RESIDENTS of Coochiemudlo Island are raising concerns over new fare increases on the vehicle ferry barge operated by Amity Trader, describing the changes as a significant cost-of-living blow.
From Monday (March 2), walk-on passenger fares on the vehicle barge between Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island will rise to $2 one way for adults and $1 for children aged between five and 14.
Infants under four will continue to travel free of charge, however no concession fares will be available under the new pricing structure.
The separate passenger ferry service, which is subsidised under the Queensland Government’s 50-cent flat fare scheme, will remain at 50 cents per trip.
Under the new pricing, an adult walk-on passenger using the vehicle barge will pay four times the subsidised ferry fare.
A fee of $10 per oversized trolley (more than 65cm long or 65cm wide) will apply each way on the vehicle barge, in addition to the applicable walk-on passenger fare.
Coochiemudlo Progress Association President Elizabeth Rankin said the change would have a real impact on residents who rely on the barge for essential trips.
She said the new fee comes at a time when many residents are already facing additional delivery costs.
“We don’t have fuel available on the island, so people have to travel to the mainland to buy it,” she said.
“Woolworths is also charging an extra $20 for deliveries to the island.
“So, more people are choosing to go over and do their own shopping — and now they’re being hit with a trolley fee as well.
“It’s equal to the Woolworths delivery fee, which is astounding.”
Ms Rankin said while the passenger ferry remains subsidised, it was not always a practical alternative.
“You can only take a trolley on the passenger ferry if it fits inside the yellow box on the jetty — around 40 to 45 centimetres square,” she said.
“If it doesn’t fit in that box, it can’t go on the (passenger) ferry.”
She said the pricing structure appears designed to push more people onto the passenger ferry service but warned that could create congestion issues on busy days.
“On a beautiful day with high tide, we can get 1,500 to 2,000 visitors to the island,” Ms Rankin said.
“Locals already sometimes wait two or three ferries — up to two hours — to get on or off the island because they’re full.
“If more people are forced onto the passenger ferry because of price, that’s only going to make that problem worse.”
A Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesperson said the Queensland Government’s Permanent 50 cent Fares apply to the Translink network, including the passenger ferry service between Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island.
“Privately owned and commercial services, including the vehicle barge run by the Amity Trader, operate under different regulatory arrangements. As such fares are not set or subsidised by the Queensland Government,” the spokesperson said.
As a privately operated service, TMR is not required to approve or be consulted on fare changes to vehicle barge services operated by the Amity Trader.
Redland City Councillor Lance Hewlett said he had only just become aware of the fare changes.
“This is the first I have heard of these fare increases,” Cr Hewlett said.
“The barge service is not regulated by TransLink and as such, I believe is not given the rebates for the discounted fares.
“My guess is the 50-cent fares on the barge were not sustainable to maintain the expected service levels.”
Amity Trader did not respond to media requests.
