Parramatta. Ferry service retained

The Parramatta to Circular Quay route would be retained under any new contract, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said, referring to the government’s decision to “franchise” Sydney Ferries. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the potential existed for extra stops for the Parramatta ferry.

Parramatta. Operators annoyed over decision

Five ferry operators, who submitted proposals to takeover the RiverCat ferry service to Parramatta, are annoyed the NSW Government has abruptly rejected their private-sector proposals, to retain the service with an extended timetable on weekdays and weekends, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

Parramatta. Express ferries to Sydney

The NSW Government will spend $4 million over two years to set up an express RiverCat service, between Parramatta and the King's Street Wharf, in the Sydney CBD, Premier Nathan Rees said. The service, due to begin later this year and expected to take less than 55 minutes, will run hourly between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on weekends.

Parramatta. Rees wants to upgrade RiverCat

Premier Nathan Rees said he planned to upgrade the Parramatta RiverCat services when announcing the State Government the calling for expressions of interest from private companies to operate all ferry services. The problem with the service to Parramatta was the narrowness of the river's upper reaches, causing ferries to slow down to limit wash. Changes to Parramatta services might involve Parramatta Council building a new car park by the wharf. The Maritime Union of Australia was confident Sydney Ferries could reach world's best practice and stop the service from being privatised, according to AAP.

Fight to save the RiverCat

A Brisbane-based Tourism Media study of tourism trends places Parramatta sixth on a list of Australia's top 10 destinations for domestic tourists and has lent weight to the campaign to save the RiverCat ferry service from Circular Quay to Parramatta, according to the Parramatta Sun.
"Keeping the ferry going ... would have to be a major thing as far as Parramatta tourism in concerned. The ferry should be promoted as it was the way many tourists liked to arrive in Parramatta," said the company's communications manager, Todd Levi.
By coincidence on Monday, the state MP for Parramatta, Tanya Gadiel, state opposition transport spokesperson, Gladys Berejiklan, Parramatta Liberal councillor, John Chedid, and Parramatta Chamber of Commerce president, Roman Dechnicz, were at the Charles Street wharf at the same time to express their views on the future of the service.
A state government-commissioned report has recommended the cessation of the service to Parramatta. The Minister for Transport, John Watkins, said he would consider all the report's recommendations next year.

Support sought for RiverCat service

The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce seeks support from Western Sydney politicians and the business sector for the continuation of the RiverCat ferry service between Rydalmere and Parramatta, which a report into State Ferries recommneds cessation of the service. Chamber president, Roman Dechnicz, wants to hear of businesses adversely affected by the current service, and of business growth and developlment opportunities which a service devoted solely to tourists could offer.

Chamber challenges MP over RiverCat

The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce has urged the State Member for Parramatta, Tanya Gadiel, to join the fight to ensure the future of the RiverCat ferry service which a report has recommended the cessation of the run betwen Rydalmere and Parramatta. Chamber president, Roman Dechnicz wants her reinforce her statement in 2004 that "the RiverCat is here to stay". Ms Gadiel said: "I absolutely stand by that comment ... and will tell Premier Morris Iemma and Transport Minister, John Watkins, that people in Parramatta will not cop that recommendation."