More than 250,000 passengers have given the Derwent Ferry service a vote of confidence as the operation marks its second anniversary today.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, joined passengers on the service to mark the occasion.
“Having now carried more than 250,000 passengers, we are confident that the service is getting it right,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The ferry has been a resounding success with passengers embracing the service and from the very start the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We were pleased when we first hit the 60,000-passenger mark after eight months of operation and we were blown away when we hit 100,000 in June last year so 250,000 certainly justifies the additional commitment from both the State and Federal levels.
“It has become an important part of our transport network, removing thousands of cars from the road during peak hours and, importantly, from the Tasman Bridge.
“We’re working hard to make the service even better and expand it to other locations along the river.
“We have recently purchased the existing wharf facilities at Bellerive and will make the facilities there even more comfortable for passengers.
“Importantly, we’re also getting close to finalising a draft Derwent Ferry Masterplan, that examines potential new stops and routes and we look forward to sitting down to progress it with the Greater Hobart councils.
“While we give this important work the attention it deserves, we’ve extended the contract with Roche Brothers to run the current service to lock-in the immediate future of the operation.
“The Liberal Government is proud to have delivered this service and to see commuters vote with their feet – and on the Derwent Ferry’s second birthday it is fair to say 250,000 passengers have declared it a winner,” he said.
