Extra ferry sailings added
More sailings are being added to the schedule for two popular ferry services.
From 17 October, Auckland Transport is adding six sailings a day to the Gulf Harbour route and four more to Half Moon Bay.
Meeting demand
Ferry Services Manager, Gareth Willis, says the extra services are to meet customer demand.
"We've experienced growth of 130 per cent over the past two years on the Gulf Harbour services. We've talked to our customers and they want more choice in time for the busy summer period."
The announcement follows several months of talks with the operator, 360 Discovery.
New sailing times
There will now be three peak morning sailings at 6.30am, 7.00am and 7.30am, and three peak afternoon sailings at 4.45pm, 5.15pm and 5.45pm, as well as new sailings in the middle of the day at 10.30am and 12.30pm from Auckland and 11.30am and 1.30pm from Gulf Harbour.
Half Moon Bay will have new sailings at 9.15am and 3.15pm from Half Moon Bay and at 8.35am and 2.30pm from Auckland.
Find out more about ferry services
New Half Moon Bay pier underway
Mr Willis says construction is well underway on the new pier at Half Moon Bay, which is due to open in early 2017. In the past two years patronage on services to Half Moon Bay has grown by 9 per cent.
The new pier will give more shelter to passengers and will have storage for bikes.