Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 25 March 2021
Derwent ferry a step closer
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working hard to make the lives of southern Tasmanians easier through its plan to bust traffic congestion.
An important element of our plan is the Derwent River ferry service, linking Hobart with Bellerive and offering commuters an alternative to car travel.
Longstanding ferry operator Roche Brothers has been selected as the preferred proponent for this ferry service that will help ease congestion and boost active transport such as cycling and walking.
The initiative is a key component in the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s $175.5 million Greater Hobart Transport Vision.
While the finer details of the ferry service are currently being finalised, it will run as a one-year trial with potential for a one-year extension.
The service will offer a fast and convenient option between the Eastern shore and the city, with a one-way crossing expected to take 20 to 25 minutes.
It is anticipated the trial will begin in the first half of this year, and will operate during weekday peak travel periods.
The trial service will be free to commuters who have a Metro Tasmania Greencard or are travelling with a bicycle.
The Department of State Growth is working on contractual arrangements, which are expected to be finalised within coming weeks.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is pleased to deliver this election commitment and I encourage people to support the service.
Media release – Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, 25 March 2021
FERRY TRIAL ONE SMALL STEP IN STOPPING TRAFFIC SNARL
Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed a trial ferry service on the River Derwent but says a holistic response is desperately needed to fix the traffic snarl.
“While it’s great to hear that local operator Roche Brothers has been selected to run a one-year trial of a River Derwent commuter ferry service, this is a mere drop in the ocean towards what is needed to solve a long-standing problem that only continues to get worse,” Mr Wilkie said.
“While the ferry will provide a welcome alternative for people on the Eastern Shore, what about those gridlocked on the Southern Outlet from Kingston each morning, making the arduous trip in from other outlying suburbs like Sorell, or crawling down the Brooker Highway from Hobart’s Northern Suburbs?
“We will always need roads, so we have to look at improving the road system and traffic flow. But Hobart’s traffic mess also clearly needs a holistic solution that includes light rail, ferries, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, dedicated bus lanes and infill development close to public transport.
“The State Government has made some big promises to bust congestion, but its reforms to date seem to be limited to clearways in Macquarie and Davey streets and, more recently, an offer to ‘look into’ engaging a specialist traffic engineer to examine the problem.
“The Government needs to show some genuine vision and create a liveable city where people aren’t forced into their cars because of poor public transport and a lack of infrastructure for other modes of transport.”
Media release – Bicycle Network Tasmania, 25 March 2021
Ferry operator announcement welcomed
Bicycle Network Tasmania has welcomed the announcement of an operator for the one-year ferry trial across the River Derwent.
“A ferry that carries bicycles will be useful for people who are turned off riding because of the Tasman Bridge,” spokesperson Alison Hetherington said.
“A ferry will be a great stop-gap for those people until the better paths on the bridge are built and for others it may mean a shorter trip than going over the bridge.
“While the Foreshore Trail is a great place to ride, building more separated cycleways on the eastern shore will help more people get to the ferry terminal.
“The government has a plan for more safe, protected cycleways on the eastern shore and we’d like to see the rollout of those to support a ferry service.
“The ideal ferry design will allow people to easily roll their bike on and off to cater for heavier e-bikes, cargo bikes, bikes with child seats and for those people who have trouble lifting a bike.
“At terminals we’d like to see secure, undercover bicycle parking so people can ride to a terminal but walk on if that’s more convenient for them,” Ms Hetherington said.
Joint statement – Mayors of Greater Hobart, 25 March 2021
Mayors welcome Derwent ferry trial
As the , we welcome today’s announcement regarding the progress of the River Derwent ferry trial.
The Derwent Ferry Trial is a key action in the Hobart City Deal Transport Vision and we look forward to seeing how ferry travel will form a key link in a successful integrated Greater Hobart public and active transport network.
By encouraging commuters from the Eastern Shore to cycle or walk to and from ferry terminals, the ferry trial has the potential to take cars off Hobart’s road network. This would in turn benefit all commuters and communities across Greater Hobart.
Now that an operator for the ferry service has been selected, we look forward to the prompt implementation of the trial and subsequent support by the Greater Hobart community in order to make the trial a success.
