“From our community reaching their families and businesses have noticed a huge downturn in foot traffic as the island is no longer a financially accessible visit from Auckland. There can be no destination tourism without an affordable ferry.”
Passengers are now paying up to $59 for a return ticket to Waiheke Island after a price increase came into effect over the first weekend of July.
Those are peak-hour prices for standard adult tickets, which can be bought online for $4 cheaper.
“Waiheke residents are being held to ransom by private profit over community wellbeing and fair fares,” the letter from Fairer Ferry Fares said.
Fullers360 CEO Mike Horne disputed the protesters pricing claims and said the protest could “jeopardise the health and safety of passengers.”
“We are aware of a protest event taking place on Sunday, 16 July which has the potential to cause significant travel disruptions and, more importantly, jeopardise the health and safety of passengers, community members, and Fullers360 crew.”
Horne said the increased prices were for visitors travelling to Waiheke Island, not for residents or commuters using “a Fullers360 monthly pass or FlexiPass.”
“Our off-peak pricing, which sits at a 50% discount for $29.50 return, remains and it is only our on-peak pricing for infrequent adult visitors that has increased.”
Horne said there were increasing pressures on the service due to skill shortages but said the “services remain resilient and reliable.”
More than 50 complaints had been made to the Commerce Commission by March this year over Fullers360′s ferry services.
“We have had three boatloads of people waiting in queues some weekends,” a statement from locals read. “We have had an 80-year-old asleep on the benches on the wharf as he couldn’t afford accommodation in Auckland city.
“We have people miss [flights], operations, dental appointments, trains, weddings, funerals, family reunions and be late for work regularly. If we can’t catch Fullers we have to swim to Auckland.”
The residents also take issue with being excluded from the public transport subsidies Labour announced in their wellbeing Budget.
“The subsidies Waiheke have been excluded from are children between 5-12 ride free on public transport, discounted fares for up to 25 years old, plus 50 per cent off travel for community services cards, our most vulnerable community members.”
The residents want the Minister of Transport David Parker to bring Waiheke into Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) under Auckland Transport (AT) before the election.
“Waiheke Island is more than just a playground for the rich and privileged, we are a community and have the right to have accessible and affordable access to public transport. It is unacceptable that a private company has such control over, what should be, a public asset.”
The protest will be a peaceful, family-friendly event with speakers and music and at sea with a kayak flotilla directly next to the Fullers Ferry service, the group said.
“We are encouraging community members and allies to bring signs, banners, guitars, songs, orca and other ocean-themed costumes, family, tamariki and friends to show their support.”
Music performances include DJ Brooklyn & MJ Phair at Matiatia Bay and then The Planters will be playing at Ahipao.
Jaime Lyth is an Auckland-based reporter who covers crime. She joined the Herald in 2021 and has previously reported for The Northern Advocate.
