By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Portarlington is the logical choice for an extension of the bay’s first commuter ferry trial, according to Port Phillip Ferries chairman Paul Little.
But any trial from the Bellarine Peninsula has to await the completion of Portarlington’s safe harbour project, scheduled for February.
The Wyndham-to-Docklands ferry begins an eight-week trial on Monday, with return tickets at an introductory price of $20.
The 75-minute trip will be aboard a 400 seat, 35-metre catamaran will include wi-fi capabilities and an on-board cafe.
It will run one weekday morning and evening service from Wyndham, departing 6.40am and leaving the Docklands terminal at 5.40pm, with free parking at Wyndham.
Bellarine Ferry Project chairman John Rae said the service would already be attractive to Geelong commuters wrestling with the traffic jams approaching Westgate.
“I’m sure Geelong commuters will use it. If it was me I’d try it and see how it works,” Mr Rae said.
“You sail along until you hit Werribee and that’s when the trouble starts, so switching to the ferry cuts out the problem.”
Mr Little said more work needed to be done to allow ferries to berth at Portarlington.
“We’d be very happy to run the ferries out of Portarlington if the demand was there,” he said.
Mr Rae and fellow ferry group proponent Geoff Henderson joined a preview ride on the new service this week.
“It was fabulous. When we are clear of the speed restrictions we went up to 25 knots and even though it was a bad day you could not feel a thing,” Mr Rae said.
“It was blustery and choppy but it was fine in the seating area. It is a lovely way to go to the office.
“We were delighted with the trial we had and we will go down and hop on and go to work with the other commuters from Wyndham during the trial period.”
Mr Rae said he was envious of Wyndham having a ferry service now available but looked forward to a Portarlington trial beginning.
“Work on the new concrete finger pier starts next month and it will contain the ferry berth, so things are progressing.”
Port Phillip Ferries will hold open days on 13 and 14 May at Victor Harbour in Docklands at which visitors will be able to take a tour of the ferry while enjoying food and entertainment.
