By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
A NEW ferry service connecting Portarlington to Melbourne will carry its first passengers in a trial run on Friday 29 July.
The Bellarine Ferry Group revealed the date of the new ferry route trial run in an email to members and local stakeholders on Saturday 16 July.
The email celebrated the announcement of the passenger trial, saying it has taken nine years to get to this point, and urged the communities of the Bellarine Peninsular to support it.
The ferry service will transport passengers from Portarlington to Docklands and back after a successful “safety and speed trial” conducted last month.
Port Phillip Ferries will run the Portarlington-Docklands trail on the back of the success of the Wyndham-Docklands ferry launched in May.
It has not been made clear as of Monday 18 July how the ticketing or booking systems will work for this trial, though updates are expected in the coming days.
The adult return fare for the trial trip to Docklands and back will be $25, according to the email received from The Bellarine Ferry Group.
The Indy reported last week that members of the Bellarine Ferry Group had been involved in the “speed and safety” trials conducted with the ferry.
Geoff Henderson and John Rae said the ferry was a very comfortable and pleasant ride despite the windy conditions of the trail day.
The ongoing development of a “safe harbour” at Portarlington will include berthing facilities and access for a ferry such as this for ongoing future use.
Both The Bellarine Ferry Group and Port Phillip Ferries were contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.
