A ferry between Geelong and Docklands would need “at least 130 passengers” daily to be viable, according a community group supporting a similar service on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Portarlington Ferry and Safe Harbour Group gave the figure ahead of a two-day trial of a Geelong commuter service late next month.
The Indy reported last month that commuters would travel free after Geelong businesses agreed to financially support the trial.
The Port Phillip Ferries trips would target commuters presently travelling to Melbourne by car or train, the Portarlington group said.
“It is believed that to be viable a long-term ferry service would have to attract at least 130 passengers per day.
“The target market would be the estimated 17,000 Geelong commuters who currently travel to Melbourne each day. With a trip time of 100 minutes, it remains to be seen (whether) a regular ferry service … while being 30 to 40 minutes longer, is more attractive than sitting in a car on a gridlock(ed) highway or travelling to Melbourne via a V/Line packed train.”
Port Phillip Ferries’ Connie Trathen said patronage of the company’s Portarlington service was up “on all fronts” after the first two years of operations.
“Commuter numbers have increased, and although they are not the fastest-growing sector, they are the most loyal users of the ferry and do a wonderful job spreading the word to (potential) new customers.
Seniors group were a “large part” of the ferry’s weekday patronage but trip packages involving hospitality businesses on the Bellarine Peninsula were the “most effective”, Ms Trathen said.
“People are really drawn to having an entire experience mapped out for them, with a one-stop shop.”
