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Revision as of 06:11, 30 March 2010
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries. (Discuss) Proposed since 30 March 2010. |
 Original-style CityCat catamaran
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | 1st Generation City Cats |
| Builders | Brisbane Ship Constructions |
| General characteristics | |
| Installed power | 2 × Cummins QSM11 261KW |
| Speed | 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph) |
| Capacity | 150 passengers |
 New-style CityCat catamaran
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | 2nd Generation City Cats |
| Builders | Norman Wright and Son |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 25 metres (82 ft) |
| Beam | 7.3 metres (24 ft) |
| Draft | 0.8 metres (2 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power | 2 × Cummins QSM11 336KW |
| Speed | 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) |
| Capacity | 162 passengers |
CityCat is a ferry service operated in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia by TransdevTSL, under contract from Brisbane City Council.
History
The CityCat service runs along the Brisbane River between Apollo Road in the suburb of Bulimba in the east and the University of Queensland at St Lucia, via South Bank and the Brisbane CBD. The network consists of 15 stops and passes locations such as New Farm Park, Kangaroo Point, Queensland University of Technology, South Bank, Toowong and West End.
The popular CityCat vessels are catamarans. Services began in 1996 with 6 vessels, each capable of carrying 150 passengers, with two further vessels being added to the CityCat fleet in 1998 due to increased demand. 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.
Six further catamarans of a new design, capable of carrying 12 more passengers, have since been added to the fleet. Refurbishment of the first generation CityCats began in 2005. Refurbished CityCats have more comfortable internal seating, with space set aside for parking 12 passengers' 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.
A further five CityCats have been ordered and whilst they are similar configuration as the current second generation vessels they will have slightly different lines and colour scheme. The first of these vessels was put into service in February 2010. [1]
Starting with the launch of Ya-wa-gara in late 2008, the CityCat fleet has received the addition of WiFi internet access on board. Three services are available for users:
- CityCatWireless, a free service requiring no authentication and available to everyone, but limited to a number of BCC and Brisbane-related sites, including Translink for public transport timetables.
- Eduroam, a free service provided for all users from educational institutions that are part of the Eduroam federation. Eduroam users must run a VPN to connect to their home institution for internet access.
- UQconnect, which provides the same facilities as at The University of Queensland campuses.
The CityCat WiFi service was developed by Scott Sinclair of UQ, who recruited Danny Smith (a founder of AusCERT) and Simon Rose (General Manager of UQconnect) to help implement the service. CityCat WiFi is a partnership of The University of Queensland and Brisbane City Council. [2]
Vessel Names
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.
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
Network
See also
References
External links
