Changes to Ferry Route to Impact Local Ferry Users

“Circular Quay is an interchange and at this stage, Bangaroo is NOT…….so to shift the arrival and departure point for ferries is a nonsense and will create a significant disadvantage for older people, people with disabilities and students needing to interchange to travel to such places as the Universities of NSW, UTS, Notre Dame and Sydney. The Metro station at Bangaroo will not open for a number of years yet and the light rail is not accessibly located for Bangaroo.

Another key question relates to why are we not seeing the much-needed upgrade of Circular Quay wharf infrastructure which is old and unable to cope……this is where the planning should be starting NOT with changing ferry routes and creating a patch up solution…….it’s just like shifting the deck chairs to solve a much bigger problem.

This planning is a NOT planning, it is a patch-up solution and is totally unacceptable to commuters and the wider community. We are  talking about PUBLIC TRANSPORT……….for who I ask…….certainly not many of the users.”

The Greenwich Community Association was not aware of the proposed changes until there was an article in the Sydney Morning Herald on 15 January 2020 (consultation started in November).

The Greenwich Community Association has sent out the following information to its members:

“HAVE YOU HEARD THAT THE OPERATOR OF SYDNEY FERRIES IS PROPOSING TO SCRAP ITS CIRCULAR QUAY DESTINATION FOR PARRAMATTA RIVER RUNS (THIS INCLUDES GREENWICH FERRIES) FROM 2021?

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT YOU WILL NEED TO DISEMBARK AT BARANGAROO?

Unlike Circular Quay, with short walks to bus, train and light rail links, Barangaroo Wharf is at minimum a 10 minute walk to Wynyard Station, much of it without weather protection and requiring three lifts, if you find stairs or escalators difficult to negotiate.

Even more walking (and lifts) if you want to catch buses or the light rail on George Street.

And the Barangaroo Metro station is not due to open until 2024.

The first most of us heard about this was the SMH article on 15 January

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fears-ferry-shake-up-will-lead-to-longer-journeys-for-commuters-20200115-p53rn3.html

Why has this been kept so quiet?

Transdev, the operator of Sydney Ferries, has agreed to attend an information session prior to our GCA AGM on Wednesday 19 February. This is after the submission deadline but we hope the views expressed at the meeting will be taken on board by Transdev.

More details coming soon.

We have written to the Hon Anthony Roberts asking for his help to secure an extended consultation period.

DON’T TAKE YOUR CHANCES ON AN EXTENDED CONSULTATION PERIOD.

The Have Your Say process is messy and frustrating but please persist.

Register your views on https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/ by

14 FEBRUARY

And tell your friends – many people will hear this news for the first time this week!”

Lane Cove is serviced by Sydney Ferries and Captain Cook Cruises.  Captain Cook Cruises ferries depart from Longueville Wharf, Greenwich and Northwood Wharves.  Many ITC followers have suggested it would be better if the Ferry went to Bangaroo and Circular Quay.  Commuters want the option of both stops.  Find out more about the Captain Cook Cruise to the City here.   The changes above do not impact the Longueville Ferry.

You can have your say on the proposed changes here.  Comments close on 14th Feb 2020.

Be an Informed Lane Cove Local with ITC

To make sure you don’t miss Lane Cove info sign up to our newsletter. It comes out every Wednesday Night at 7.30pm and includes a wrap up of everything posted on our Facebook site in the previous week.

Read this week’s newsletter

Did you know that In the Cove has an instagram page? Yes we do and we feature pictures from our roving reporters and our ITC team that do not appear on our Facebook page. Follow us on @inthecove