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The Coast has a strong history of ferry usage and this includes a precedent for developers supporting a ferry service. At Manly, land was selling slowly in the 1920s. To aid the sale of their sections the first developers of Manly, Laurie Taylor and Ted Brown, built a wharf at Little Manly. It was an impressive looking structure, pictured, that stretched far into the bay. They also bought a launch called the Star of Manly to bring people up from Auckland. Unfortunately this steamer caught fire after six months and thereafter they had to rely on the vessels of the Northern Steamship Company, which regularly sailed up to Little Manly and Arkles Bay.
A ferry survey recently conducted by Cr John Watson shows that passengers using the increased service from Gulf Harbour are hoping for even more sailings.
Cr Watson conducted his survey at the end of April, and received 101 responses to the survey forms, which were handed to ferry passengers leaving Gulf Harbour.
The responses showed support for a service every 30 minutes at peak times as well as weekend sailings and a late ferry on Fridays.
Commuters commented that parking on the Hammerhead is an issue for later commuters, there is no footpath leading to the terminal, no covered parking for bikes and inadequate lighting.
Cr Watson says his survey indicates that most ferry users come from east of Manly. “Anyone living east of the Plaza and working in the city should be considering the ferry. It’s going to be easily the fastest and most efficient way to get into town, given congestion on Whangaparaoa Rd and the Northern Motorway,” Cr Watson says.
Cr Watson says it’s hoped that additional sailings will be put on as a new ferry contract is negotiated over the next year, moving towards a half hourly frequency at peak times and ultimately to an all-day service.
Improvements to the type of vessels being used could also reduce the travelling time to something like 35 minutes.
AT begins its review of the increased ferry service next month, one year after it began and Fairway Bay developer Top Harbour is running a survey to find out from users and potential users what time they want to catch the ferry.
