Bruny Island residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief after weeks of ferry chaos that saw simple trips to the state’s mainland blow out into sometimes four-hour ordeals.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz has confirmed weekday afternoon ferry services have been reinstated following talks with operator SeaLink and island residents who were fed up with the nightmare wait times.
The changes take effect from today, bringing back evening departures that had been axed from the previous winter timetable.
The new timetable adds sailings from Roberts Point at 3:10pm, 5pm, 5:20pm, 6pm and 6:40pm, along with additional 2:50pm and 4:40pm departures from Kettering.
It closes the nearly hour-long gap between the 4:40pm and 5:30pm ferries that left many islanders stuck waiting in May.
“The community told us that the congestion caused by the earlier changes was not sustainable and as a regular of Bruny Island, I agree,” Abetz said.
The ferry woes began in early May when SeaLink rolled out a revised winter timetable, cutting several daily services and creating peak-hour gridlock.
Parents were among the hardest hit. One local last month said a simple trip to Snug for footy training had blown out into a gruelling four-hour return.
Minister Abetz said a roundtable meeting on May 26 brought together community reps, SeaLink and the Transport Commissioner to sort out a fix.
“I’m pleased that the Transport Commissioner has considered both travel data and lived experiences and has brought back these vital services,” he said.
Passenger numbers will be tracked throughout the winter timetable, which runs until September 28.
