Wymah Ferry review

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has completed a review of the Wymah Ferry on the Murray River to improve this service.

The RTA has determined a number of short and long term improvements following feedback from ferry users and the community.

Background

The Wymah Ferry is located on the Murray River east of Albury and is a public transport service provided to the community by the RTA.

The ferry has carried a low number of passengers over the years and has been regularly out of service due to low water levels.

The ferry is jointly funded by the NSW and Victorian governments under the Murray River Crossings Agreement. This agreement covers all public bridges which cross the Murray River.

Built in 1946, the ferry is one of two remaining ferries across the Murray. The other ferry, Speewa Ferry, is located near Swan Hill.

The service review

The RTA investigated ways the service could be improved to increase patronage and to minimise the impact that service disruptions currently have on the community.

The Regional Development Company was engaged to consult the community as part of the review.

The community and stakeholders such as councils and tourism groups shared their views and ideas through community workshops, interviews and correspondence.

This feedback formed an important part of the review, particularly on operational topics such as ferry operating times and signs about the service.

Community workshops

Community workshops were held at Granya, Talgarno and Wymah in July 2008 to discuss the current use of the ferry service and to identify key issues and ideas for improving the service.

The main issues identified were:

Unsuitable operating hours.
The community has a limited awareness of actual operating hours.
Lack of signage.
Existing signage is difficult to read or at inappropriate locations.
Difficulty in communicating from the Victorian side directly with the ferry operator.
Limited capacity on this service to transport heavier vehicles and motor vehicles towing caravans and trailers.
Poor level of service delivery at times.
Inability to operate the ferry all year round.

Consultation recommendations

In summary, the review recommendations were:

To upgrade the communications system on the Victorian side of Lake Hume.
To change the morning meal break time.
To consider an advertising campaign to increase public awareness of the ferry service.
To make the ferry service information on the RTA website more accessible.
To provide signs on operating times and contact information at key NSW and Victorian ferry access sites such as Bethanga Bridge.
To determine the appropriateness of providing ferry advice as an alternative travel route at various townships around the district.
To update the processes for emergency use of the ferry.
To investigate the potential for the ferry to generate revenue from functions and events.
To review the feasibility of excavation and improvement works at the ferry site to enable operation during low water levels.
To explore options to provide an alternative crossing when the ferry is out of operation such as a pontoon.
To improve service delivery through the contract arrangement.
To review load capacity increases.
To identify ways to improve the ferry such as seating and safety railings.

Short term service improvements

The new constract to run the ferry service incorporates the following:

Continuous operation of ferry between opening and closing times (i.e. no meal breaks).
Regular reviews of contractor performance.

The RTA will also:

Upgrade existing signage and install new signage at various locations.
Improve communications to the ferry operator on both the NSW and Victorian sides.
Investigate processes for emergency use of the ferry.

The gate on the Victorian side of Lake Hume has been removed.

Long term service improvements

The RTA will investigate the feasibility of the remaining recommendations. In particular the RTA will examine:

Excavation and improvement works at the ferry site.
Providing an alternative crossing when the ferry is out of operation.
Increasing the load capacity on the ferry.

What happens next?

The RTA will review ferry patronage and the effectiveness of the implemented recommendations a year after the new contract starts.

A contract for the operationof the Wymah Ferry has been awarded. Mr Michael Fabik of Wymah is to run the service from June 2009.

Operating hours

For information on operating hours or to contact the ferry operator click here.

For further information

Wymah Ferry project manager
Peter Johnson
Ph: (02) 6937 1642
Fax: (02) 6937 1109
Email: Wagga_Wagga_Regional_Office@rta.nsw.gov.au