Express ferry service to link Parramatta to CBD (2 Viewers)

[enterspacebar]

Express ferries are expected to link Parramatta to the Sydney CBD in less than an hour under a service due to begin later this year.

The NSW government is spending $4 million over two years to set up the service, which will run hourly between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on weekends.

Premier Nathan Rees believes there is community demand for the ferries, despite a lack of interest from the private sector.

He described the move as a "terrific shot in the arm for public transport in the western suburbs".

"As someone who lives nearby, the local community here has been wanting the service for some time," Mr Rees said while launching plans for the service at Parramatta wharf.

He said commuters would be able to enjoy the Parramatta River's "million-dollar views" every day on the ferry service.

Unlike most ferries, the Parramatta-city link will begin and end at King Street Wharf instead of Circular Quay.

The service, expected to take less than 55 minutes, is due to be running by year's end.

At present ferries have to slow down in the upper reaches of the river because of the wash caused by its shallowness, which has prompted environmental concerns.

The express service will make up time by reducing the number of stops.

But Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell doubts the government is serious about the service, saying the coalition introduced Parramatta ferry services almost two decades ago.

"It's been 14 years of Labor running it into the ground that raised these question marks," he said.

"It will take more than fine words to convince people in Parramatta they're about to get the ferry service they deserve.

"It's (Labor) has run down the Parramatta River ferry service - the Premier deserves no accolades today for finally doing what (Labor) should have done 14 years ago, which is back this important service to Sydney."

Express ferry service to link Parramatta to CBD

 

[Fortify]

What is the advantage of this supposedly fast 55 minute service?

It only takes 35 minutes on the train.

Maybe some people enjoy a boat ride?

 

[babikakez]

Maybe some people enjoy a boat ride?

I'd prefer an extra 20 minutes up my sleeve.

 

[SAVAK]

Reece is a fucking sped.

 

[kaz1]

Reece is a fucking sped.

lol at the irony.

 

[Fortify]

I'd prefer an extra 20 minutes up my sleeve.

Hence I say some people. Cityrail is also teh fail.

 

[enterspacebar]

Maybe some people wanna get sea sick so they get sent home from work?

 

[aussie-boy]

Lol yet another hopeless attempt to convince us that the Rees gov is doing something about public transport (along with a metro that goes to nowhere, a family funday sunday ticket and some bright red buses that follow the same route as lots of other buses)

And express??? Wtf lol, this will take 4x as long as the jetcat takes to get to Manly - and its only double the distance. And there already 9 services a day in each direction, some of which only take 50 mins.

So in summary, there will be 3 more services a day, which will take the same time as the existing ferries or be 5 minutes slower!!! How could the media even publish such a nothing story???

 

[SAVAK]

Fuck, who voted for this government. WHO?? I feel like punching you in the face.

 

[MaNiElla]