Pine Harbour ferry - Weekend trial report and outcome Pine Harbour ferry - Weekend trial report and outcome
Following a successful trial of weekend ferry services between Pine Harbour and Downtown, permanent weekend services will operate on Saturday 28 January 2023.
Background
Requests from existing midweek commuters and the Franklin Local Board, along with the growing number of residents in the area, prompted Auckland Transport (AT) to test the demand for weekend ferry services between Pine Harbour and the city centre.
Pine Harbour serves the communities of Beachlands, Maraetai, Whitford and the surrounding rural district. There is a well-established and patronised weekday ferry service but there are no weekend services. A bus option to the Auckland city centre involves a connection from Botany and takes longer than the 35 minute ferry ride.
A weekend ferry service would allow people from the Maraetai, Beachlands, and Pine Harbour areas to enjoy a faster, easier and more direct journey to the city centre. This will also allow Pine Harbour to become a destination for people wanting to visit the area from the greater Auckland area.
About the trial
Funding was secured to undertake a trial in order to learn important lessons before a permanent service could be offered. This trial was possible due to the co-operation of SeaLink Pine Harbour Limited, funding from Auckland Transport/Auckland Council, and Waka Kotahi.
From 19 March to 25 April 2022, Auckland Transport (AT) operated a six-week trial of weekend ferry services between Pine Harbour and Downtown. Services ran on Saturdays and Sundays as well as the public holidays on Good Friday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day.
The trial was important to not only gauge community interest in a weekend service, but also for AT and SeaLink to also test the operational viability of the proposed timetable.
Trial outcomes
Patronage showed that there is sufficient support for Pine Harbour ferry services on weekends.
The trial was deemed successful and a permanent weekend ferry service for Pine Harbour will begin Saturday 28 January 2023.
Get the report
You can download the Weekend trial report now.