Strong numbers on ferry

MORE than 7500 people travelled on the new River Derwent trial ferry service in the first three weeks of its introduction.

The long-awaited service, part of the $1.6bn Hobart City Deal, finally opened to the public last month and commuters have jumped at the opportunity.

An average of 440 passengers travelled on the ferry each day during the first three weeks of operation to the end of August, with Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson declaring commuters had “voted with their sea legs”.

Mr Ferguson revealed the patronage figures during budget estimates hearings this week.

“That’s a total of 7548 people and, potentially, the same number of cars not travelling across the Tasman Bridge in peak traffic periods,’’ he said.

“There is a long way to go for the initial year-long trial, but if these passenger numbers continue it would suggest that people are happy with this alternative to driving or cycling over the bridge.”

A trip on the ferry is free for people travelling with a bicycle and for those who have a Metro Greencard.