Transdev Brisbane Ferries
| Company type | joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | public transport |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Brisbane River |
| Services | ferry transport |
| Parent | Transdev Transfield Services |
| Website | brisbaneferries.com.au |
TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries (formerly Metrolink Queensland) is the operator of the Brisbane City Council's ferry network under the TransLink integrated public transport scheme in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.
Prior to 2003, Brisbane City Council contracted River Connections to provide CityCat and Cityferry services in Brisbane. In 2003, Brisbane City Council contracted TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries (a joint venture between Transdev and Transfield Services) to operate and maintain CityCat and Cityferry services in Brisbane for at least seven years.
TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries operates Cityferry and CityCat services between the University of Queensland St Lucia campus and Bulimba on the Brisbane River.[1] TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries's fleet currently consists of 15 CityCats and 9 CityFerries.[2]
History
Prior to 2003, Brisbane City Council contracted River Connections to provide CityCat and Cityferry services. In 2003, Brisbane City Council contracted TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries (a joint venture between Transdev and Transfield Services) to operate and maintain CityCat and Cityferry services for at least seven years.
With the establishment of Trankslink, the arrival of the first "second generation" CityCat (Beenung-urrung) and the introduction of a new CityCat timetable, passenger numbers increased by 26% in 2004. Late 2004 saw the restructuring of the Cityferry network which included more late night services.[3] In response to the 31% increased demand for CityCat services in 2005, the second "New Generation" CityCat (Tunamun) was introduced. November 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of the commencement of CityCat services. In 2008, Transfield Services and Transdev re-branded Metrolink Queensland to TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries. In addition, three new CityCats (Meeandah, Wilwinpa and Ya-wa-gara) were launched and the Apollo Road terminal was reopened. In 2009 and 2010, two new CityCats (Mahreel and Kuluwin) were launched. In addition, 2010 saw the introduction of three express services during morning peak times.[1]
Fleet
TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries's fleet currently consists of 15 CityCats and 9 CityFerries.[2]
Services
TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries operates Cityferry and CityCat services between the University of Queensland St Lucia campus and Bulimba on the Brisbane River.[1]
CityCat
The popular CityCat vessels are catamarans, operating between the University of Queensland and Apollo Road, Bulimba. Services began in 1996 with 6 vessels, each capable of carrying 149 passengers, with two further vessels added to the CityCat fleet in 1998 due to increased demand.[3] Between 2004 and 2009 six second generation CityCats were launched, and the first third generation vessel was launched in February 2010. The second and third generation vessels have a capacity of 162 passengers. The second and third generation CityCats have more comfortable internal seating, with space set aside for parking 12 bikes, a plasma screen mounted inside to show news services and advertisements, larger onboard toilet facilities and more and better padded seating available outside, especially in the forward seating area. [citation needed] Refurbishment of the first generation CityCats began in 2005.
The service carried approximately 2.88 million passengers in 2004. The system is particularly appealing to tourists as it is a pleasant way to travel past such Brisbane icons as the Story Bridge and South Bank Parklands.[citation needed]
The CityCats are named after the Aboriginal place names for various parts of the Brisbane River and adjacent areas. The English name is given in brackets, with the launch date.[2]
First generation
- Kurilpa (West End) — launched November 1996
- Mirbarpa (Indooroopilly) — launched November 1996
- Barrambin (Breakfast Creek) — launched November 1996
- Tugulawa (Brisbane River at Bulimba) — launched November 1996
- Mianjin (Gardens Point) — launched December 1996
- Binkinba (New Farm) — launched December 1996
- Mooroolbin (Hamilton Sandbank) — launched October 1998
- Baneraba (Toowong) — launched December 1998
Second generation
- Beenung-urrung (Highgate Hill) — launched August 2004
- Tunamun (Petrie Bight) — launched June 2005
- Meeandah (this suburb is next to Eagle Farm and Pinkenba) — launched February 2008
- Wilwinpa (Observatory) — launched June 2008
- Ya-wa-gara (Breakfast Creek) — launched November 2008
- Mahreel (Spring Hill) — launched April 2009
Third generation
- Kuluwin (Wooloowin) — launched February 2010
CityFerry
CityFerry covers a smaller area than the CityCat ferry service with stops spaced closer together, and is operated with 12 monohull ferries, varying slightly in appearance.[2] Inner City Ferries service the inner city. Cross River Ferry routes have less than 3 stops.
- Bulimba
- Lucinda
- Koopa
- Otter
- Mermaid
- Doomba
- Gayundah
- Kalparrin
- John Oxley
References
- ^ a b c "CityCat Timetable" (PDF). pp. 6–7. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d "TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries Fleet". Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ a b "TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries History". Retrieved 24 March 2010.