The Gulf Harbour ferry service is back to a full schedule of sailings from Monday, after years of frequent cancellations and reduced timetables. Ferry crew shortages meant many commuters were stuck using hours-long replacement buses or even taxis to take them the 50km by road from Auckland's central business district to the Whangaparāoa peninsula. Then last year Auckland Transport proposed canning the service altogether, prompting backlash from the community and a petition to keep it running.
Now the service's problematic past appears to be behind it, but it will take time and effort to win back the trust of the locals. Monday was a beautiful morning in The City of Sails, with blue skies and still water. "Oh my god, it's a blessing for me.
Because it just takes 45 minutes from here. I just get dropped off at the ferry terminal and walk to work, fantastic, " said local Geet Vashisth. "We're all gonna get behind it, we're all going to use it," said fellow commuter Kathy.
Gulf Harbour is near the end of the Whangaparāoa peninsula, and the drive in peak traffic was a long and slow option for Vashisth. "You need to come with me in the car in the morning, and it will take forever to reach the city, or anywhere outside this area. But having a ferry is such a convenience.
" The extra sailings would take some cars off the roads, Kathy said, but she hoped Auckland Transport had not promised too much. "My biggest worry is that we've been set up for failure, with 24 ups and downs a da.