With Melbourne’s west cut off from city, government spruiks 20-person punt

Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

The two-week closure of three major rail lines in Melbourne’s west has reignited calls for ferries to service stranded suburbs cut off from the city, while the Transport Department has spruiked a privately-operated, 20-person punt that travels under the West Gate Bridge as a way to avoid the works.

The government is warning of significant delays and urging residents in the western suburbs to consider working from home from Monday, with buses replacing rail services on the Williamstown, Werribee and Sunbury train lines and Dynon Road — a major arterial route — closed until August 31.

Work on the Dynon Road bridge in West Melbourne will cause travel chaos in the western suburbs for the next two weeks as major rail ines closeCredit: Jason South

According to government data, more than 30,000 passengers catch trains along the affected lines on weekdays during school holiday periods.

In April and May, commuters in Geelong were offered a free express ferry service between Geelong’s Steampacket Pier and Docklands while sections of the rail line were closed for works.

Paul Little, the owner of Port Phillip Ferries, which operated the ferry service, told The Age his ferries could have plugged a hole during the current rail line closures, but he was not approached by the government. He said his services could transport passengers from “anywhere on the western side of the bay along the Yarra River” with enough planning and time.

“It’s a viable option in terms of the service level you could offer,” the former Essendon Football Club chairman said.

“But these ferries don’t just sit around. It takes a lot of planning, but we would be willing to sit down with the authorities, as we did in Geelong, and provide a service. We would be happy to help.”

In 2016, Port Phillip Ferries trialled a catamaran service from Werribee South to Docklands, which took about 70 minutes. While the service is no longer available, Port Phillip Ferries operates services from Melbourne to Portarlington and Geelong, which Little said had a “pleasing uptake in the popularity”.

Little said while Melburnians were “conservative when it comes to using ferries”, he believes it is inevitable governments will have to consider ferry services as part of the longer-term transport mix as the population in Melbourne’s west booms.

Private charter boats already offer services from Williamstown’s Gem Pier and from Footscray on the Maribyrnong River, both suburbs affected by the two-week rail closure.

Deputy Opposition Leader David Southwick questioned why the government wasn’t subsidising commercial ferries to help ease congestion over the next two weeks.

The Westgate Punt – which crosses the Yarra under the West Gate Bridge – is being suggested as an alternative way to get to the city for commutersCredit: Chris Hopkins

“With roads gridlocked, trains down and buses struggling to keep up, ferries are an important alternative and the Andrews government must explain why this solution has been ignored,” Southwick said.

“Big Build blowouts and delays are causing chaos for commuters and local communities across Melbourne and Geelong.”

When asked on Sunday about possible ferry services, Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said the transport authorities would monitor replacement bus services and respond with a surge of services in areas experiencing lengthy delays.

She also said the Westgate Punt service – a 20-person boat that runs under the West Gate Bridge – could be an option for some people.

The state government is warning of significant delays and urging residents in the western suburbs to consider working from home from June 23 to July 9, which coincides with the school holidays.Credit: The Age

"That won't be an option for everyone. It depends on what part of Melbourne's west they're coming in from," she said.

The Department of Transport and Planning promoted the use of the punt service, from Spotswood to Fisherman’s Bend, on social media, describing it as an alternative travel option for commuters during the two-week shutdown.

Punt operator and skipper Fletcher, who did not provide a surname, told The Age the service had received an increase in inquiries in recent days.

He said the service — which takes five minutes to transport passengers underneath the West Gate Bridge — has gained popularity as commuters became “cheesed off with the traffic on the bridge”.

When The Age visited the punt’s Spotswood jetty on Sunday, one person was on board.

But the idea was slammed by the opposition, with David Southwick saying any suggestion thousands of commuters could catch the punt “to work, to medical appointments and to childcare is a slap in the face and no solution at all”.

More than a decade ago, the government ordered a feasibility study into a ferry route from Werribee to the Docklands – with stops at Point Cook, Altona and Williamstown – to help ease West Gate Freeway traffic congestion. It found the service to Melbourne’s west, which has undergone a population boom in recent years, would only be viable with massive taxpayer subsidies.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

Most Viewed in Politics

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article