Add Category
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has defended the decision to buy 10 new ferries, despite the fact people will need to move seats when they go under some Sydney bridges.
- Passengers on top of the ferries will have to go below deck on one section of the journey
- The new River Class ferries will be in service by the end of the year
- Asbestos was found on some of the boats when they arrived in NSW for testing
Mr Constance said critics needed to "take a chill pill" about the fact passengers on the new River Class ferries would have to move to the lower deck as the vessels approached the Camellia Railway Bridge and Gasworks Bridge on the Parramatta River.
The 10 new river cats are due to be in operation by the end of the year and, unlike the ferries already servicing the Parramatta to Circular Quay route, passengers will be able to travel on their roofs.
Opposition transport spokesman Chris Minns has described the design as a "fiasco" but Mr Constance said that was not true.
"I just think everyone needs to take a chill pill and realise this is a good news story, not a bad one," Mr Constance said.
"They've been purposely designed this way so that commuters and those who enjoy the river cats can get outside."
Mr Constance said the decision to include viewing decks was made to improve the experience of passengers.
"A lot of people do like to get outside on ferries and enjoy the wonderful scenery and fresh air," he said.
"At the moment you can't get outside on river cats ... [soon] they're going to be able to get outside for the first time so that's a great outcome."
The new ferries, built in Indonesia, have capacity for 200 customers with 122 indoor seats, 18 outdoor seats on the lower deck, and 10 seats on the upper deck.
Those on the upper deck will have to move downstairs for one stop — Rydalmere to Parramatta.
Mr Constance said charter boats cruising on the river already followed this process.
Last week, asbestos was found on four of the new River Class ferries which arrived in Newcastle for testing.
Mr Constance played down the incident and said the asbestos had been fully contained and removed and Transdev, a private transport operator, was responsible.
"I know Chris Minns thinks that I personally build ferries, I get in my tool shed and I start putting them together but I don't," Mr Constance said.
"Transdev commissioned those ferries ... there's an obligation on the part of the manufacturers and those who are actually doing the procurement, in this case Transdev."