Article: Calls for Expressions of Interest to Develop and Operate New Peak Hour

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Calls for Expressions of Interest to Develop and Operate New Peak Hour Ferry Routes

The NSW Government is calling for expressions of interest from the private sector to develop and operate new peak hour ferry routes, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Ports Duncan Gay announced today.

Additional routes would be approved if they could be provided on a cost neutral basis to taxpayers and not duplicate services provided by Sydney Ferries and Matilda Cruises under contract to the Government.

"We want the private sector to tell the NSW Government what extra peak hour ferry services they can provide for commuters," Ms Berejiklian said.

"This represents the next stage of reform to the ferry network, and is another step towards fixing Sydney's ferries.

"Developing new routes, fostering innovative service proposals and getting more people off our roads and onto ferries are priorities for the NSW Government.

"There is spare capacity on our harbour and we need to be taking full advantage of that.

"Now is the time for any private sector operator or company who is interested in developing new ferry routes on Sydney Harbour to put forward their plans to the NSW Government.

"The experience of the private sector shows people will use an efficient ferry service and that commuters want to be able to travel on our harbour," Ms Berejiklian said.

Mr Gay said new or existing ferry operators would also be able to bid for peak hour access to wharf 6 at Circular Quay.

"Wharf 6, the western most wharf at Circular Quay, had long been used by charter vessel operators only," Mr Gay said.

"The wharf will now be reserved during the morning and evening peak periods for commuter ferry services.

"This will not impact on existing Sydney Ferry services operating from other wharves at Circular Quay.

"Circular Quay is a critical transport hub where the public can connect with ferries, trains, buses, taxis and charter vessels.

"There is now an opportunity to open Wharf 6 to additional commuter services, giving a wider choice of ferry services to the commuting public.

"Access to other Sydney Harbour wharves would also be made available as part of the process.

"This is a win-win: ferry operators get better access to the city, and spare capacity at Circular Quay and other harbour wharves can be used," Mr Gay said.

Member for Manly Mike Baird welcomed the opportunity for new or existing private ferry operators to have direct access to Circular Quay.

"This is an exciting development and will mean all ferry operators will have an opportunity to deliver better services," Mr Baird said.

Expressions of interest close on 19 September. The NSW Government will assess the expressions of interest and see which routes can be implemented. These services will be provided on interim three month contracts which will be reviewed following the completion of the Sydney Ferries franchise process.

In July the NSW Government announced five private operators had expressed an interest to operate the Sydney Ferries routes as a franchise.

The NSW Government is now reviewing the submissions to determine a short-list who will then be invited to participate in a tender process later in the year.

Source: http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/news/transport/calls-for-expressions-of-interest-to-develop-and-operate-new-peak-hour-ferry-routes