Draft fares released for Pittwater Ferry Services
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is calling for public submissions on its draft fare determination for ferries servicing Palm Beach, Church Point, Scotland Island, the Basin, Mackerel Beach and other the western foreshore of Pittwater.
Church Point Ferry Service provides ferry services between Church Point, Scotland Island and the western foreshore of Pittwater, and Palm Beach Ferries provides ferry services between Palm Beach and Mackerel Beach and the Basin. The current maximum fares on these routes are $8.30 and $8.10, respectively.
Under the draft decision, which would apply from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021, fares for
- the Church Point Ferry Service would be:
- $8.70 from January 2018
- $9.00 from January 2019
- $9.40 from January 2020
- $9.70 from January 2021, and
- the Palm Beach Ferries service would not change.
IPART Chair Dr Peter Boxall said that the draft decision on fares varies due to different 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.
The review of ferry fares on Pittwater is part of a broader review of fares for regular private ferry services across NSW. IPART determines fares for Sydney and Stockton Ferry services as part of Opal fares review.
Submissions to the Draft Report close on 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.