Hobsonville Point ferry

Amy Baker Reporter from North Harbour News

Albany ward councillor John Watson thinks ferries have been treated very much as the poor cousin in comparison to bus and train services.

Watson is urging people to submit on the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP), currently out for public consultation until Friday December 14.

The plan sets out changes to Auckland's public transport system.

Councillor Watson is particularly interested in what is planned for future ferry services.

"The North Shore and Albany Wards have more ferry services than any other part of Auckland. Ferries go to Devonport, Gulf Harbour, Birkenhead, Hobsonville, West Harbour, Stanley Bay and Bayswater.

Part of that is just down to the patronage numbers (over the last ten years, overall public transport patronage has grown from 55 million boardings (43.7m bus; 6.8m train; 4.4m ferry) to around 92m total (66m bus, 20m train, 6m ferry). Over the last three years, annual public transport boardings have increased by around 13 million, or 17%).

"The big numbers are in bus and train but I have absolutely no doubt that ferry numbers would increase even more sharply if there were more sailings put on.

"There's been a lot of interest this year in Gulf Harbour, Hobsonville, Westpark and Beachhaven in increasing the number of trips in the day and weekend services but progress here has not been as fast as it should be.

"While the priorities identified are encouraging I'm very wary of the disclaimer 'subject to funding availability' and the loose timeline," Watson said.

"I would urge people to request the sort of frequency in service they want and to ask for certainty of funding as should be the priority for a major seaside city like Auckland. There needs to be more urgency in delivery."

Visit at.govt.nz... to make a submission.