has failed both parties," Mr Baird said.

Yesterday the current operators of the Manly Fast Ferry, Bass & Flinders, announced they would continue to operate their service utilising the wharf outside Manly Wharf Hotel and the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay.

“It’s good news that fast ferry commuters will have choice but the way the government has handled this has been atrocious,” Mr Baird said.

“Government interests, not commuter interests, have driven the tender process. In demanding a substantial upfront fee, the NSW Government has stacked the odds against the new operator who will be forced to recoup costs from commuters.

“We do welcome Bass & Flinders back into the race and hope that both operators can succeed.

“However we still believe that over the long term, a single tender based on the best service at the lowest possible price is the best way forward.

“Over the past few weeks several hundred commuters have emailed passionate pleas to the Transport Minister not to jeopardise their fast ferry service.

“It is good the community’s dismay has been heard and the NSW Government has allowed the current operators to run their service from an alternate wharf.

“Whether both operators can survive remains to be seen but we hope they can, particularly if they do so by dragging people out of their cars and out of the Spit bottleneck.

“It remains our view that the tender should be reissued and awarded on the quality of service, not cash to government.

“However we welcome Bass & Flinders back into the race and are pleased the many commuters who took action have secured a victory in holding on to their service.”

MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880

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Comments (4)

Fast Ferry

I agree with Mike that the system has failed these two businesses. I fear that the route will be unable to support them both.

Posted by: Christine King at 28-01-2010 12:45

Manly Fast Ferry

Mike, a great win of sorts. After years dealing with a sub-standard jet cat service, it was with great relief that the new operators proved to be everything that the public service wasn't - professional, friendly and staffed by people who looked like they enjoyed what they were doing. Adding in the fact you can enjoy a beer in the afternoon sun and you couldn't help but feel proud to be a Manly resident. Undoubtedly, the current transport minister never had the chance to travel on the ferry. I'm sure he struggles to find the northern beaches on the map. His decision came of no surprise whatsover given the current government has no solution to our hideous transport problem (a pedestrian bridge at the spit??). The fact that the team at Bass Flinders is refusing to give up is testament to their focus on giving customers what they want. I for one will continue to support them, and will encourage my friends to do the same.

Posted by: David Sidd at 28-01-2010 14:58

Manly fast ferry

It is my opinion that the success of the Manly Fast Ferry has been a total embarassment to the Government, it highlights how incompetent Sydney ferries has been in the past. It wouldnt surprise me if their decision to award the new tender was based on what was most likely to fail.For this reason I believe commuters need to continue to support Bass and Flinders, they provided an excellent service and have earned the right to service the route. I feel sorry for the new provider but it is not sustainable to have two fast ferries.

Posted by: Paul Lanigan at 28-01-2010 15:13

Fast Ferry Service & travel over the har

Its a great win about the Ferries but only for the time being. Are 2 Service Providers sustainable in the longer term? This is where the State Government is lacking in zeal. We need politicians who can 'make a difference & contribution for the longer term' even if they are not the party to govern - so all citizens in Manly -Warringah & Pittwater may benefit.
I travel into the city over wakehurst parkway, the Spit and Harbour bridge. This week on Friday we were back to bottlenecks again. The bus took almost 20-25 minutes from the start of the Harbour Bridge to get into York Street - this was in the bus lane!.
York Street cant cope with the traffic and allow the busses to set down at the same time. Unless the congestion of setting down passengers in York Street is resolved heaven help the poor commuters travelling into the city by bus in 5 years time. It will be absolute chaos. There only has to be 1 accident and the whole bridge and Sydney CBD comes to a standstill.
Does anyone care about the workers?

Posted by: Anne Salvador at 30-01-2010 19:25