Media Release - Draft fares released for NSW private ferries - 15 September 2017

Draft fares released for NSW private ferries

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is calling for public submissions on its draft fare determination for seven regular private ferry services in Sydney, the Central Coast and NSW North Coast.

The proposed new maximum fares, which would apply from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021, include:

• Increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) only for Central Coast Ferries and Matilda Cruise services in Sydney Harbour
• A fare increase of 30 to 40 cents (including CPI) each year for the Brooklyn Ferry Service, Church Point Ferry Service and Clarence River Ferries, and
• No change to fares for the Cronulla and National Park Ferry Service and Palm Beach Ferry Service.

IPART Chair Dr Peter Boxall said that the draft decision on fares varies due to different levels of competition and the costs involved in providing the services on each of the ferry routes.

“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.

“So where increased costs can be justified, we have accepted the operators’ proposals, but have frozen fares in those cases where proposed fares exceed reasonable efficient costs.”

Feedback from passengers using these services, the ferry operators and others in the local communities is being sought until 27 October, with an opportunity for further comments at a public hearing to be held on 23 October.

All stakeholder comments will be taken into consideration before making the final determination in December.

The Draft Report is available on IPART’s website.

Draft determination on maximum fares for private ferry services ($ including GST and inflation)