One of Australia’s largest maritime companies has told the NSW Government it is possible to run a fast ferry service to Manly that is cheaper, more reliable, more environmentally friendly and more frequent, said Manly MP Mike Baird.

“Last week the Premier revealed his plans to leave Manly commuters in the lurch with the scrapping of the JetCat service and no plans for a replacement. A fast ferry service can be provided, yet the Government is still choosing to ignore these facts,” Mr Baird said.

“Riverside Marine, which has operated the Palm Beach ferry service for 25 years and is one of the largest companies in the Australian maritime industry, has written to the Government saying it can operate a fast ferry service to Manly at a fraction of the cost.

“In a letter to the Director General of the Ministry of Transport, which has gone unanswered, Riverside Marine says it can run a fast service to Manly that has a greater capacity than the existing service, operates more frequently, is more environmentally friendly and at no cost to taxpayers.

“Public transport should remain the responsibility of State Government but if it can’t match these terms for a fast ferry service, put management out to tender and public safeguards in place.

“The Premier must answer why Sydney Ferries’ costs are so high and why his Government has done nothing to improve these services over the past 13 years? Riverside can help from November 12 if Nathan Rees decides it’s all too hard.

“Rather than reeling off figures on how costly the JetCat service is to run, the Government should be looking at how to reduce these costs for commuters and taxpayers. They’re not even considering proposals that land on their desk and have solutions.

“While revenue to Sydney Ferries has increased by 14% over the past five years, expenses have increased by 46%. These costs are the reason that Sydney Ferries is failing and Manly commuters are suffering.

“The Transport Minister said it was unfair taxpayers had to subsidise the JetCats but every household in Manly pays $14 a week to subsidise fares for trains, that they don’t catch and yet they could catch a fast ferry that was no burden to taxpayers.

“If the JetCats are cancelled and no alternate fast service is provided, there will be thousands of commuters who will have no option but to drive to work, adding further congestion to our roads.”

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