EXPANSION PLAN FOR FERRY
NEW commuter ferry services could operate between Geelong and Melbourne and parts of Port Phillip Bay under ambitious expansion plans by high profile businessman Paul Little.
A $10 million purpose-built vessel will be added to Mr Little’s Port Phillip Ferries fleet next month, and the service has won approval for higher speeds at the mouth of the Yarra River.
The operator already runs daily trips between Portarlington and Docklands, and between Portarlington and Geelong on Saturdays until Christmas.
Under serious consideration is a new terminal at Sta- tion Pier for expanded bay services, and the introduction of new routes on the Yarra, with the focus on a quick peak commuter service between Chapel St and Flinders St Station.
Outlining their vision, Mr Little and Port Phillip Ferries chief executive Murray Rance said extensive time trials and patronage surveys could proceed with the arrival of the new 405-seat ferry in December.
Mr Little, the former Essendon Football Club chairman, said the ferry featured enhanced seating, a smoother sail, a cafe and Wi-Fi and would be ideal for a Melbourne-Geelong service.
“We’ve got Geelong companies really keen to access a regular ferry service southbound for their staff,” he said.
“One of the firms would consider allowing their staff to clock on when they hop on board as long as they work all the way to Geelong and then clock on when they come back again.”
Mr Little said a new terminal at Station Pier would provide a faster commute time to Geelong than the estimated 100 minutes from Victoria Harbour at Docklands.
“Station Pier gives us a lot more flexibility, and with the State Government’s current plans to be running a light rail into that whole Port Melbourne/ Fishermans Bend area we think the ferry has got a lot of upside there,” he said.
Mr Rance said smaller 150 to 200-seat ferries could potentially be used for 17-minute morning and evening peak commuter services on the Yarra between Chapel St and Flinders St Station, and also for tourist runs.
Passengers could also be dropped off at the Melbourne Park tennis complex.
Port Phillip Ferries is also being encouraged by the Government to look at options for the eastern side of the bay, including the Mornington Peninsula.
Mr Little said there might be potential for a “grocery run” involving peninsula stops or just services between beach suburbs closer to the city.
“The possibilities are endless. You could run from Brighton, for example, or St Kilda to Geelong,” he said.
“The effort required to commute around the bay by car and rail is significant. We’re just examining the feasibilities.”
Despite the setback over the Wyndham Harbour to Docklands trial, Mr Little — who made a fortune from transport logistics giant Toll Holdings — believed Melburnians wanted good ferry services.
“As the traffic congestion continues to aggravate most people who get caught in it, the stress-less environment of a ferry can be very attractive,” he said.