Hobart’s Derwent ferries won’t be running on Saturday, leaving tens of thousands of people to find other ways across the river for ANZAC Day commemorations and the Tasmania Devils VFL match in Bellerive.
Derwent Ferries confirmed on its website there would be no service on Saturday April 25, because it falls on a public holiday.
The shutdown comes on a day when huge crowds are expected on both sides of the Derwent.
Thousands are expected to gather at Queen’s Domain for the dawn service, with thousands more attending ANZAC Day commemorations across the city.
On Saturday night, the Tasmania Devils take on Carlton in their VFL clash at Ninja Stadium.
The club is expecting at least 12,000 spectators.
Sport Minister Nick Duigan said a free bus service would help fill the gap for football fans.
“My understanding is that obviously Saturday’s a public holiday and the ferries don’t run on public holidays, but it’s been the preference of the Devils, the Tasmanian Football Club, for buses to be supported,” he said.
“Obviously those buses are free … which makes them very attractive.”
“There’ll be a bus leaving Brooke Street Pier every 15 minutes going across the river and 15 minutes coming back, so I think we’ve landed on a pretty good system for getting people to and from the game.”
The free buses will depart from Brooke Street Pier every 15 minutes after 5pm.
