Support for ferry services

Increased sailings, more convenient times and weekend services are major items on the wish list of West Auckland residents, according to a new survey.

More than 400 Hobsonville Point residents took part in a survey about their ferry service, conducted by the Hobsonville Point Residents Society in June.

Around 35 per cent said they used the ferry service. More than half of those who didn’t cited inconvenient sailing times as the reason.

Hobsonville Point Residents Society chairman Peter Herbert said the survey was evidence people wanted increased ferry services, especially during the day.

‘‘We talk about the roads being blocked and extra-charging on motorways... yet we’ve got a free highway down the harbour - why not use it?’’

He said also for the older population at the Point, the current sailings started too early and finished too late to make trips to town during the day.

There are currently only two morning and three afternoon sailings from Hobsonville Point, finishing at 8am and 6.15pm. The survey found demand for more sailings between 9am-10am and 7pm-8pm, later in the evening and on weekends.

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said both the Hobsonville Point and West Harbour service will be reviewed in the coming months.

In the short term, AT is working with the Hobsonville Point operator to provide more ferries at peak times.

Hannan said AT needed to ensure there was ‘‘demonstrated demand’’ for new services, as around 50 per cent of the cost of each journey on public transport is subsidised by the taxpayer.

AT is also currently evaluating responses received as part of the ferry tender process, and discussions will begin in the next two months.

Albany ward councillor John Watson said with the population growth in the area, there was a strategic argument for fast-tracking increased services rather than taking an incremental approach.

When more ferries are put on, people use them, he said.