By Luke Voogt
A local community group has urged residents to climb aboard a free trial of a Geelong-Melbourne ferry in July.
A successful trial would give the city a “very important” travel alternative, according to Geelong Connected Communities executive Pat Murnane.
“We think it’s terrific for Geelong,” he said.
“We’ve been a car-dependent city in the past and transport options are something Geelong really needs to explore into the future.”
The non-profit group joined several local businesses, government bodies and community organisations pledging support as partners of the trial this week.
Mr Murnane declined to state the amount his organisation would contribute to the trial.
But Geelong Connected Communities would disclose the amount at a later date for “transparency“, he said.
“Our involvement is to provide the option for the community.”
Mr Murnane, also a Geelong councillor, encouraged residents to see if the service worked for them.
“It would be fantastic for people to actually experience what the trial will offer,” he said.
“Just be adventurous, go on the trial and see if it fits your lifestyle.”
The trials would help determine the future of permanent high-speed ferry services, said Committee for Geelong chief Rebecca Casson.
“The Committee for Geelong is very pleased to have signed this agreement with Port Phillip Ferries,” she said.
“We believe (that) Geelong commuters will definitely welcome and embrace this new way of travelling to work.”
Ms Casson said the committee funded the trial but she declined to reveal the cost because of “commercial in confidence” issues.
She also declined to detail individual partners’ contributions but said they would include promotion, financial support and encouraging employees to use the service.
Port Phillip Ferries will run the two trial services from central Geelong to Docklands in late July.
The ferry had free Wi-Fi, chargers, small meeting tables and refreshments on board, Ms Casson said.
Port Phillip Ferries chief executive officer Murray Rance welcomed support for the trial.
“Port Phillip Ferries look forward to creating opportunities not only for daily commuters, but also the leisure and business markets,” he said.
“We are confident we can add value to people’s lives via this service, as we have already witnessed within the Bellarine Peninsula community.”
Passengers could book a free ticket for the trial at Port Phillip Ferries’ website in coming weeks, the company announced.
The company will collect a gold coin donation from passengers to go to a local charity.
The trip from Geelong to Docklands took about one hour and 40 minutes, a company spokesperson said.
