SeaLink Sydney Harbour has successfully won a 15-year extension of the Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) Lane Cove ferry service. SeaLink has run the Lane Cove ferry service for 17 years under the Captain Cook Cruises brand providing important public transport access for Lane Cove River residents and school children.
Running up to 12 services a day Monday to Friday during peak commute times, the service connects passengers along Lane Cove River to Balmain, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Milsons Point and Kirribilli Wharf. The new contract sees an additional run added to the morning departures to provide commuters with more options during peak travel times.
Nick Lester, General Manager for SeaLink Sydney Harbour said “SeaLink is pleased to continue working with Transport for New South Wales to provide this important transport service for North Sydney commuters.”
SeaLink’s passenger messaging system will integrate with TfNSW’s system and further integrate the Opal payment mechanism improving the overall passenger experience.
“We pride ourselves on providing a brilliant customer experience to our guests onboard all our vessels and with the additional morning departure added to the timetable and the further integration with the State Government’s Opal pay system will ensure travelling with us will be an even smoother and more convenient experience,” Mr Lester said.
The new contract with the New South Wales State Government also provides an option to move to low emissions technology during the term, which may include the construction of an electric powered ferry capable of operating the service in battery mode.
SeaLink Marine & Tourism Chief Operating Officer, Donna Gauci, said “As Australia’s largest marine transport and tourism provider, SeaLink is genuinely committed to investing in more sustainable marine transport solutions to benefit the environment and communities we operate in around the country.”
SeaLink Marine & Tourism is part of the Kelsian Group which is a leader in sustainable public transport and operator of Australia’s largest zero emission bus fleet and Australia’s largest electrified bus depot.
“We are working with governments and clients around Australia to pursue the design and construction of low and green emission vessels including hydrogen and electric and look forward to working with Transport for New South Wales on more sustainable marine transport solutions for Sydney commuters,” she said.
The new contract for the Lane Cove ferry service commenced on the 1 January 2023.
Through its Captain Cook brand, SeaLink Sydney Harbour also provides ferry services to and from Manly, Watson Bay, Taronga Zoo, Shark Island, Clifton Gardens, and Circular Quay, as well as Harbour dining and sightseeing cruises.
For more information on the Lane Cove ferry service visit our Captain Cook Cruises website.