Ferry frustration rises
TT-LINE says the arrival of its larger ships will ease the booking frustration felt by passengers with big vehicles who cannot get on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries unless they book months ahead.
TT-Line chief executive Bernard Dwyer said it was obvious Tasmania needed larger ferries to cope with demand.
“We need bigger ships,” Mr Dwyer said.
The new, bigger Spirit of Tasmania IV is due to arrive in the first quarter of 2024 and the Spirit of Tasmania V in the last quarter of 2024 – three years later than first announced.
The Tasmanian government cancelled its contract with a German shipbuilder and has now signed with a Finnish company to deliver the new vessels.
“We know customers have been taking to social media to vent their frustration at not being able to get their larger vehicles on the ferries,’’ Mr Dwyer said.
One frustrated person posted on social media: “We are Tasmanians wanting to travel and go away in October (nearly six months) with a caravan on. Can you believe I can get over in October ‘just’ but not one available spot to come home in October, November or December unless we come home on Christmas Day. What a crock of s--t for availability for Tasmanians to connect to the mainland.
“So, I assume it’s because our van is over 2.1m high. Let me guess, all the trucks have it booked out.”
Mr Dwyer said the current ferries had space limitations for caravans and campervans.
“We review bookings and put on more sailings where we can but we are very, very busy. People need to keep talking to our contact centre and check wait lists online.”
He said some short-term opportunities did come up.
“There is a huge pent-up demand and a long wait time for caravans,’’ Mr Dwyer said.
A lot of people are still travelling around Australia rather than going overseas. “Demand is seasonal.
“A lot of Tasmanians want to head north in winter but the break-up of who is travelling is pretty even both ways across Bass Strait.”