Auckland Transport (AT) and Fullers360 have announced that alternative transport will be in place this weekend for some ferry customers due to a critical shortage of maritime crew.
All Half Moon Bay and inner harbour loop services (Birkenhead, Bayswater and Te Onewa/Northcote Point) will be cancelled on Saturday and Sunday and will be replaced by alternative transport.
Fullers360 said there may be further delays to Waiheke Island, Hobsonville Point and Devonport services.
Affected services include:
Saturday 25 March
- 07:40 AKL – HMB & 08:30 HMB -AKL - Uber/Taxi replacement
- 09:55 AKL – HMB & 10:45 HMB - AKL - Bus replacement
- 12:25 AKL – HMB & 13:15 HMB - AKL - Bus replacement
- 14:55 AKL – HMB & 15:45 HMB – AKL - Bus replacement
- 18:10 AKL – HMB & 19:00 HMB -AKL- Uber/Taxi replacement
- 23:00 AKL – HMB & 23:45 HMB-AKL- Uber/Taxi replacement
Sunday 26 March
- 07:40 AKL – HMB & 08:30 HMB-AKL- Uber/Taxi replacement
- 09:55 AKL – HMB & 10:45 HMB - AKL - Bus replacement
- 12:25 AKL – HMB & 13:15 HMB - AKL - Bus replacement
- 14:55 AKL – HMB & 15:45 HMB - AKL - Bus replacement
- 18:10 AKL – HMB & 19:00 HMB-AKL- Uber/Taxi replacement
Fullers360 CEO Mike Horne acknowledged that cancelled services are a last resort and that alternative transport options will be in place. He added that the company, along with all transport and tourism operators in New Zealand, has been faced with the challenge of running ferry services during the peak summer season with a critical shortage of skilled employees.
Horne anticipates that these cancellations will be a one-off due to higher levels of staff sickness and necessary staff leave.
AT’s Group Manager of Metro Services Darek Koper recognised the shortage of skilled maritime workers is being felt across the industry.
He added the organisation will work closely with Fullers360 this weekend to minimise the impact of cancelled and disrupted services. Koper apologised to any customers affected by these disruptions.
Customers impacted by the cancellations are encouraged to use the AT Journey Planner: www.AT.govt.nz/JourneyPlanner and AT Mobile app to plan their journey.
