Stockton ferry use on the rise as commuters bypass stresses of traffic, parking and fuel costs

Opal card data shows the Stockton ferry is being used by an increasing number of people.

The ferry carried 48,242 passengers in March, the most in a month since last January and a 13.5 increase on the 42,490 in March, 2018.

It was also a 36 per cent rise on the 35,418 passengers in March, 2017.

Commuters the Newcastle Herald spoke to this week said the introduction of light rail had made the ferry an even more appealing option.

Renee Daymond, who started work in the city three months ago, drives from her home at Tanilba Bay and parks at Stockton.

"I hadn't caught public transport for such a long time, I didn't even have an Opal card," she said.

"From the time I get on the ferry, to get off the tram, it's 10 minutes. That's if the ferry lines up and it normally does, and because they've got the extra tram on now you really don't have to wait very long."

Ms Daymond said she saved $55 a week on city parking costs and substantial time by not driving.

Saving time is what attracted Genna Holland, of Lemon Tree Passage, to the ferry. She has used it daily for six months.

"I've never not caught the ferry," she said.

"I cut out all that waiting time over Stockton bridge. [Driving] takes 45 minutes usually, but it takes me about 15 minutes."

Stockton resident Danielle Sander uses the ferry when she works day shifts at James Fletcher Hospital.

"It's quicker and it's just a nicer way to end and start the day," she said.

"Going outside [and] going for a walk, rather than getting stuck in traffic."

Medowie's Alex Goodwin drives to Stockton but takes his bike on the ferry to complete the journey to work in Newcastle.

"It always seems to be busier," he said. "I think now the city's opened up, you've got the light rail, a beautiful day - you've got no reason not to."

However, Mr Goodwin said "you've got to be early" to park at Stockton ferry wharf.

Parking was raised as the top issue at a community meeting as far back as 2016, when City of Newcastle was pitching a public domain plan for Stockton.

The council still has plans to expand the car park and slated increasing the 120 dedicated spaces to more than 250 in late 2017.

A City spokesperson said the expansion would be considered "in the context of our new $2 million skate plaza, playground and picnic facilities" nearby and further consultation would take place "later this year".

Ferry patronage in the first quarter of 2019 reached 139,143, up from 132,104 in 2018 and 108,965 in 2017.

Patronage in 2018 increased to 516,000, up from 471,000 in 2017 and back towards annual patronage a decade earlier.

While part of the rise can be attributed to the number or school students using the service, Keolis Downer's corporate affairs director Andrew Fletcher said ferry frequency and the introduction of light rail had spurred patronage growth.

"The ferry is a critical part of Newcastle's integrated transport network for connecting customers north of the harbour and as a local icon," he said.

"Increasing the ferry's frequency to every 15 minutes during peak times, and 20 minutes outside of peak and on weekends, has given customers extra confidence in the service and contributed to the lift in patronage.

"The frequency of light rail services and the ease with which customers can transfer between modes at Queens Wharf has also had a positive impact."

Mr Fletcher said the refurbishment of one of the city's two ferries in 2018 had also improved the customer experience. The other ferry will be refurbished later this year.

RELATED CONTENT