Manly Fast Ferry is an Australian ferry operator that services the areas of Botany Bay and Port Jackson.
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.jpg) Ocean Flyer at Circular Quay | |
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Richard Ford Will Ford |
| Headquarters | Sans Souci, , Australia |
Area served | Botany Bay Port Jackson |
| Services | Ferry operator |
| Parent | NRMA |
| Website | My Fast Ferry |
History edit
Since January 1965, the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors had operated high speed hydrofoil and later JetCat services between Circular Quay and Manly.[1]
In December 2008, the New South Wales State Government, decided the Sydney Ferries JetCat service would cease and called for tenders to operate the service on a commercial basis.[2]
Bass & Flinders Cruises trading as Manly Fast Ferry commenced operating the service on 10 February 2009 on an interim basis until March 2010.[3]
On 1 April 2010, Sydney Fast Ferries commenced a five-year franchise to operate the service.[4][5] However Manly Fast Ferry continued to operate services between Circular Quay Wharf 6 and Manly East Pier via Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay.[6][citation needed]
In July 2014, expressions of interest were sought for the next franchise with Bass & Flinders Cruises, SeaLink Travel Group, Sydney Fast Ferries and Transit Systems responding.[7][8][9] In December 2014, the franchise was awarded to Bass & Flinders Cruises.[10][11]
Operations commenced on 1 April 2015 with three existing vessels from Bass & Flinders fleet along with two leased vessels. Four new Incat built vessels were delivered by the end of 2015, two were 24 metres long and two were 33 metres.[12][13][14] In 2017, the company ordered a third 33-metre fast ferry from Incat's Hobart shipyard.[15]
Bass & Flinders also operate an Eco Hopper tourist hop on/hop off service around Sydney Harbour from Darling Harbour to Manly calling at nine locations.[16] but by 2018 this name was no longer used.
In September 2017, Bass & Flinders was renamed Manly Fast Ferry and commenced trading as My Fast Ferry.[17][18]
In December 2017, the business was purchased by the NRMA.[19] In October 2018, Fantasea Cruising was also taken over by the NRMA with 10 ferries and 10 water taxis on Sydney Harbour and Pittwater.[20][21] It continues to trade under its existing brand.
References edit
- ^ Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. Brookvale: JW Books. pp. 53–56. ISBN 0 589071 72 6.
- ^ Calls for Expressions of Interest for Manly Fast Ferry Minister for Transport 9 December 2008
- ^ Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement NSW Ministry of Transport
- ^ Manly High Speed Ferry Service Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 10 August 2009
- ^ Contract Notice Award Detail Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 8 March 2010
- ^ Battle to be the last fast ferry on the harbour Archived 2 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 9 April 2010
- ^ Fast Ferry Service Contract between Circular Quay and Manly Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 17 July 2014
- ^ Opinions of commuters wanted on four fast ferry tenderers Manly Daily 12 November 2014
- ^ Terry Dodd has each way bet on Manly fast ferries tender Archived 21 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 3 December 2014
- ^ Cheaper fares, more services and new vessels for Manly Fast Ferry customers Archived 17 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 13 December 2014
- ^ MFF wins tender Manly Fast Ferry 13 December 2014
- ^ Rough seas in new fast ferry deal involving the two current operators Daily Telegraph 26 March 2015[dead link]
- ^ Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat wins contract to build four Manly fast ferries Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 2 May 2015
- ^ Incat scores multi-million dollar Manly ferry coup Archived 5 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine Hobart Mercury 3 May 2015
- ^ Hull 092 Incat
- ^ Eco Hopper Bass & Flinders
- ^ Manly Fast Ferry ASIC 23 June 2018
- ^ My Fast Ferry ASIC 28 September 2017
- ^ NRMA invests in Manly Fast Ferry Archived 29 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine NRMA 7 December 2017
- ^ NRMA acquires Fantasea Cruising Archived 11 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine NRMA 25 October 2018
- ^ NRMA buys Palm Beach ferry service Archived 19 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Coast Community News 5 November 2018