Media release - Private ferries fares for 2018 - June 2017

Private ferry fares under review

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is calling for public submissions on how best to set fares for seven regular private ferry services in Sydney, the Central Coast and NSW North Coast.

This is the first time IPART is setting maximum fares for four years, with the new fares to apply from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. Previously, fares have been recommended for one year only.

The private ferry services covered by the review are:

• Brooklyn Ferry Services – Brooklyn to Dangar Island
• Central Coast Ferries – Woy Woy to Empire Bay
• Church Point Ferry Service – Scotland Island and western foreshore of Pittwater
• Clarence River Ferries – Iluka to Yamba
• Cronulla and National Park Ferry Service – Cronulla to Bundeena
• Matilda Cruises – Circular Quay to Darling Harbour, and Circular Quay to Lane Cove
• Palm Beach Ferries – Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach and the Basin, and Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe.

IPART Chair Dr Peter Boxall said this year IPART provided all ferry operators with an opportunity to propose fares, and it has received pricing proposals from all operators except for Clarence River Ferries. Table 1 presents the ferry operators’ fare proposals.

“We are seeking feedback from all stakeholders, including passengers who use these services, on the ferry operators’ proposed fares and on our approach to determine fares,” Dr Boxall said.

Details about the approach to determine fares are included in the Issues Paper released today: Review of maximum fares for private ferry services from 2018. IPART is inviting public comment about the proposed approach before 10 August 2017.

The Issues Paper is available on IPART’s website.

Table 1 Ferry operators’ proposed maximum fares from January 2018 to December 2021 ($nominal, including GST)

a Brooklyn Ferry Service did not provide a fare proposal for 2021.

Source: Ferry operators’ pricing proposals.