Ferries full,services cancelled as free public transport hits Easter weekend

Ferry services were cancelled,others were close to capacity and queues at Circular Quay were hundreds deep on Saturday as the Easter long weekend coincided with free public transport across Sydney.

Sydney Ferries urged travellers to consider using alternative travel options,as hundreds lined up for services to cross the harbour throughout the day.

Long queues at Circular Quay on Saturday.

Long queues at Circular Quay on Saturday.Rhett Wyman

Several ferry services,including the F3 and F4,were cancelled due to staff shortages,while the F1,F2,F3,F4,F8 and F9 services were reaching capacity. By Saturday evening,buses were replacing the F1 Manly ferry.

Twelve days of free public transport for the city started on Thursday as the government sought to spur a return to city centres and make amends for widespread disruption after shutting down the train network in February.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said Good Friday had been one of the busiest days for the Sydney ferry network with 63,903 passenger trips recorded.

“That’s four times last Friday,and about a 25 per cent increase from pre-COVID ferry trips,” he said. “I encourage families across Greater Sydney to keep taking advantage of the fare-free travel period.”

Transport for NSW’s Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins urged travellers to check their trip before they left.

“We have seen lots of people on the Manly,Milsons Point,Watsons Bay,Parramatta River and Taronga Zoo ferry services and we expect this to continue,especially over the next three days,” Collins said.

Sydney Ferries cancelled several services due to staff shortages,with others at capacity.

Sydney Ferries cancelled several services due to staff shortages,with others at capacity.Rhett Wyman

“If you are planning to travel on a ferry over the long weekend you should consider travelling early or later in the day if possible and always check online for updates.

“We are also asking people to disembark at the end of each harbour journey so other people waiting can make a return trip rather than stay aboard and do a round-trip.”

With Tom Rabe

Our Breaking News Alertwillnotify you of significant breaking news when it happens.Get it here.

Sally Rawsthorne is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Laura Chung is an environment reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Most Viewed in National