CPI rise for Davistown ferry, but not for Palm Beach
Fares on the Davistown ferry will rise in line with the CPI while prices on the Palm Beach ferry will remain the same for the next four years, according to a draft determination by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
The tribunal is now calling for public submissions about the proposed fares.
The Davistown ferry is operated by Central Coast Ferries, which provides a service between Woy Woy and Empire Bay.
The Palm Beach Ferry is operated by Fantasea Cruising, which provides ferry services between Ettalong and Palm Beach.
The current maximum fare for Central Coast Ferries is $7.80.
The current maximum fare for the Palm Beach Ferries service is $11.60.
Under the draft decision, the new fares would apply from the start of next year until the end of 2021.
Tribunal chair Dr Peter Boxall said that the draft decision on the fares varied due to different levels of competition and different costs involved in providing the services on each of the ferry routes.
"We have accepted Central Coast Ferries' fare proposal as we considered it to be market-driven, considering that it is operating in a relatively competitive market.
"However, for the Palm Beach ferry, having reviewed the costs, our draft decision is for fares to remain unchanged for the next four years.
"Our view is that passengers should pay the prices that reflect the efficient cost of providing the services while enabling private ferry operators to sustain their business over the long term," Dr Boxall said.
The review of ferry fares on the Central Coast is part of a broader review of fares for regular private ferry services across NSW.
Submissions to the draft report close on October 27, with an opportunity for further comments at a public hearing to be held on October 23.
All stakeholder comments will be taken into consideration before making the final determination in December.
The draft report is available on the Tribunal's website: ipart.nsw.gov.au.
SOURCE:
Media release, 18 Sep 2017
Julie Sheather, IPART