“ARC Pleased With Gulf Harbour Ferry Fare Resolution”

December 18, 2000

The Auckland Regional Council is delighted that a reported increase in the fare price of Fullers’ Gulf harbour ferry service will not go ahead.

It was reported earlier in the week that the price of a 40 ride concession ticket on the Gulf Harbour to Downtown Auckland route would increase from January 15. However, following discussions between the ARC and Fullers it has been agreed to keep the concession fare at the current price of $220.

“We are very pleased that the ARC and Fullers have reached agreement on this and that Fullers will retain the fare as an act of good faith for the next two months,” ARC Rodney constituency councillor Brian Smith says.

“It means we can now get on with the business of promoting the service and trying to secure its long term future.”

Cr Smith paid tribute to the ferry users group for the effort it has already put into encouraging others in the Whangaparaoa area to use the ferry.

“There’s no doubt the long term viability of the service is very much dependent on more passengers using it and the users group have realised this and are going out of their way to make it happen. I congratulate them,” he says.

“In recognition of this we will be working together with Fullers and the users group to find ways of increasing patronage.”

ARC Transport committee chairman Les Paterson says he is very keen to see this initiative succeed so the Gulf Harbour service can remain part of the integrated transport mix for the Whangaparaoa area and the Auckland region.

“The regional council wants to play an active part in that and we have done so already by increasing our subsidy from $8.00 per passenger to $11.50,” he says.

That increased subsidy and the agreed Fullers fares apply to the two months from January 15, during which time Fullers will be operating the service under an emergency contract put in place to allow time for a tender process for the long term operation of a ferry service between Gulf Harbour and Downtown Auckland.

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For further information please contact:

Cr Brian Smith
ARC Rodney Constituency Councillor
Phone (09) 426-4215
Mobile 021 961 557

Or

Cr Les Paterson
Chairman, ARC Transport Committee
Phone 366-2000 ext 8555
Home 535-8828

Or

Simon Roche
ARC Communications
Phone 366-2000 ext 8100
Mobile 021 65 380

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