Overview
Our transportation options are becoming more and more personalised. Sydney now has three rideshare car companies — and might soon score on-demand flying taxis — and even the government has jumped on board, launching on-demand buses across the west and inner east.
Travel across Sydney Harbour, however, is still limited to two options: Sydney Ferries and pricey, privately-operated water taxis (unless your mate happens to own a tinnie or super yacht, that is).
This is about to change, thanks to a new service called Ahoy, which just launched on Tuesday, December 18. Run by Captain Cook Cruises, the on-demand ferries service allows you to call one to your nearest inner east wharf at a time that suits you. Similar to Uber, you can hail the ferry via an app on your mobile device, which also tracks the vessel's journey and lets you know its arrival time.
At the moment, Ahoy is available for travel between Elizabeth Bay Marina, Garden Island Wharf and the Harbour Master Steps, Circular Quay. It's currently running between 6.45–9.15am and 4.15pm–7:30pm, Monday to Friday. A one-way journey takes just 12 minutes and costs $7.50 for adults — about the same price as a regular Sydney ferry — or, if you buy a 15-trip eTravelPass, $5.90.
The 'tubby class' ferries, which can carry up to 60 passengers at a time, are not Captain Cook's first foray into ferries, either — its rocket ferries run 13 different services across Sydney Harbour, which includes trips to Barangaroo, Lane Cove, Goat Island and Watsons Bay.
Download Ahoy at the App Store or on Google Play.
Image: Captain Cook rocket ferry courtesy Captain Cook and SeaLink Travel Group.