Easter has traditionally been a time when we have seen significant queuing for the Bruny Island ferry – but hopefully things will be different this year.
This will be the first Easter that the purpose-built barge MV Bowen will be providing extra capacity alongside the Mirambeena on the Bruny Island ferry run.
Having completed some contract work in the aquaculture industry, the MV Bowen will return to the run this Thursday April 2, and will provide additional sailings through until next Wednesday, April 8.
While the additional sailings by the Bowen should help reduce queuing, Bruny visitors should still err on the side of caution and allow extra time for their journey.
Consider travelling during non-peak times - and you should still come prepared to wait if travelling on the high traffic days over Easter.
People queuing for the ferry are reminded to respect Ferry Road residents and obey all markings and signage, particularly the permanent Keep Clear zones which are marked to assist residents to access their driveways.
With sustained strong demand after the summer sailings period finished at the end of the school holidays, the Hodgman Government contracted the MV Bowen for further work where available, until Easter.
The Government is using these extra sailings by the Bowen as a trial to test the strength of the market and to understand whether an extended two-vessel service to Easter is sustainable.
This analysis of this trial will determine whether extended operations can be commercially viable in future years.
The Bruny Island Ferry Service is an important infrastructure investment which connects an island community to jobs, services, and to their fellow Tasmanians - in addition to fostering the growing unique tourism market on the Island.