Ferry service calls for equality with buses

Central Coast Ferries has called on the State Opposition to extend MyZone and Pensioner Excursion Tickets to its Woy Woy to Empire Bay ferry service should it win Government.

In a meeting with Shadow Transport Minister Ms Gladys Berejiklian and Gosford Liberal candidate Cr Chris Holstein, Central Coast Ferries proprietor Ms Bets Conway argued that private ferry operators should be able to take advantage of subsidies provided to private bus operators, so they could remain competitive.

"If supported financially, we could run a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and efficient means of public transport to lessen the impact on roads and infrastructure."

She said it would be feasible to run a low-wash high-speed ferry capable of carrying 120 passengers to Saratoga, Yattalunga, Green Point, Point Frederick and Koolewong Station.

Ms Conway said that, if ferry contracts were similar to bus contracts, the cost would be less to the community, with longer vessel life and lower infrastructure costs.

She said that ferries could also be used to transport school students cost-effectively from outlying areas such as Davistown and Saratoga, to take advantage of high school facilities at Brisbane Water Secondary College.

Email, 17 Dec 2010 Bets Conway, Central Coast Ferries