This New On-Demand Ferry Service Will Run Between Barangaroo, Pyrmont and Glebe

If you live in Pyrmont or Glebe, you might have more water cruises in your future because the area is set to score its own on-demand ferry service. The NSW Government has announced that it will launch a six-month ferry trial to more directly link the Bays Precinct to the city.

The new green ferry will be a 43-seat 12-metre-long MiniCat dubbed Me-Mel, the Gadigal name for 'eye' (and also the local indigenous name for Goat Island). While it will only be available on-demand, it will still follow a route, which will run from Barangaroo Wharf to Pyrmont's Pirrama Park, the Fish Markets and the Glebe side of Blackwattle Bay. While ferries already run between Barangaroo and Pyrmont Bay wharves, this ferry will provide another public transport option and a more direct route to Glebe — at the moment, commuters need to take one or two buses (or walk or catch a cab) to get home.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This looks really promising. After years of campaigning for more public transport options by Glebe and Pyrmont residents, the NSW Government has announced a trial of on-demand ferries from Blackwattle Bay through to Barangaroo. We'll be watching the trial closely and if it proves successful, I'll advocate for the service to be expanded to other areas it could work, such as Woolloomooloo and Rushcutters Bay. When the trial begins, let me know what you think.

A post shared by Clover Moore (@clovermoore) on Sep 27, 2019 at 5:30pm PDT

Me-Mel will be run by Sydney Ferries operator Transdev, and will be available to order between 7am and 10pm on weekdays, and 8.30am and 7.30pm on the weekend. To book, you just need to download the Tranzer smartphone app. Alternatively, you can give them a call or visit one of the kiosks located at the wharves.

And in good news — a ride on the ferry will work out the same as your standard Opal ferry fare — a single trip clocks in at $7.60 for adults and $3.80 for concession card holders. Which makes it a viable swap for your regular Uber ride home.

Last December, Captain Cook Cruises launched its own private on-demand ferry to service the inner-east wharves — however, it has since stopped operation.

The ferry is set to start running sometime in October. We'll let you know when services kick off.