August 31, 2004

Beach Haven ferry service to cease

North Shore City Council has expressed its disappointment at the loss of the Beach Haven ferry service, and called for more regional support for such services in future.

Operators Yellow Water Taxis announced today the service between Beach Haven and the Auckland CBD, which began in December 2003, would cease from August 31.

"The council is saddened to see the service, which had the loyal support of a small group of commuters, is being wound up," North Shore City Council works and environment committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, says.

"It was the first new upper harbour ferry service for a number of years, using a brand new, purpose-built vessel," he says.

"The service was unsubsidised by the Auckland Regional Council, and this outcome shows how difficult it is for new public transport operators to establish themselves in this environment.

"We are calling on the ARC, as the body responsible for implementing new passenger transport initiatives, to provide more support for start-up ferry services in the future, to ensure this does not happen again."

North Shore City Council has strongly supported the service since its inception, and began a project this week to upgrade lighting at the Beach Haven wharf.

The council's plan to upgrade the wharf with a new pontoon to make it suitable for a variety of vessels will go ahead as planned. North Shore City and Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL) have lodged a resource consent application with the ARC for this project.

Joel Cayford said it was hoped another operator would step in to take up the route.

"North Shore City Council is strongly supportive of initiatives to develop our upper harbour highway as an alternative transport route," he says.

ENDS

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