Fantastic ferry set up for failure

I TRAVELLED on the new HobartBellerive ferry today. The ferry is very comfortable and the crew pleasant, helpful and efficient. The ferry is up to date with all the Covid check-in requirements and passengers can choose between the comfortable, warm, attractive interior that looks like a trendy bar and the breezy upper deck with of great views of kunanyi/Mt Wellington and harbour. This is a world-class tourist experience! All this for the once off cost of $5 for a metro card.

However, I fear the trial of this service has been set up to fail, not only because it has only one stop which is not co-ordinated with public transport, but mainly because of limited sailing times, which do not cater for people who work usual business hours returning from work in the evening nor for people who want to cross the river in the middle of the day.

A plea to the Tasmanian government to increase and improve the sailing times to suit the people who want to use it to cross the river and for all Tasmanians who can to use the ferry to demonstrate our support for this fabulous service.

Vivien Wright

Bellerive