If only...

Can we look forward to newspaper ads from Fullers announcing something like this? Of course not, there will be icebergs in the Waitemata sooner than a price war on the Gulf. News report:

Commuters between Auckland and the capital have been given an early Christmas present, a price war in airfares between the two cities. Air New Zealand has undercut Jetstar airfares and slashed tickets between Auckland and Wellington to $7 each way on its late night flights, in the week leading up to Christmas. Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe said the carrier was making domestic travel more affordable than ever before and the low fares should be a boost to retailers in each city.

When can we have Virgin Ferries? Jetstar Ferries?

Fullers ups fares

This is how we feel about the Fullers fare hikes:

A fare price increase notification by txt

Fullers trying to show they are up with the technological times (no, no, not free wi-fi on board, that would be too radical) and texted us their news the Waiheke run fares will go up just in time for the long Labour weekend. Monthly passes by $5 and town return fares by 50c. Not a huge amount but judging from reactions I've had it's been resented by passengers none the less, who are unimpressed by the usual PR spin by the company (fuel prices, blah-blah, labour costs, blah-blah, expensive engine repairs for Superflyte and Quickcat).

Auckland Transport plans to make changes to Supergold card

The Herald on the Supergold card drain on the freebie transport budget:

If the cost is what’s worrying NZTA, then from the start, everyone knows the anomaly that is the Waiheke Ferry has been the biggest drain on the concession budget.
The first year’s figures (2008-2009) revealed that $2 million of the national $18 million had gone to Fullers Ferries to carry canny Auckland oldies for a day in the sun and vineyards. Whether cutting the evening peak hour concession would save much is questionable.

The Supergold card subsidy needs abolishing and the saved transport dollars used for making public transport travel more affordable for all. It makes no economic sense to provide a freebie to one sector of society while it makes travel for the rest unaffordable.

When the sheep don't disembark fast enough

Tueday 6:15pm: Starflyte docking at Pier 2B left again before all passengers had disembarked. It caused an almighty ruckus, crashing gang planks and screaming passengers but the skipper went merrily on his way to his dinner break. Which means the boat is out of service too, with an even smaller vessel now having to do the 8:00am ex-Waiheke sailing. Is Fullers' staff pissed off, or just instructed not to give a damn about passengers any more?
Newspaper report here

UPDATE: If you were an eyewitness of this incident, the family involved wants to hear from you: please email saunders.csk@xtra.co.nz or via mail 34 Frank Street, Oneroa.

How sheep feel on a shipment to Dubai

It's been another Winter of breakdowns, overloaded small vessels and passenger grumbling all round. So far, so groundhog day for Fullers: the annual survey of the boats is usually accompanied by breakdowns in the other parts of the fleet due to over-work. Jet Raider can't handle peak hour traffic due to its restricted loading speeds and the small riverboats can't always make it due to rough seas.
Every year the same old tired story, and the same old tired excuses.

Join the Waiheke Navy!

A piece of excellent news this week was buried in the back pages of the local media: from September a new ferry service between Auckland and Waiheke Island will start up.
Waiheke Navy is run by a tourist company, Around Waiheke Tours.
Initially the members-only service will be quite limited (one return sailing a week on Saturdays, but the website hints at more), cost $10 one-way and less when buying a multi-ride ticket. No supergold card will be accepted.
At first sight, the appeal and market is quite limited (it has to be as they can only accommodate 49 people per sailing) but good for, say, doing your weekly shop in town to beat the high prices at the Waiheke supermarket. For commuters and the elderly, Fullers will remain, for the time being, the only game in town.

Fullerswatch in the local board by-election campaign

Paul Walden published an e-zine for his bid to become the new member of the Waiheke Local Board, replacing Denise Roche.
It has a funny cartoon on Fullers boat breakdowns and an article on issues facing Waiheke ferry passengers and commuters.
If he gets elected he said he would work for the travelling public.
The magazine is on line [PDF] here.

Hop and integrated ticketing

Some interesting updates on the state of integrated ticketing in Auckland on the ever-interesting Auckland Transport blog. I've been partaking in the commentary on behalf of ferry users, which are in danger of being left out of any integrated structure.
We pay rates as the rest of Auckland so we deserve to be included in a system where you pay for the distance you travel, regardless of the mode of public transport you use - just like the Super Gold Card holders currently enjoy. If that means $5 Waiheke trip fares, so be it. We have been paying monopoly fares for far too long already.

"Winter" breakdowns are happening earlier and earlier

"Unplanned maintenance". That dreaded text message which means high capacity boats are taken out of service for any length of time. This time it was Superflyte which, reportedly, struck a 'submerged object' that knocked out one of the rotor blades. So off to Whangarei for repairs and off the run until at least the weekend. And we collectively hold our breath.


You have also noticed the monthly pass price went back up to $350 in February. I innocently asked the counter attendant whether that would mean more boats (or even boats that run and arrive on time), but she laughed hollowly at me. Welcome back to the cost-plus-plus world of Fullers.