Ferry nice way to reach city
PORTARLINGTON’S ferry service has sold 21,000 seats in the space of 13 weeks, equating to a 7 per cent increase on trial numbers.
The 400-capacity ferry has run more than 500 services — including a sellout 10.45am trip to the Portarlington Mussel Festival — since its official launch on November 22 last year, running to a schedule of three trips a day to and from Melbourne’s Victoria Harbour (Docklands).
Chief executive Murray Rance said that numbers had been “really strong” during the holiday season, noting that some journeys had been up to three-quarters full.
“These numbers have dropped back since school term, but are picking up week on week in comparison to numbers from November,” Mr Rance said. “We have plans for an on-board cafe and, with opportunities to partner with operators in the region, we believe both the tourism and commuter numbers will grow.”
Portarlington’s $15 million Safe Harbour upgrade will see the construction of a new berthing pontoon for the ferry, with the project set for a midyear completion.
“These numbers have dropped back since school term, but are picking up week on week in comparison to numbers from November.” MURRAY RANCE