Would you take a ferry from Petone?
Last week we asked you if you would use a ferry service between Petone and Wellington and the votes were in. Three hundred and fifty three people voted with 75.4 per cent saying ‘‘yes’’, 17.6 per cent ‘‘no’’ and 7.1 per cent were unsure. Here’s what people had to say.
SANDRA GREIG, NORMANDALE
If the Hutt is to survive both business, home and historically, the Petone Wharf needs to be mended and used professionally as a wharf.
MARIE GLENDENNING, FAIRFIELD
As an earthquake backup plan should the road be blocked, it makes a lot of sense and would take the pressure off Eastbourne.
RICHARD COLE, KOROKORO
While this sounds like a great idea in theory the first thing is to replace the Petone Wharf. Also where would people park their cars to board the ferry? As many of the streets throughout Petone are marked with dotted yellow No Parking lines there is not the space available on the streets. The Council at present seems very reluctant to change this historical situation. We need a proper longterm solution for traffic to and from Petone and parking in and around Petone. The current traffic solutions are not working.
PAULINE HARPER, PETONE
When the Petone to Wellington ferry did run the pilot crossing I caught it every morning to work. One of the most fantastic 20-minutes trips you can imagine. I also enjoyed the walk throughout that winter along the beach. However there are obviously parking and costs to be taken into account - but surely some integrated planning with the vision of such long-term benefits - could find some creative solutions.
CAMERON TAYLOR, HARBOUR VIEW
I would use it but access to the wharf itself in the morning needs a solution. It is very difficult to get to the wharf because of congestion on The Esplanade. The ferry can be very popular but it needs a bit of planning to ensure smooth access.
MARY-ANN HUTTON, PETONE
I would not use the ferry to get to work as the cost is double what it costs to catch the train. I do however like the fact that it runs on the weekend and visitors from out of town love to catch it to the city. The ferry could also be used as an alternative route home if there is a traffic jam on the motorway.
JOAN JAMES, EPUNI
Why add another mode of transport, the trains already run less than half full at off peak times. It would take a brave person to put their money into that venture I think.
LUKE GUYTON, BOULCOTT
I doubt that a ferry service would have any impact on traffic. I don’t agree that it is a ‘‘must’’ and I think the Hutt will ‘‘survive’’ just fine without it as we already do. A viable commercial operation which impacts the Hutt would need to be high volume and have really cheap fares to attract people. Not likely in either case in my opinion.
WHAT YOU SAID
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