Media release – Department of State Growth, 4 July 2022
Are you Greencard ready for the Derwent ferry?
Passengers of the Derwent River ferry service are encouraged to get their Greencards ready for the commencement of fares on Monday, 8 August 2022.
After a full year of free travel on the service to encourage people to give it a go, from 8 August, fares will be charged equivalent to the Metro single zone bus rate.
The service has been free for the first year for passengers with a Greencard, bicycle or e-scooter, as an incentive to try the new service and combine it with active or public transport.
Having trialled the service fare-free for the first 12 months to help get passengers on board, we now need to assess the service as a real public transport option in the longer-term.
Continued uptake of the service also will play a significant role in determining the viability of expanding ferries to more destinations and at more times, which is currently being examined.
The vast majority of passengers have told us that they are willing to pay a fare equivalent to those charged for catching the bus, so this is the fare option we have chosen.
To make sure the system is working correctly we will have Greencard scanners on board from Monday, 18 July, and while passengers will be asked to scan their card during this testing period, they won’t be charged.
Once fare charging starts, cash and credit/debit cards can also be used but a Greencard will be the best options for regular passengers due to its 20 per cent discount.
From 8 August 2022, a full adult fare on the ferry will be $3.50, or with a Greencard only $2.80 and concession fares will be $2.40 or $1.92 with a Greencard, and for a child/student $1.90 or just $1.52 with a Greencard.
Using a Greencard on the Derwent Ferry service also means the standard 90-minute transfer period applies, the same as on Metro buses, meaning passengers can transfer to or from a bus as part of the single journey to further minimise travel costs.
So far more than 110,000 trips have been taken on the Derwent River ferry service and we expect number to remain strong with more than 520 people a day choosing this fast, convenient and comfortable travel option.
Timetables and more information are available at transport.tas.gov.au/public_
Cassy O’Connor MP, Greens Leader, 5 July 2022
Derwent Ferries Should Stay Free
The decision to charge all passengers for using the Derwent ferry service is a backward step for greater Hobart commuters.
The re-introduction of a public ferry on the Derwent has been warmly welcomed by locals. It’s been fantastic to see such a positive community response to this service. It’s disappointing, however, that rather than embracing the current model’s success, Minister Ferguson wants to begin charging all ferry users.
With soaring cost of living, governments at all levels need to be doing what everything they can to support the community and stimulate local economy by making it easier for people to get around. This was the rationale for the government to give Tasmanians free bus travel for a month in March.
Of Metro Tasmania’s $60 million in revenue, only $10 million is achieved through fares. The majority of their funding already comes from state government grants. It would not be a significant additional burden to the State to make all fares free, and it would have significant public benefit.
Given the financial hardship being felt by so many Tasmanians, the Liberals could make all public transport permanently free if they changed their priorities.
The government is trying to justify ferry fares as crucial for its viability. The cost of running this service for free, however, is tiny in comparison with the bloated annual roads budget.
It is all about government priorities. In a cost of living crisis, a responsible government should be putting people before bitumen.
If the Liberals are serious about reducing traffic congestion, and encouraging more commuters to take to the Derwent, they should keep the ferries free.
If the Rockliff Government really wants to ease pressure in a cost of living crisis, they should make all public transport free.
