Parramatta Council calls for extra ferry services

Parramatta City Council says extended operating hours and express services are needed to reinvigorate ferry transport to and from Parramatta.

Council will write to Minister for Transport Andrew Constance requesting an increase in operating hours and evening service frequency in both directions between Parramatta and Circular Quay Ferry Terminals.

Services from Parramatta to Circular Quay currently finish at 6.55pm on weekdays and 7.38pm on weekends, while services from Circular Quay to Parramatta stop at 6.25pm on weekdays and 6.07pm on weekends.

“The frequency and operating hours of the current ferry service are not sufficient for it to be a viable alternative for people wanting to travel by ferry for work or to visit,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd said. 

Council wants ferry services to be extended to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and to midnight from Thursday to Saturday with express services to and from Parramatta Ferry Terminal.

Options will also be explored to engage private charter companies and investigate the use of smaller vessels to overcome access issues at low tide and reduce the wash impact on the foreshore.

“Extended operating hours, more frequent services and express services would lead to more workers and visitors utilising the service. It would promote trade and tourism in the City and would mean that people could hop on a ferry and enjoy a scenic trip to Parramatta for dinner in Eat Street, see a show at Riverside Theatres and then enjoy a relaxed ferry trip back,” Cr Lloyd said. 

“The existing services limit patrons’ ability to use the ferry as a form of transport from Parramatta to the City or from the City to Parramatta. Comparative ferry services from Circular Quay to Sydney Olympic Park finish around midnight both on weekdays and weekends.

“Our Council has great plans for the Parramatta River, and the ferry brings people directly to the foreshore and moments from the central CBD, restaurants and the theatre precinct. We are looking forward to working with the State Government on a new River Quay and Ferry Terminal and what better way to make use of these upgrades than to have more frequent and extended ferry services.”