FERRY TEST IS NOW OUT IN THE OPEN

It seems the days of free trips across the Derwent from the CBD to Bellerive (and vice versa) are about to end. State Growth has revealed commuters will have to start paying the ferryman for the service from August 8.

While the fares will still be an impost on a lot of commuters it is still going to be a good bit cheaper than getting in the car, driving over the Tasman Bridge and paying for parking in the CBD.

Prices are reasonable, one crossing will cost $3.50 for a full adult fare or $2.80 with a Greencard (the card issued by Metro to pay for public transport) and concession fares will be $2.40 or a $1.92 with a Greencard.

Child and student fares will be $1.90 or $1.52 with a Greencard.

In it’s first year of service more than 110,000 people have used the ferry to get across the river and avoid traffic congestion.

There is no doubt it has been a success but the real test for the ferry is right now.

Will people, in similar sorts of numbers, pay to use the service?

One commuter Elicia Casey-Winter, said the ferry had been a positive for her but thought the fare would make her more inclined to ride her bike over the Tasman Bridge instead.

“It seemed a bit scary (cycling over the bridge) but I missed the ferry this morning and had to do it, and it was okay,” Ms Casey-Winter said.

“I’m probably more likely to do that again rather than pay for the ferry every day.”

Despite not wanting to pay for the service Ms Casey-Winter said she was glad the ferry service was continuing.

“I don’t usually travel at peak times, but it definitely seems to have had an influence on traffic … it’s been great,” she said.

Ms Casey-Winter feelings on payment is something the government is going to have to combat because there is a lot riding on this plan.

With the fight for more ferry services along the Derwent River – both north and south – gaining momentum this service needs to be a success.

Any large drop off in patronage will make it hard for governments and councils to invest in new routes.

The positive out of the plan is that surveys have shown the vast majority of passengers would pay for the service.

The one provision was that the service was as economically friendly as the buses.

That goal has been achieved. Now it’s up to the residents of Hobart to vote with their feet and continue to catch the ferry.

A ferry network across the Derwent will be a game changer for public transport in the city. We just need people to use it.