Ferry services in Sydney and along the NSW coast have been deemed ‘quite useful’ during a survey of residents by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
IPART said the survey was undertaken as part of its review of fares for seven private ferry services in Sydney, the Central Coast and the NSW North Coast.
“More than 88 per cent of residents surveyed across all routes said that a ferry that serviced the route was at least ‘quite useful’ to the community,” IPART said.
“More than half of those surveyed for the Brooklyn, Church Point, Cronulla and Palm Beach routes described the service as ‘essential’ to their community,” it said.
“The survey results will help both IPART and stakeholders understand the role of these private ferry services in their communities.”
IPART said the survey asked residents and passengers about how they used private ferry services, including the reasons why they did, or did not use them; how satisfied they were with their local service; and the extent to which fares and other factors influenced their use of private ferries.
It said the survey also found that, on average, 85 per cent of residents said ferries were an enjoyable way to travel; lower fares and more stops were the factors most likely to increase people’s use of private ferries; and the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted on people using ferries, with one in four using their local service less than usual in the previous 12 months.
The Tribunal said it was still accepting public comment on its issues paper Review of maximum fares for private ferry services for 2022 to 2025, released in June, until 6 August.
IPART’s seven-page survey report can be accessed at this PS News link and its 13-page Issues Paper, including information on how to have a say, at this link.
