Hi Mike, 
Here are my thoughts on the Ferry commuters problems 
 
FERRY COMMUTER PROBLEMS - WHO CAN SOLVE THEM? 
 
I congratulate Bret Walker QC on the report he has prepared detailing the problems faced by ferry commuters. My main concern about the report is that its scope may too narrow. It only deals with one aspect of the ferry commuters problem; Sydney Ferry Corporation (SFC). The enquiry is thorough and well developed and raises some good points. However, looking at the bigger picture, the ferry commuter’s problems are much more wide spread and need to be viewed from a wider perspective. Commuter's problems do not start and end at the ferry wharf. How does the commuter get to the wharf, where does he park his car, how much does it cost to park his car, how does he pay for parking his car. How easy is it for him to get from where he parks his car to the ferry wharf? Is their a transport system keyed to getting him from his car the wharf. 
 
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FERRY? 
Sections of the ferry’s passenger area should be set aside as a work area. This would allow some commuters to convert wasted travel time into productive work time. Travel on a ferry is reasonably smooth, compared to cars or buses, making it possible to do some types of work. With laptop PCs and WiFi becoming common place, many people could do productive work during a ferry trip. 
This concept could be used to make ferry trips more attractive to commuters from Parramatta to the city. Under ideal conditions companies could credit some of the time spent working during the ferry ride to paid work time. 
 
Holding a public meeting about the problems facing ferry commuters is a good start. It clearly defines the problems from the end users stand point and suggested some possible solutions. This information was then compiled into a report that was submitted to the government.  
The SFC problems are only one piece in bigger puzzle. 
Solving many of these other problems is independent of the SFC issues. These problems should be worked on concurrently to speed up solving the ferry commuter problems. A key issue is integrated scheduling between buses and ferries. Fixing this problem gives immediate benefits, does not require the purchase of additional equipment or staff. All that is needed is for the bus scheduling staff to talk to the ferry scheduling staff. 
 
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. 
This is an area that has a lot of room for development. This is also a task that demands cooperation from a variety of different power structures. This fact alone means it will be the most difficult task. A number of things can be done in this area, intergraded ticketing system for bus, ferry and car park fees. This makes using the system easier and the easier a thing is to use the more people are likely to use it. The municipal car parks in Manly should have an area set aside for commuters. Car parks at the various clubs in the area could be used by commuters. Many of these clubs have courtesy buses that could be used to move commuters from the club car park to the ferry wharf. Clubs could use this feature to promote membership in their club. Car parking facilities at sporting grounds around the area could also be used as commuter car parks. Existing bus routes and time tables could be altered to facilitate movement of passengers from the car parks to ferry terminals.  
 
WHARF FACILITIES 
A good opportunity to improve this part of ferry services was missed a few years ago when Manly wharf was up graded. This was the perfect opportunity to upgrade the facility with improved information systems. These system would advise arriving passengers about inter connecting bus schedules. Direct them to the location where those buses stopped to pick up passengers. Advise when the next ferry from Sydney would arrive, when the next ferry to Sydney would depart. A directory to local resources such as Banks, Newsagents, Clubs, other amenities could be included as well. Like facilities to protect the commuter from the weather all the way to the street. This would include protection for passenger waiting to cross the street. Because some of the ferries have upper decks an elevated walkway to the Corso and possibly the car parks would be nice. This would eliminate passengers waiting for traffic lights to change just outside the wharf.  
The upgrade that was done did not even come close to meeting any of these ferry commuters needs. Bus stops were moved father away from the wharf. Pretty coloured pavers were laid and a water feature which no longer works was installed. Manly council had its own agenda which did not include resolving problems faced by ferry commuters. 
 
LESS OBVIOUS BUT IMPORTANT REVELATIONS. 
Perhaps the most damming relations of Bret Walker’s enquiry is the fact that many of these failing have been highlighted in previous enquiries but no real solution have been enacted. This suggest the people involved in the actual management of the system, have a “All care but no responsibility is taken” attitude about managing the ferry community’s needs. If any positive results are to be gained from this enquiry, the people responsible for implementing the suggested changes need to be named. A time table for the actioning of these changes needs to be formulated and the consequences for failing to enact these changes need to be defined. Some suggestions could include; promotion to head latrine cleaned at Blacktown train station, loss of government limo, loss of plush office at Pitt Street and cute blond secretary, no overseas fact finding trips for the next 10 years.  
 
THE FINAL STEP. 
The enquiries and public meeting are all necessary steps in solving the ferry commuters problems but they don’t address one key issue; Public involvement. Little will happen without public pressure on the government at the state level, the local level. Public feeling must be made known to the clubs whose parking facilities could be used by the commuter. Companies that employ people that use ferries need to be involved in these solutions as well. 
Are you part of the solution? If not why not?

Hi Mike, Whilst fixing the Ferry service is a good start, I believe something really needs to be done for transportation on the Northern Beaches in general. It might not be a popular solution but Trains can solve this problem. No need to build expensive toll road tunnels which will put more cars on the roads and therefore more traffic jams. Buses are forever crowded and always leaves people at bus stops. Also when they get stuck behind push bike riders riding to city in peak hour, this then slows everyone down.  
Trains can potentially get you to any part of Sydney metro area, greener, more cars off the road, can incorporate buses to run into suburbs from main stations at the mall, dee why etc. Someone in power needs to take a stand and do something NOW and not when its gridlock through the spit, mosman etc which every year its getting closer and closer to that stage. 
Thanks,