‘Cancellations, collisions and soaring prices’ – this is privatisation
The first year is done and the results are in – privatised ferries have been a disaster, with more cancellations, collisions and soaring prices.
A recent Sydney Morning Herald report has revealed that since Harbour City Ferries took over a year ago:
- Ferry cancellations rose 25 per cent and by 50 per cent when bad weather was excluded
- Manly cancellations adjusting for bad weather have leapt 73 per cent
- There have been five ferry collisions in the past year – there were none in 2011-12
- Customer complaints have risen across the ferry service, from 3.3 per cent to 4.2 per cent.
- Cancellations across the service rose from 495 to 621
- Manly cancellations doubled to 229. Manly also had 176 fewer services in the year
- Fares for all ferry passengers will rise by at least 25 per cent from September. Manly commuters face a 39 per cent price rise from September, with weekly tickets costing an extra $884 a year
The report also stated: “Sydney Ferries was barred from tendering for the $800 million, seven-year ferry contract, yet it appears the government services were more reliable than private contractor Veolia Transdev.”
The next question is: why is the O’Farrell Government going down this road to privatise our other public transport, like buses?