TOP STORY: Harbour ferry set to weigh anchor

By John Cousins and Paul Dykes
The dream of cruising to work free from traffic hassles is about to become a reality for commuters as a new fast-ferry service starts on Saturday in Tauranga.
A privately owned catamaran is set to convert the daily rush-hour torment for many into a 13-minute pleasure trip on the harbour - with the backing of civic leaders.
Mike Calvert, Tauranga City Council's transportation planner, said the ferry service fitted in perfectly with the council's integrated transport strategy and the service was also endorsed by the city's Chamber of Commerce.
"It's an excellent concept," Mr Calvert said. "Unless people are willing to start looking at alternative ways of travelling around the city, it's going to be a chore. Anything that can make a difference is worthwhile."
Jane Nees, chief executive of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, said it would be great to have another alternative for business commuters. "We know our transport infrastructure is giving us problems in Tauranga. This is good news."
Mr Calvert said the city council was strong on promoting means of transport other than cars and was also keen to make better use of the harbour.
He said free parking would be made available at either end of the ferry route and bus timetables were being looked at to synchronise them with the ferry schedule.
"Other harbour cities around the world use ferries and they build up a significant patronage that does make a difference."
He said the flow would not be one-way, with many people travelling from the city side to the industrial areas of the Mount.
The promoters - retired English sea captain Roger Leigh and his wife Jean - have also introduced touches that will make the crossing special, such as providing free home baking and fruit juice.
"We are trying to be better than what people expect us to be," Mrs Leigh said, with enthusiasm.
At a time of life when most people are looking forward to taking it easy, this migrant couple are ready to confound those who have privately shaken their heads at the prospect of a profitable scheduled ferry service between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga's downtown.
Tired of running English country pubs, they decided to move to New Zealand. After a good look around, they fell in love with Tauranga and the opportunities offered on the harbour.
They have scarcely been able to believe the no-obstacles mentality that accompanied their quest to offer commuters another alternative to peak-hour congestion has worked.
"In the UK, we would never be able to do what we have here," said the former air hostess, who thrives on work.
Doors opened everywhere and the couple were astonished that they were never fobbed off by bureaucracy - even when the Leighs were forced to eat their words and apply for a subsidy from Environment Bay of Plenty.
Huge increases in the price of fuel needed to drive their twin diesel-engined catamaran Orca was the main reason that drove the Leighs to seek a way of keeping prices competitive with Bay Hopper buses.
The $25,000 annual subsidy has allowed them to charge $2.90 per trip on a 10-trip concession ticket.
Mrs Leigh said they could not have timed their business venture better if they had tried.
It coincided with the Tauranga City Council and the regional council making an all-out effort to get people out of their cars and into public transport.
"We were welcomed with open arms ... it has been a win-win for us and the town," Mrs Leigh said.
Which is not to say that every aspect of the $250,000 refit of the Orca has not been minutely examined by maritime officials, right down to their last hurdle - that the wake would not upset little boats.
Now that the 30-seat ferry is ready, the Leighs can also offer harbour cruises outside commuting hours.
The one-hour cruises costing adults $15 will leave from the pontoon on the southern side of the Kestrel.
Saturday's inaugural sailing takes place at 8am, although on Monday the first crossing leaves Tauranga at 7.20am. The Orca even stows bikes for passengers who want to pedal to the terminals.