Derek_Bullock
01-04-2006, 08:04 AM
This sux.
Derek
Barge fares set to go up
By Samantha Peters
Monday, 27 March 2006
Small vehicle owners travelling on barges from Redland Bay to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will pay more than $20 extra for a return fare next month.
From April 1, Stradbroke Ferries will ditch its differential fare system for small and large cars in favour of a flat fee for all cars.
Small car owners will no longer pay $45 for a return fare to the islands, but the same fare as a large car owner, which will increase from $65 to $69.
In another change, advance bookings for the barge must be now paid up front and non residents will pay $85 to travel to the islands.
Finally, Stradbroke Ferries will be launching another barge service from April 1 in order to provide more frequent services for islanders.
The company is the only barge operator from Redland Bay to the Bay Islands.
Stradbroke Ferries chief executive officer Ron O'Grady said the company had decided to restructure the pricing so it was "more logical".
He said the differential system was unique to the Redland Bay service, and the company's other barge service to North Stradbroke Island did not use it.
However, he said the $69 Bay Island service was still much cheaper than the $99 North Stradbroke Island service, which had the same travel time.
Some islanders were not happy with the new fees.
"It's a ludicrous situation. I am angry," said Merv Sprague of Macleay Island.
Although Merv confessed he wasn't worried about paying an extra $4 for his large car to travel on the barge, he was very concerned about the many pensioners and retirees that lived on the Bay Islands.
"You study what your market can support before you put screws on it in one way or another. It will reflect on the quality of life."
Martyn Osborn of Macleay Island said trucking companies transporting building materials to the islands would pass on the increased fees to the consumers.
More people would have to car pool to the mainland, he said.
"They are a bit hefty in one hit and it just highlights the problems facing the people on the islands with transport, and parking and the issues associated with it, and how difficult it is now and how difficult it will be in the future," Division 5 Councillor John Burns said. "I have had quite a few people approach me about it."
A public meeting will be held at the Community Centre on Macleay Island at 7.30pm next Tuesday, April 4.
Derek
Barge fares set to go up
By Samantha Peters
Monday, 27 March 2006
Small vehicle owners travelling on barges from Redland Bay to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will pay more than $20 extra for a return fare next month.
From April 1, Stradbroke Ferries will ditch its differential fare system for small and large cars in favour of a flat fee for all cars.
Small car owners will no longer pay $45 for a return fare to the islands, but the same fare as a large car owner, which will increase from $65 to $69.
In another change, advance bookings for the barge must be now paid up front and non residents will pay $85 to travel to the islands.
Finally, Stradbroke Ferries will be launching another barge service from April 1 in order to provide more frequent services for islanders.
The company is the only barge operator from Redland Bay to the Bay Islands.
Stradbroke Ferries chief executive officer Ron O'Grady said the company had decided to restructure the pricing so it was "more logical".
He said the differential system was unique to the Redland Bay service, and the company's other barge service to North Stradbroke Island did not use it.
However, he said the $69 Bay Island service was still much cheaper than the $99 North Stradbroke Island service, which had the same travel time.
Some islanders were not happy with the new fees.
"It's a ludicrous situation. I am angry," said Merv Sprague of Macleay Island.
Although Merv confessed he wasn't worried about paying an extra $4 for his large car to travel on the barge, he was very concerned about the many pensioners and retirees that lived on the Bay Islands.
"You study what your market can support before you put screws on it in one way or another. It will reflect on the quality of life."
Martyn Osborn of Macleay Island said trucking companies transporting building materials to the islands would pass on the increased fees to the consumers.
More people would have to car pool to the mainland, he said.
"They are a bit hefty in one hit and it just highlights the problems facing the people on the islands with transport, and parking and the issues associated with it, and how difficult it is now and how difficult it will be in the future," Division 5 Councillor John Burns said. "I have had quite a few people approach me about it."
A public meeting will be held at the Community Centre on Macleay Island at 7.30pm next Tuesday, April 4.