New Tauranga ferry service proves popular

The new ferry service will be launched on Wednesday. Supplied photos.

Tauranga people will have a new way to travel from next Wednesday with the launch of the Wednesday Challenge Ferry, operating between Omokoroa, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Project Director, Heidi Hughes, says the ferry service is about providing people with another alternative means of travel.

'The Wednesday Challenge is all about encouraging people to reduce the number of times they travel in their car by themselves, opting instead to catch a bus, bike, walk, run or carpool. We wanted to introduce a trial ferry service to add to the mix and it's pleasing to see the response is already very good. Some sailings are already filling up.”

The ferry service will run each Wednesday from September 28 to November 2 between Omokoroa and Tauranga and Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

'If you live in Omokoroa but work in Tauranga this is a great way to commute to and from work and avoid the traffic congestion,” explains Heidi.

'As well as a 7am ferry from Omokoroa there's also sailings at 11.30am and 2.30pm with convenient return times, making the later sailing times ideal for people wanting to come into the city for meetings, lunch or social engagements.”

The ferry service will also be operating between the Tauranga CBD and Salisbury Wharf at Mount Maunganui with several sailings each way throughout the day.

'Being able to take a ferry from Tauranga to the Mount for a meeting, a social engagement, a walk around or up Mauao or to enjoy some shopping means people can avoid the traffic and road rage that goes with it,” says Heidi.

'With school holidays coming up it makes for a great outing for the family and a different and fun way to travel.”

Early bird tickets are on sale with $15 return fares between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui for adults and $5 for children and $20 return fares between Omokoroa and Tauranga or Mount Maunganui and $15 for children. Passengers can also book to take their bikes on the ferry.

The service is being delivered in partnership with Tauranga Water Transport and Tourism Bay of Plenty and is the latest offering from the Wednesday Challenge. In June this year they launched the Liftango Carpooling APP, allowing registered businesses to sign up their teams so they can carpool to and from work.

'The challenge is an invitation for Tauranga to roll up our sleeves and begin the work we need to do now to solve our own carbon emission issues, while at the same time, resolving some of the issues we have around congestion and safety on our streets,” says Heidi.

'If Tauranga decides to change the way they travel just one day a week, we will be well on the road to addressing one of the biggest challenges of our time. Together we can achieve more than just a token nod to the future of our city, and the fortunes of the generations following behind us.”

The Wednesday Challenge is led by Envirohub Bay of Plenty with funding from Waka Kotahi, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council.

For more info go to www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz

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8 comments

2022

Posted on 24-09-2022 14:15 | By HMG1

About time!!


I Really hope...

Posted on 24-09-2022 15:02 | By morepork

... this takes off. I remember with affection the previous ferry service between Coronation Pier and Salisbury wharf. But it had to stop because, outside of Summer, it was simply non-viable. Maybe, with more efficient modern boats and more tailored schedules, this service will do better.


Is the Regional Council interfering yet again?

Posted on 24-09-2022 15:34 | By TheCameltoeKid

I remember a couple of years ago that the owner of the Matakana Ferry pitched this very idea to the Council and was turned down for funding and now we has that same Council approval to a different operator. Sounds dodgy to me!


Fabulous!!!

Posted on 24-09-2022 19:39 | By Bruja

Long long overdue! I so hope people use the ferry....especially commuters. Come on folks, let's back this!!!


So good

Posted on 24-09-2022 21:31 | By Informed

Long overdue. Plus how could this have been approved by the same council… when as the boomers keep complaining about the old council was replaced by commissioners that actually know what they are doing.


@ Bruja + morepork

Posted on 24-09-2022 22:28 | By Yadick

Totally agree with both of you. This is great news indeed. Let's hope people get on board (no pun intended). Definitely I will use it. Loooong overdue. Congratulations to the business and I wish you every possible success.


Great Idea

Posted on 25-09-2022 13:58 | By oceans

Lets hope they don't get too many cancellations because of rough weather. The boat seems rather small.


ferry

Posted on 26-09-2022 12:33 | By dumbkof2

can i get a wheelchair on this boat


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