Ferry passengers will now enjoy more trips on the iconic Freshwater vessels and extra services on the Parramatta River, with the NSW Government delivering an additional 60 services across the F1 and F3 routes during the week and another 36 on weekends.
Freshwater Class vessels will be permanently uplifted from operating every 2 hours to hourly, increasing from 5 services a day to 10, on weekdays and weekends.
As Sydney’s most popular ferry route, with vessels that can carry up to 1100 passengers, this is a major boost for passengers and a win for our city – doubling the options for a trip across the harbour.
The first services from Circular Quay will depart at 9:50am with the first service from Manly taking off at 10:30am. The last service departing Circular Quay will be at 6:50pm and the last from Manly departing 7:30pm.
An extra 7 services will operate on the F3 Parramatta River route each weekday and an extra 26 on the weekend.
Those heading to events on Sundays will also have more options and shorter wait times, with 8 trips that currently terminate and Meadowbank and Barangaroo now extending all the way to Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay.
On the busy L1 Inner West Light Rail, passengers will enjoy a more frequent timetable, as extra services join the weekday peak.
The new timetable will increase passenger capacity by 33% during peak times and see more frequent services on Friday nights when people are out and about.
These extra services are as a result of the new Urbos 100 light rail vehicles hitting the tracks, increasing the L1 fleet from 12 to 16.
For more information, visit Transport NSW info.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“Adding extra services to key routes in Sydney will support the return to work and school, increasing capacity and decreasing wait times for thousands of commuters.
“We know the community wants more frequent trips along the Parramatta River, particularly on weekends and for major events, while our beautiful Freshwater Class ferries have never been more popular.
“Ferries are one of Sydney’s most beloved forms of public transport, so this is great news for our city – both in our West and between Manly and Circular Quay.
“We went to the election promising more ferry services at Drummoyne Wharf – and that’s exactly what I’m delivering now.
“Extra light rail services will make a big difference for those in the Inner West by cutting wait times and increasing capacity, with more than 200 extra services a week.”
Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said:
“Extra services on the popular F1 and F3 routes is a major boost to those who are taking a ferry to work, to school or to events around Sydney.
“The uplift to a 6-minute frequency for the L1 Light Rail will be a huge benefit to those travelling through the Inner West to the business hubs of Pyrmont, Ultimo, Haymarket and the CBD.
“I want to thank our operators for working with us to provide more services that cut wait times and allow passengers to simply turn up and go.”
