Bass & Flinders Cruises
| Predecessor | Sydney Ferries |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Sans Souci, Sydney, Australia |
Area served |
Botany Bay Port Jackson |
| Services | Ferry operator |
| Subsidiaries | Manly Fast Ferry |
| Website | www,bassflinders.com.au |
Bass & Flinders Cruises is an Australian ferry operator on Botany Bay and Port Jackson
History
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] The service only operates during peak-hour on weekdays.[6] However Manly Fast Ferry continued to operate services between Circular Quay Wharf 6 and Manly East Pier via Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay.[7]
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.[8][9][10] In December 2014, the franchise was awarded to Bass & Flinders Cruises.[11][12]
Operations commenced on 1 April 2015 with three existing vessels from Bass & Flinders fleet along with two leased, with four new Incat built vessels due by the end of 2015.[13][14][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]
References
- ↑ 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 NSW eTendering 10 August 2009
- ↑ Contract Notice Award Detail Archived 13 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. NSW eTendering 8 March 2010
- ↑ About us Archived 4 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Sydney Fast Ferries
- ↑ Battle to be the last fast ferry on the harbour Sydney Morning Herald 9 April 2010
- ↑ Fast Ferry Service Contract between Circular Quay and Manly 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 Sydney Morning Herald 3 December 2014
- ↑ Cheaper fares, more services and new vessels for Manly Fast Ferry customers 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
- ↑ Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat wins contract to build four Manly fast ferries ABC News 2 May 2015
- ↑ Incat scores multi-million dollar Manly ferry coup Hobart Mercury 3 May 2015
- ↑ Eco Hopper Bass & Flinders