The possible cancellation of the ferry service from Gulf Harbour Marina to the city could have a massive impact on our roads.

Councillor and Chair of Auckland’s Transport & Infrastructure Committee, John Watson, says the roads will become more congested as it will force people to either take their cars or use buses.

“The buses still use the same lanes as cars from the Hibiscus Coast until Albany, then the buses have their own lanes into the city,” says John.

Auckland Transport is proposing to cancel the much-needed ferry service in 2028, two years after Penlink opens. 

The ferry service has been in operation since 1990 and is much needed in the area, as it only takes 50 minutes into the city, whereas an hour and a half via bus or car. 

The ferry will be replaced with buses, which will cause more congestion on our roads.

After it was announced that the ferry service may be cancelled, an urgent public meeting was held at the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club last week with 350 people in attendance. 

John said many of them had to stand as there weren’t enough seats. 

This number isn’t surprising, as John says that the ‘reliable’ ferry service from Gulf Harbour into the city is one of the reasons why people are moving to the peninsula.

“There’s a park and ride facility, enough berths for the ferries. The council invested millions in having a successful ferry service.”

Another meeting will be held tonight at the same venue at 7pm.

John lives in Army Bay and often uses the ferry to commute to the city.

“It is the worst service ever,” says John, noting that half of the ferry services are cancelled due to bad weather, crew shortage or vessel maintenance. 

“I totally understand if trips are cancelled due to the bad weather as the ferry travels far out in the gulf where the water can get choppy. But that makes for about 6% of the times why the ferries are cancelled, not 51% of the cancellations.”

The weather could be wind-free and the best summer’s day ever, and Auckland Transport could still cancel the trip. 

A petition to save the ferry from being cancelled has started and there are already over 4,500 signatures on. 

A Gulf Harbour Ferry Facebook group is urging everyone to sign the petition, as they have until the 17th of August to submit it to the council. 

Feedback can be given at https://at.govt.nz/rptp