11 October 2016
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is calling for public submissions on its draft recommendations for maximum fares for private ferries providing regular passenger services under contract to Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
Each year, IPART recommends the maximum fares that can be charged for regular private ferry services across NSW. TfNSW is then responsible for making the final decision on these fares, and operators can choose to set their fare below the maximum fare if they wish. Fares for Sydney Ferries and Stockton ferry service in Newcastle are determined through a separate process.
The Draft Report released today includes IPART’s draft recommendations on maximum fares in 2017 which are:
- Clarence River Ferries increase by 30 cents to $8.30
- Brooklyn Ferries increase by 30 cents to $7.30
- Church Point Ferry Service increase by 30 cents to $8.30
- Palm Beach Ferry Services increase by 30 cents to $11.60 for the Ettalong service and to $8.10 for the Basin service
- Cronulla and National Park Ferry Service do not change ($6.40)
- Central Coast Ferries do not change ($7.80), and
- Matilda Cruises do not change ($7.40 for both the Circular Quay to Darling Harbour and Circular Quay to Lane Cove services).
IPART Chair Dr Peter Boxall said that the draft fare recommendations are based on estimates of each ferry operator’s efficient fare and aim to balance the impacts on ferry operators and their customers. For Matilda Cruises and Central Coast Ferries our draft recommendation is for maximum fares to remain unchanged in 2017, as these are still higher than actual fares in the market.
The Draft Report invites public comment on the draft fare recommendations for 2017 until 8 November 2016. All stakeholder comments will be taken into consideration before making final recommendations to TfNSW in December.
The Draft Report is available on IPART’s website.
Media Contact - Julie Sheather 02 9290 8403 or 0409 514 643