Commuters and travellers will be able to get their sea legs on Wellington’s ferries again, but it won’t all be plain sailing.
The East by West ferry between Queens Wharf and Days Bay will launch again on May 18 on a restricted timetable, but won’t be making its usual stops at Seatoun or Matiu/Somes Island.
Fares will be free until the end of June, the same policy as applies to all other public transport run by Greater Wellington Regional Council, including trains, buses, and the cable car.
However, social distancing will mean reduced capacity on sailings, and even more so when the weather is poor. East by West is meeting on Thursday to determine exactly what those restrictions will look like.
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Stuff
Interislander will be running all three of its ferries for passengers
The Interislander ferries are wasting no time and will be running expanded passenger services from Thursday.
“We will be operating all three of our Interislander ferries,” KiwiRail chief executive Greg Miller said.
“We are looking to put on extra passenger sailings over the weekend and next week, in line with a strong upsurge in demand.”
“Under level 2, passenger capacity will be lower than normal to allow for appropriate physical distancing, in line with government guidance.”
Brya Ingram/Stuff
One Bluebridge ferry has been taken to Australia for repairs
At level 3, passengers had been able to travel via ferry provided they had proper paperwork confirming their need to travel, but this will be lifted at level 2.
Bluebridge is running just one ferry at the moment, as the other has been taken to Australia for repairs.
The company is lifting passenger restrictions from Thursday to allow travel, but said there was limited capacity due to the need to transport freight with only one ship.
