Derwent Ferries

Derwent Ferries is a ferry operator in Hobart, Tasmania. In August 2021 it was awarded the contract to begin a trial commuter ferry service between Bellerive and Hobart, which carried more than 110,000 passengers during its first year. The service was free for the first year for passengers with a Greencard, bicycle or e-scooter, and in August 2022 another phase of the trial began with fares introduced equivalent to a Metro Tasmania bus fare, using the same Greencard system.

In August 2021 Derwent Ferries was awarded the contract to begin a trial commuter ferry service between Bellerive and Hobart. The company states it took more than 110,000 passengers during the first year of the trial. The service was free for the first year for passengers with a Greencard, bicycle or e-scooter as an incentive to try the new service and combine it with active or public transport. Having trialled the service fare-free for the first 12 months, the Tasmanian Government is assessing the service as a real public transport option for the longer term. In August 2022 another phase of the trial began, with the Tasmanian Government introducing fares equivalent to that of a Metro Tasmania bus fare, using the same Greencard system currently in use on Metro buses. Travel with a bike or e-scooter is no longer free, but there is no extra charge for carrying these items on board. Continued uptake of the service will play a significant role in determining the viability of expanding ferries to more destinations and at more times, which is currently being explored.

A trial commuter ferry service positioned as a public transport option for Hobart.

• Bellerive–Hobart commuter ferry service

  A trial commuter ferry service between Bellerive and Hobart.

1. 1Welcome aboard - Derwent Ferriesderwentferries.com.au
2. 2Derwent Ferrieswikidata.org