After a lengthy community fight to save the resident-loved F10 ferry service, the Blackwattle Bay ‘Me Mel’ ferry is officially here to stay.
“After some talk of this service being cancelled, I have confirmed with the Minister for Transport that this fast, direct, timetabled service is continuing.” Greens MP Jamie Parker said.
Jetting its passengers from Glebe to Barangaroo in under 13 minutes, for months the ferry service has been on a government trial to decide if the service is utilised enough by Sydneysiders in order to continue running.
During the ferry trial, the government told the Glebe Society that the service will only continue running if it transports a minimum of 150 passengers per day.
Despite secrecy surrounding the usage figures of the Me-Mel ferry, with Greens MP Jamie Parker sharing in a newsletter that daily usage was at approximately 120 people per day, the F10 ferry service has prevailed and will continue to be in service for Sydney residents.
Increased demand a key priority
Balmain MP Jamie Parker has been a prominent advocate of the Glebe Ferry scheme from the start. Photo: supplied.
The ferry may remain in the water, but the service isn’t entirely ‘out of the water’ yet. Increasing the passenger numbers of the service is critical to ensure the longevity of the service in our Sydney waters.
Parker is encouraging Sydney residents to get out and experience what the Me-Mel F10 ferry service has to offer. Find the service timetable here.
“Summer is here and there’s never been a better time to get on and ride your Glebe ferry!” Parker said.
“Passenger numbers still matter so if you can please jump on and ride the ferry to send a message that our community supports this fantastic public transport service.”
With the service currently only accepting debit and credit card, Glebe Society Convenor Allan Hogan shared with City Hub that he believes an important step to improve the ferry’s usage would be to allow the use of the Opal Card on the service.
Ferry service could be extended to Annandale
Ever since the Me-Mel ferry was first introduced to Sydney’s waters, there has been high community demand for the service to be extended to Annandale.
“We’re still pushing for more ferry services for our local area including extending this service into Annandale so watch this space,” Parker said.
