Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 3, 2013 20:09:42 GMT 12
New Hobsonville Pt ferry service launched
updated 19:23
Published: 3:18PM Sunday February 03, 2013 Source: ONE News
Prime Minister John Key and Auckland Mayor Len Brown attend the Hobsonville Pt ferry launch - Source: Facebook For the first time in 50 years Auckland City has funded new ferry terminals in a bid to get commuters off the roads and onto the water.
A new ferry service was launched today and will connect the suburbs of Hobsonville and Beach Haven with downtown Auckland. Two morning and three afternoon services will run on weekdays.
The trips will take 30 minutes and cost $12 a ride for those paying cash, and less for those with an Auckland Transport Hop card.
Hundreds of people gathered to see the launch. The first passengers were Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Prime Minister John Key.
From downtown Auckland the ferry travels west on a scenic journey across the Waitemata Harbour.
"It's gorgeous," said Key.
"What you take for granted when you live in Auckland is just how beautiful the surroundings are, and you get a completely different perspective from the water. Can't think of a nicer way to start the day," the Helensville MP said.
The boat stops at the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven and then it's just 400 metres across the water to Hobsonville, a trip the mayor nearly missed out on when the boat left without him.
Brown said he and the Key had "a lot of nice discussions" today. While Auckland is often caught in power struggles with central government, he said "often the arguments and discussions are around timing, when do we do it, how do we do it".
Auckland Transport estimates around 1000 people a day will use the service at first, but with new housing developments in Hobsonville bringing thousands of people to the area it says that number should rise rapidly.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-hobsonville-pt-ferry-service-launched-5331872
updated 19:23
Published: 3:18PM Sunday February 03, 2013 Source: ONE News
Prime Minister John Key and Auckland Mayor Len Brown attend the Hobsonville Pt ferry launch - Source: Facebook For the first time in 50 years Auckland City has funded new ferry terminals in a bid to get commuters off the roads and onto the water.
A new ferry service was launched today and will connect the suburbs of Hobsonville and Beach Haven with downtown Auckland. Two morning and three afternoon services will run on weekdays.
The trips will take 30 minutes and cost $12 a ride for those paying cash, and less for those with an Auckland Transport Hop card.
Hundreds of people gathered to see the launch. The first passengers were Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Prime Minister John Key.
From downtown Auckland the ferry travels west on a scenic journey across the Waitemata Harbour.
"It's gorgeous," said Key.
"What you take for granted when you live in Auckland is just how beautiful the surroundings are, and you get a completely different perspective from the water. Can't think of a nicer way to start the day," the Helensville MP said.
The boat stops at the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven and then it's just 400 metres across the water to Hobsonville, a trip the mayor nearly missed out on when the boat left without him.
Brown said he and the Key had "a lot of nice discussions" today. While Auckland is often caught in power struggles with central government, he said "often the arguments and discussions are around timing, when do we do it, how do we do it".
Auckland Transport estimates around 1000 people a day will use the service at first, but with new housing developments in Hobsonville bringing thousands of people to the area it says that number should rise rapidly.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-hobsonville-pt-ferry-service-launched-5331872
