January alone was a monthly record of 1,592,922 trips also since 2019.
Sydney Ferries has also had dramatic operational improvements in the last year.
Reliability has surpassed the 99.5% target, on-time running was consistently above 95% and overall customer satisfaction levels have been maintained at 98%.
Transdev Sydney Ferries Managing Director Gary Iddon said the numbers were proof that Sydney Ferries were back on course.
“These results are not easy to reach and a real credit to the continuous dedication and commitment of our team of nearly 700 people,” Mr Iddon said.
“Our people from crews, maintenance employees at Balmain Shipyard or in support roles, are focused on brilliant basics and putting customers at the heart of everything they do.
“For them, Sydney Harbour is not just a workplace; it’s the best office in the world and a source of pride as they deliver world-class service.
“Our team has worked hard to increase the preventative maintenance of vessels and boosted vessel availability since last year, which has improved reliability.”
Mr Iddon said collaborative support and collective efforts of Transport for NSW and trade unions had also been crucial, with the State adding extra services to the outer Harbour and Parramatta River routes earlier this year.
“It’s taken collaborative and sustained efforts on many levels, especially with the Government’s support for the introduction of 13 new vessels during the previous few years, which inevitably comes with different challenges,” Mr Iddon said.
“We’ve taken the learnings from the previous introduction of new vessels and now applying those lessons to Sydney’s new Parramatta class vessels and the improved accessibility they offer.
“It is also great to have support from our customers and the broader community. We connect families, friends, commuters and visitors to the heart of the city. They are the driving force behind our team’s determination to go the extra mile, ensuring a reliable, safe, and enjoyable ferry experience for all.”
Mr Iddon said Transdev would stay focused on improving reliability and customer experience as it continues to operate and maintain the fleet until 2028.
Transdev Sydney Ferries fast facts:
- History: Operated by Transdev since 2012
- Ferry fleet: 38 vessels
- Routes: 10
- Number of wharves: 36
- Patronage: 15.5m annually
- Customer satisfaction: 98% average (for last 5 years)
- Employees: ~680 people, averaging 13yrs service, +100 of those with at least 25yrs service
- First Nations: First transport operator to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag on all vessels since Nov 2022, 7% of workforce First Nations (national average 2.2%)
TfNSW improvements since 2019
- 13 new vessels(x10 River Class, x3 EmeraldGen2)
- 7 new Parramatta River vessels in next 12 months.
- 8 of 9 First Fleet vessels refurbished
- x2 Freshwaters: Freshwater / Queenscliff: major refurbs
- Optimised network timetable
- x2 new routes (F9 Watsons Bay and F10 Blackwattle Bay