Devonport ferries are to be included in Auckland's public transport network after 18 months of discussion, but fares are unlikely to change any time soon.
One of the changes that comes with the partnership is an increase on the notice that Fuller needs to give for service cancelling. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
The partnership between Auckland Transport (AT) and Fullers360 has been challenging as the private agency was rejecting to treat its services as public transport.
The agreement signed today includes the full integration of the Devonport to downtown Auckland route into AT's ferry network.
This means Fullers360 exemption from network control has ended under the new deal, and travellers will now be able to benefit from fare deals and quality controls.
Metro contracts manager Gareth Willis said with the agreement, the population would also have access to a more reliable timetable.
"The service will be fully contracted by Auckland Transport and subjected to the same management and performance criteria as other services are around the region."
For those on Waiheke Island the agreement does not mean much, as Fuller remains privately operating the ferries and exempt from public transport regulations.
One of the changes that comes with the partnership is an increase on the notice that Fuller needs to give for service cancelling.
Willis said it would go from 15 days to nine months.
He said although Waiheke services would remain outside public regulations, there would now be a higher accountability, as these services would be measured against AT's service standards.
Waiheke residents will also be able to access a new AT HOP adult monthly pass which includes same-zone bus and train connections at either end of the ferry journey.
The pass will be priced the same as the equivalent existing Gulf Harbour and Pine Harbour ferry monthly passes, saving commuters 14 percent of its original price.
The passes should be available for the public in the next months.
Environmental aspects
The agreement will also see Auckland's ferry system sustainably expanded.
Five new electric-hybrid ferries, evaluated in $8 million and funded by the Climate Action Targeted Rate will be added to the fleet.
Although owned by Auckland Transport, the new ferries will be managed by Fullers.
Fullers chief executive Mike Horne said green ferry transport was the future and the company was helping to accelerate the transition.
"Public private partnerships are one of the many ways we can unlock solutions to the climate change crisis and move towards solutions that deliver a lower carbon transport network for Auckland and New Zealand," he said.
The ownership of four existing Auckland ferries will also transfer from Fullers to Auckland Transport.
AT metro services group manager Darek Koper said the move to new electric ferries would help increase the pace of Auckland's transition to an all-electric and electric-hybrid ferry fleet.
"The plug-in hybrid ferries are in addition to the two EV Maritime fully electric ferries recently announced, increasing the government and council investment in new electric or electric-hybrid vessels to seven, which will allow us to significantly reduce our emissions," he said.
Passengers travelling on services like the Devonport route will be some of the first to travel on the new electric and plug-in electric-hybrid ferries, which Koper described as "comfortable, quiet and a fantastic experience".
He said the four existing fleet ferries were needed to maintain services while the transition to the new electric fleet is completed.
The engines will be refurbished and retrofitted with lower emission engines to help ensure reduction on emissions. The refurbishment will cost ratepayers $15m.