NSW: Long queues for Sydney ferries

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2003
NSW: Long queues for Sydney ferries

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - Sydneysiders and tourists who planned a relaxing trip across Sydney
Harbour today faced lengthy queues and long delays as thousands of others planned the
same.

Helen Willoughby, a spokeswoman for CityRail, which is part of the State Transit Authority,
said full ferry services were operating today, in order to cope with "record numbers"

of people using public transport.

"Normal (ferry) services are operating, they are going out full, they are coping with
demand, but people are having to exercise some patience because they do have to wait in
queues to get onto a ferry," Ms Willoughby told reporters in Sydney.

"For the first time in about five years we're seeing record numbers of people coming
out to take advantage of the public transport services."

Queues for tickets at Circular Quay were hundreds of people deep, extending under Circular
Quay railway station to Alfred Street.

Most people were headed to Manly on Sydney's northern beaches or to Taronga Zoo across
the Harbour.

Some commuters, forced to queue up to an hour - firstly for tickets and again to board
a ferry - voiced frustration with the lack of ferries and ticket-sellers.

Myra and Robert Stack from Baulkham Hills in Sydney's north-west said more ferries
were needed to cope with demand.

The couple, who were waiting in line for a ferry to Manly with relatives visiting Sydney
from the United States, said better arrangements for ticket sales were also needed.

Scottish tourists Janice Morrison and Janet Land, heading for Taronga Zoo, said the
half-hour queue for tickets was unexpected but did not worry them, and it was worth it
to see koalas.

AAP aj/smb/cbs/de

KEYWORD: FERRIES

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