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Ferries in Perth
Two ferries passing each other in the middle of a river
MV Tricia and MV Phillip Pendal passing each other on the Swan River
Overview
OwnerPublic Transport Authority
LocaleSwan River, Perth
Transit typeFerry
Number of lines1
Number of stops2
Annual ridership871,290 (year to June 2024)
HeadquartersPublic Transport Centre
Operation
Operator(s)Captain Cook Cruises
Number of vehicles3

History

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The opening of the Narrows Bridge in 1959 caused ferry patronage to drop.[1]

In the 1960–61 financial year, the newly-formed government bus operator, the Metropolitan Transport Trust, took over operations from the Western Australian Government Tramways and Ferries. Bus-ferry transfers were introduced in 1964–65, which allowed transfers between the two modes with no additional cost to the passenger, resulting in an increase in ferry patronage.[2] The MTT adopted Transperth as its trading name on 31 August 1986, resulting in a new livery for the ferries.[2]

In September 1993, Transport Minister Eric Charlton announced plans to privatise the operation of Transperth bus and ferry services, following a recommendation given by a report written by the Commission to Review Public Sector Finances.[3] The contract was awarded to Captain Cook Cruises, who beat five other tenderers, in November 1994.[4] The contracted services began on 5 February 1995.[5] Ferry services to Coode Street Jetty recommenced upon Captain Cook Cruises taking over operations.[1]

A privately owned and operated ferry service from Applecross to the University of Western Australia (UWA) commenced in February 1994, with 22 trips per day. The service was funded by UWA and used the MV Duchess II.[6]

The one hundredth year anniversary of the Barrack Street to Mends Street ferry service was celebrated in December 1998.[7]

The Coode Street Jetty closed to Transperth services on 1 May 2005 due to low patronage, with peak headways between Barrack Street and Mends Street increasing from 20 minutes to 10 or 12 minutes.[1][8]

Night time services were introduced in December 2012.[9][10]

The Elizabeth Quay Jetty opened on 31 January 2016, replacing the Barrack Street Jetty. This came two days after the opening of Elizabeth Quay and made for a more convenient transfer to Elizabeth Quay railway station and Elizabeth Quay bus station.[11]

Expansion proposals

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Between 1997 and 2016, there were seven reports commissioned to examine the feasibility of expanding the ferry network, each finding it not feasible. An eighth report was released in 2019, which said that an expanded ferry network was becoming more feasible with the increasing waterfront density in Perth, including developments such as Elizabeth Quay and Perth Stadium.[12]

[1] [2] [3] [4]

In February 2024, Premier Roger Cook revealed the state government was working on a business case for the expansion of the ferry system. He described the plans as "Metronet on the Swan", referencing the ongoing expansion of Perth's rail system under Metronet. This came after January 2024 was the busiest month on the ferry system ever, with nearly 110,000 boardings.[13][14]

The May 2024 state budget allocated $2 million to investigate the feasibility of expanding the ferry system.[15][16]

In August 2024, the state government called for expressions of interest from local industry to design a new fleet of ferries for the expansion. The parameters given were for vessels up to 25 metres (82 ft) long with a minimum of 130 seats, including 40 to 50 outside seats, toilets for passengers, bike storage, and an option for electric vessels.[17][18] Transperth Minister Rita Saffioti said that a route from Applecross to UWA could open as soon as the end of 2025.[19]

Jetties

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List of jetties
Jetty Image Opened Closed Transfers
Barrack Street   30 January 2016
Coode Street   1 May 2005
Elizabeth Quay   31 January 2016 — Elizabeth Quay railway station
Elizabeth Quay bus station
Mends Street   — Perth Zoo

Fleet

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List of ferries
Ferry Image Entered service Exited service
MV Perth  
MV Countess II  
MV Princess II
MV Georgette
MV Shelley Taylor-Smith   18 August 1997[20] —
MV Phillip Pendal   3 May 2009[21] —
MV Tricia   20 December 2019 —

[5]

MV Shelley Taylor-Smith was built by SBF Shipbuilders in South Coogee. Named after long distance swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, it entered service on 18 August 1997 to replace the MV Princess II.[22][20]

MV Phillip Pendal entered service on 3 May 2009, replacing the MV Countess II. It was named after former South Perth MP Phillip Pendal and built by SBF Shipbuilders for $1.45 million.[23][21][24]

The contract for MV Tricia was awarded to Dongara Marine in December 2018. The ferry was built at the company's Port Denison shipyard for $2.6 million.[25][26][27] The name of the ferry, after Tricia, an elephant at Perth Zoo, was revealed in November 2019.[28] MV Tricia entered passenger service on 20 December 2019, allowing the MV Shelley Taylor-Smith to become a reserve vessell.[29]

Ticketing

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Further information: Transperth § Ticketing

Patronage

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Transperth ferry patronage
FYPatronage±% p.a.
2004 465,064—    
2005 460,367−1.01%
2006 502,427+9.14%
2007 545,357+8.54%
2008 463,673−14.98%
2009 483,763+4.33%
2010 464,125−4.06%
2011 471,338+1.55%
2012 473,728+0.51%
2013 464,542−1.94%
2014 434,914−6.38%
FYPatronage±% p.a.
2015 394,317−9.33%
2016 596,924+51.38%
2017 747,881+25.29%
2018 705,657−5.65%
2019 648,014−8.17%
2020 561,305−13.38%
2021 557,656−0.65%
2022 532,382−4.53%
2023 702,055+31.87%
2024 871,290+24.11%
Source: PTA[30]

The opening of Elizabeth Quay in January 2016 resulted in a large increase in ferry patronage.[31][32][33]

In 2023–24, the ferries reached a record high of 871,290 boardings.[34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c City of South Perth (8 January 1997). "Coode Street Jetty". inHerit. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b MetroBus (1998), MetroBus Annual Report 1997–1998, pp. 41–68
  3. ^ "Restructuring plan for Transperth". Media Statements. 14 September 1993. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  4. ^ "South Perth ferry service to be operated privately". Media Statements. 22 November 1994. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  5. ^ "South Perth ferry service taken over by private company". Media Statements. 5 February 1995. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Launch of ferry service across Swan River". Media Statements. 24 February 1994. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Special river crossing to commemorate 100 yrs of Swan River ferry service". Media Statements. 23 December 1998. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Greater frequency for Mends Street ferry service during peak periods". Media Statements. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Summer trial of late night ferries". Media Statements. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  10. ^ Orr, Aleisha (4 December 2012). "More ferry services for Perth". WAtoday. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Elizabeth Quay ferry services welcome first rush-hour commuters". ABC News. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  12. ^ McNeill, Heather; Hastie, Hamish (23 August 2023). "Buried report reveals Perth infill ready for ferry expansion". WAtoday. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  13. ^ McNeill, Heather (28 February 2024). "'Metronet on the Swan': Perth's river ferry network tipped to expand". WAtoday. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  14. ^ Caporn, Dylan (28 February 2024). "Perth ferry network to expand, Premier Roger Cook announces". The West Australian. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  15. ^ "State Budget delivers for job-creating transport infrastructure". Media Statements. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  16. ^ Budihardjo, Nadia (22 April 2024). "Funding boost for jetty, ferry services". Business News. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Government calls on WA industry to design Perth's newest ferries". Media Statements. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  18. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (25 August 2024). "WA Premier Roger Cook's vision of Swan River ferry fleet gains speed as Government puts ships to tender". The West Australian. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  19. ^ Hiatt, Bethany (28 August 2024). "Transport Minister Rita Saffioti predicts passengers will ride ferries to Applecross and UWA within 16 months". PerthNow. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "New Perth ferry to be named after Shelley Taylor-Smith". Media Statements. 18 August 1997. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  21. ^ a b "New ferry named after popular former South Perth MP". Media Statements. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Contract awarded for new Transperth ferry". Media Statements. 12 February 1997. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Public invited to name new Swan River ferry". Media Statements. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  24. ^ "New ferry named in honour of late politician". ABC News. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  25. ^ Hastie, Hamish (22 December 2018). "Ferry good: Regional boat builder gets Transperth catamaran contract". WAtoday. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  26. ^ Acott, Kent (23 December 2018). "New $2.6m Perth ferry to be built in WA". The West Australian. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  27. ^ "WA boatbuilder to deliver new Transperth ferry". Media Statements. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  28. ^ "The name of Perth's new locally-built ferry revealed". Media Statements. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  29. ^ "MV Tricia launch celebrated with special Swan River journey". Media Statements. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Transport performance". Public Transport Authority. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  31. ^ "Elizabeth Quay: More ferries on Perth's Swan River considered". WAtoday. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  32. ^ Kelly, Joel (19 July 2016). "Public Transport Authority figures show Transperth patronage at five year low". PerthNow. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Annual Report 2015–2016" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. p. 24. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Records tumble as public transport patronage surges". Media Statements. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.

Category:Ferry transport in Perth, Western Australia Category:History of Perth, Western Australia

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