Commuters impacted by the reduction in east Auckland ferry services may soon be able to take advantage of another public transport option.
As the Times recently reported, Half Moon Bay’s ferry routes are being reduced.
From Sunday, October 1, there will be changes to Auckland Transport’s (AT) ferry services and timetables to allow for Fullers360 to start an accelerated crew training programme.
Reduced timetables will be put in place for the Half Moon Bay and Gulf Harbour routes while ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa Northcote Point, and Bayswater will no longer be operated by Fullers360.
Weekend services to Half Moon Bay will be suspended.
AT executive general manager public transport services Stacey van der Putten says the agency is committed to providing supporting services for the affected ferry services.
“Our teams are exploring options for additional bus services to complement the existing bus routes serving customers travelling from Birkenhead, Te Onewa Northcote Point, and Bayswater, as well as customers travelling off-peak from Gulf Harbour and Half Moon Bay.”
On August 21 Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown wrote to van der Putten about the change.
He told her he understood AT and Fullers360 have reduced their Half Moon Bay ferry services to accommodate a training programme seeking to increase qualified maritime crew to run the ferry network.
“Existing bus services have been offered as an alternative mode of travel for ferry users.
“Please can you advise if Auckland Transport is considering a direct bus service from Half Moon Bay to Panmure?
“This is something that has been advocated for many years and would assist through this period of ferry unreliability.”
Van der Putten replied to Brown’s letter eight days later, on August 29, to say she was pleased to confirm AT is considering direct bus services from Half Moon Bay to Panmure while ferry services are reduced.
The agency’s intent is to have three direct services between 10am and 2pm on weekdays and six direct bus services on Saturday and Sunday.
“Ferry services from Half Moon Bay will be reduced to peak travel from October 1, which will mean ferry services continue to operate before 10am and between 2pm to 8pm on weekdays only,” van der Putten told Brown.
“Approximately three quarters of Half Moon Bay ferry passengers travel in these hours, and they will be able to continue to travel by ferry.
“For customers who need to travel outside of peak hours we’re working to provide a direct link to the interchange at Panmure.”
Van der Putten said at Panmure customers can connect to the frequent bus network and rail replacement services during KiwiRail’s ‘rail network rebuild programme’, then direct to rapid train services from late January.
