News: White Bay ferry to stop Circular Quay service

[CruiseCriticAUeditor]

White Bay ferry will no longer depart from Circular Quay. What do you think of the new route?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/news/news.cfm?ID=7272

[By The Bay]

White Bay ferry will no longer depart from Circular Quay. What do you think of the new route?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/news/news.cfm?ID=7272

Not happy.:mad:

 

We had planned to transfer from WB to OPT next April. Not as easy with the new route.

[dillpickle48]

Lucky our booking is for the 21st October.

[rkmw]

not very good if your catching a ferry from the north side with luggage and then have to get to Wynard and catch another ferry

[GUT2407]

Seems like a strange decision.

 

Maybe to reduce congestion at the Quay, or to make a greater profit even.

[GandM-nq]

How do they think that is a better departure point than Circular Quay? Better for them maybe, not the ones that want to catch it.

[kuldalai]

Why they would be doing it :

 

1. Shorter distance uses less fuel, saves CC cruises operating costs.

2. Fares will no doubt stay the same for shorter distance so improved profit.

3. Saves on access charges at Ciracular Quay, again more profit .

 

NB: Wynyard is not Circular Quay, Wynyard is 1 rail station away from Circular Quay, so most inconvenient for the small number of pax wishing to use the ferry service between White Bay and Circular Quay OPT.

 

Majority of pax will pay more but still access City Railway at Wynyard where one can travel direct by train to Airport Domestic or Airport International stations. (Do NOT alight at the Mascot station as it is NOT at the Airport !!)

[GUT2407]

Though I understand there were always worries about the number of vessels at Circular Quay with the addition of this service.

[MicCanberra]

I don't see a real issue for me however, I can see why some people would be upset. I would have been catching a train into town anyway so Wynyard or CQ or even Central is no big deal.

[MicCanberra]

White Bay ferry will no longer depart from Circular Quay. What do you think of the new route?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/news/news.cfm?ID=7272

 

Thanks for the update.:D

[The_Big_M]

I prefer the change; it'd make it worthwhile to use, whereas it isn't at CQ.

 

Wynyard has more train connections than CQ, plus has most bus connections, so I'd say this is better for most people (since ferry is the least used form of public transport).

[windsor26]

Instead of going to Wynyard Go to Town Hall and catch a taxi to white bay The cost is about $17 and this if you are more than one is cheaper and more convenient with less walking Do not forget at White Bay you have a 700 metre walk from one dock to the ship

[MicCanberra]

Instead of going to Wynyard Go to Town Hall and catch a taxi to white bay The cost is about $17 and this if you are more than one is cheaper and more convenient with less walking Do not forget at White Bay you have a 700 metre walk from one dock to the ship

 

Especially the case if you have to drag a lot of luggage, have kids, cannot walk very far or have accessibility issues. It is at least a 5 minute walk from Wynyard to the Kings street wharf anyway.

[windsor26]

Especially the case if you have to drag a lot of luggage, have kids, cannot walk very far or have accessibility issues. It is at least a 5 minute walk from Wynyard to the Kings street wharf anyway.

 

If you leave Town hall at the exit to bring you outside the Cathedral and then walk to the cross road 50metres there are loads of cabs coming by

[cheznandy]

If you leave Town hall at the exit to bring you outside the Cathedral and then walk to the cross road 50metres there are loads of cabs coming by

 

You won't have to do that in 6 weeks Yvonne;)

A short walk from the train to OPT.......race you there:p

 

Just remembered you are bringing the voyager home first!!

Edited October 13, 2016 by cheznandy

[Misson]

Four of us planned to use this service in 2 weeks time.

However we just found out that the ferry WILL NOT depart from Circular Quay!.

NOT happy at all!!!

We are too old (76 and 74) and too sick to drag our luggage: two big suitcases , backpack + handbag from Wynyard Station for 8 minutes!.

Previously longer ride, more enjoinment.

Now the trip will be shorter but the cost remains the same as before ($9 one way).

So whose benefit is it now?

Captain Cook Cruises will get the benefit (less petrol), not the passengers.

If this ferry is not going to return to Circular Quay, then in future we will use taxi as we did previously.

[The_Big_M]

Now the trip will be shorter but the cost remains the same as before ($9 one way).

So whose benefit is it now?

Captain Cook Cruises will get the benefit (less petrol), not the passengers.

 

Actually, passengers do get the benefit - a more frequent service. Less waiting.

[Misson]

Actually, passengers do get the benefit - a more frequent service. Less waiting.

Sorry, Big M,

You are one of not too many happy people with the new change.

Yesterday I spoke to a large number of people from our circle, representing different age brackets.

Honestly, not one person was happy with the prospect of walking with heavy luggage.

Majority of our group has plenty of time.

We don’t mind waiting, we can socialise during that time.

Frequency of service?

Not the most important thing because generally people are able to plan their journey to synchronise the different parts of their trip before the cruise.

Previous option gave us a “luxury” of a nice harbour cruise for $9.

Now – for the same cost – we were “robbed” of such small pleasure (trip will be much shorter), getting instead the inconvenience of walking with the walking stick while trying to manage our heavy luggage.

If you are an younger person, taking the shorter cruises, then maybe you don’t mind walking because you are fit and your luggage is light.

We – the older people – take longer cruises so our luggage is heavier.

We never used this ferry.

We were planning to use it in 10 days – for the 1st time.

However in these circumstances we will continue to use taxi services for our cruise transport needs.

1). Ferry for 2 people = 2 x $9 = $18 + inconvenience & difficulties with luggage.

2). Taxi for 2 people from outside the Central Station to the front gate of White Bay Terminal = approx. $20-$23, depending on traffic + convenience + driver’s help with luggage.

For us the benefits are clear.

Yesterday someone suggested booking a Maxi Cab for a specific time and sharing tour ride and costs with other people.

It seems to be a good idea as we always travel to CBD by train together.

But I still have to explore that option.

[GUT2407]

There was always going to be a problem with Circular Quay, it is at, or even above, capacity, just dealing with commuters getting to and from the city.

[The_Big_M]

Sorry, Big M,

You are one of not too many happy people with the new change.

 

I don't know about that. I've heard as much positivity as well about the location; it being convenient to more people on public transport as Wynyard has better rail access than Circular Quay, and a more frequent service. Personally I find it more convenient to the city and Darling Harbour.

 

That said, of course some won't prefer it (just as the previous location at Circular Quay didn't suit some), and the market outcome will show what works or not. Given they operated there before though on transits from White Bay, they would have some market experience there and so I suspect it has at least as much appeal.

[6666oz]

Catching the ferry at Circular Quay would have been a great location for me, just a short train ride from the hotel we stay at and you are there, needless to say I am not happy ether, its not about travel time on the ferry its about convenience on getting on the ferry with the minimum of fuss lugging heavy luggage. I'll stick to taxi's.

[MicCanberra]

Four of us planned to use this service in 2 weeks time.

However we just found out that the ferry WILL NOT depart from Circular Quay!.

NOT happy at all!!!

We are too old (76 and 74) and too sick to drag our luggage: two big suitcases , backpack + handbag from Wynyard Station for 8 minutes!.

Previously longer ride, more enjoinment.

Now the trip will be shorter but the cost remains the same as before ($9 one way).

So whose benefit is it now?

Captain Cook Cruises will get the benefit (less petrol), not the passengers.

If this ferry is not going to return to Circular Quay, then in future we will use taxi as we did previously.

 

For four people a taxi would have been a better option (cheaper and easier) in any case.