Talks with Fullers aim to stem Waiheke ferry fury
Company says meeting with politicians focused on tackling long-term issues together
The plan to fix the Waiheke ferry fury will start with immediate action on wharf management and prioritising elderly and frail commuters.
Irate commuters have been left out in the cold after winter sailings to Waiheke Island were reduced, resulting in tension, abuse and even violence.
Amid rising concerns, an urgent meeting was called between Fullers360 chief executive Mike Horne, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye and the chairwoman of the Waiheke Local Board, Cath Handley, to address issues with the service.
“Waiheke is a world-class destination but is receiving a substandard service,” Kaye said after the meeting yesterday.
“Handley and I have had a constructive meeting with Fullers where they acknowledged some issues relating to their services.
“The tensions raised by commuters are real and will continue unless we can get real movement on
these issues to guarantee greater oversight and continuity of services.”
Commuters spoken to by the Herald said tensions had been rising since Fullers switched from half-hourly sailings in summer to its winter schedule, with hourly sailings at off-peak times and reducing spaces on the boats.
Passengers desperate not to be left on the dock are reportedly lashing out at crew, some pushing and shoving Fullers workers, and shouting abuse if the ferry is full.
In a statement, Horne said the service understands changes to timetables can be frustrating but any form of abuse towards staff is unacceptable.
“We urge our commuters to please treat our crew with respect,” he said.
Horne added the meeting with Kaye and Handley was “constructive” and focused on tackling the long-term issues together. Meanwhile, there are several other issues to resolve in the long term, including integrated ticketing and Fullers exempt service status, Kaye said.
Fullers has a special status which exempts its ferry services from Auckland Transport oversight and competitive tendering rules.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the exemption to the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) was introduced by former Transport Minister Steven Joyce in 2011.
“It is unclear why. Auckland Transport was concerned at the time that they would have no oversight of the ferry service,” Twyford said.
“I have made no secret of my concern that PTOM is a race to the bottom for public transport services and could be driving down workers conditions and wages.
“Last week I announced a full review of PTOM and part of this work will look at the appropriateness of the current exemptions to the model.”
Kaye said the exemption either needs to be removed, which would affect Fullers commercially, or an alternative needs to be found.
However, any alternative measure would have to ensure greater guarantees around the quality of what are essential services, she said.
“This is not like other forms of public transport. When people are potentially left on the wharf, they don’t have the ability to get an Uber or phone a friend,” Kaye said.
Meanwhile, Handley said of yesterday’s meeting that: “We haven’t got any specific answers right now other than they’ll work with us collaboratively here on in.”