Robin Sandell
@urbanferryist.bsky.social
Making ferries work as public transport.
And a ferry wharf just across the road
November 14, 2025 at 3:36 AM
And a ferry wharf just across the road
I’ve been spoiled - a week-end away on Pittwater for my birthday.
November 14, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I’ve been spoiled - a week-end away on Pittwater for my birthday.
Before it was built, I was skeptical about the value of the Pier Pavillion. Changed my mind now - it’s a magnet for Barangaroo office workers at lunch-time.
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Before it was built, I was skeptical about the value of the Pier Pavillion. Changed my mind now - it’s a magnet for Barangaroo office workers at lunch-time.
This is a great website on station access and line transfers in cities around the world (mainly European). Look at Milan Centrale station for great access points. Sydney Metro stations are not really like this. stations.albertguillaumes.cat
November 4, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This is a great website on station access and line transfers in cities around the world (mainly European). Look at Milan Centrale station for great access points. Sydney Metro stations are not really like this. stations.albertguillaumes.cat
There’s a lot of treasures to be discovered in Sydney. This is one I discovered at Open Sydney today.
November 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
There’s a lot of treasures to be discovered in Sydney. This is one I discovered at Open Sydney today.
The new seat covers on the Emerald Class ferries have been a good move. Much easier to clean than the old ones.
October 3, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The new seat covers on the Emerald Class ferries have been a good move. Much easier to clean than the old ones.
These comments from the NSW Govt suggest a lack of ambition in transport. No confidence it can plan new projects to completion - better to have no long term planning so we can’t be criticised for not doing what we promised.
September 15, 2025 at 9:09 PM
These comments from the NSW Govt suggest a lack of ambition in transport. No confidence it can plan new projects to completion - better to have no long term planning so we can’t be criticised for not doing what we promised.
Good ferry service from Chiswick.
August 25, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Good ferry service from Chiswick.
Ruby Payne Scott loads passengers at Balmain West wharf this morning. First day for the reopening of Balmain West wharf.
August 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Ruby Payne Scott loads passengers at Balmain West wharf this morning. First day for the reopening of Balmain West wharf.
Some things take a long time don’t they? This is the latest post on the Watsons Bay wharf upgrade site - looks like responses to feedback on the design for the new wharf haven’t been finalised yet - 2.5 years after consultations closed.
July 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Some things take a long time don’t they? This is the latest post on the Watsons Bay wharf upgrade site - looks like responses to feedback on the design for the new wharf haven’t been finalised yet - 2.5 years after consultations closed.
This is some salutary information from NZ electric ferry designers EV Maritime - 75% of Auckland's ferry services burn more fuel than the car journeys they replace. Sydney's numbers may be a little different but the principle is the same - decarbonising Sydney ferries needs to be a high priority.
July 23, 2025 at 4:47 AM
This is some salutary information from NZ electric ferry designers EV Maritime - 75% of Auckland's ferry services burn more fuel than the car journeys they replace. Sydney's numbers may be a little different but the principle is the same - decarbonising Sydney ferries needs to be a high priority.
An almost empty Freshwater Class ferry on the 10.45 sailing to Manly. Beautiful still sunny day in Sydney, but most people prefer a fast ferry.
July 9, 2025 at 1:05 AM
An almost empty Freshwater Class ferry on the 10.45 sailing to Manly. Beautiful still sunny day in Sydney, but most people prefer a fast ferry.
Fish waste on a ferry wharf seat. Do people who fish at ferry wharves think this is ok?
July 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Fish waste on a ferry wharf seat. Do people who fish at ferry wharves think this is ok?
That didn’t age well.
July 1, 2025 at 9:14 PM
That didn’t age well.
Why is it that the Freshwater Class ferries are cancelled in rough weather, while the smaller Manly Fast Ferry cats continue sailing? Answer: the Freshwaters don’t handle bad weather very well.
July 1, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Why is it that the Freshwater Class ferries are cancelled in rough weather, while the smaller Manly Fast Ferry cats continue sailing? Answer: the Freshwaters don’t handle bad weather very well.
The little coves at Barangaroo are a sun trap in winter, making them a magnet for the lunch-time crowds.
June 11, 2025 at 2:45 AM
The little coves at Barangaroo are a sun trap in winter, making them a magnet for the lunch-time crowds.
On the F10 route today for the first time since a stop was added at Pirrama Park, Pyrmont Bay. Turnarounds at both terminals are about 4 mins, 3 more than what is necessary - so close, but so far from having an agreeable cycle time of 30 mins (ie also 30 min headways). 40 min headways are a pain!
April 16, 2025 at 6:10 AM
On the F10 route today for the first time since a stop was added at Pirrama Park, Pyrmont Bay. Turnarounds at both terminals are about 4 mins, 3 more than what is necessary - so close, but so far from having an agreeable cycle time of 30 mins (ie also 30 min headways). 40 min headways are a pain!
Not seeing any heritage references in the revamped Paddy’s Market. Looks like a cheap and nasty Westfield.
March 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Not seeing any heritage references in the revamped Paddy’s Market. Looks like a cheap and nasty Westfield.
Manly Fast Ferry and Newcastle Ferry numbers are now being reported separately from Sydney Ferries patronage - but some bugs need to be ironed out clearly.
March 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Manly Fast Ferry and Newcastle Ferry numbers are now being reported separately from Sydney Ferries patronage - but some bugs need to be ironed out clearly.
On paper, the 442 bus is a high frequency service with 10 minute headways. In reality the buses often bunch and it’s a bloody pain.
March 12, 2025 at 5:04 AM
On paper, the 442 bus is a high frequency service with 10 minute headways. In reality the buses often bunch and it’s a bloody pain.
I’m with Clover on this
February 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I’m with Clover on this
Is there a bakery in Sydney that makes sourdough bread without big holes in it? I’ve yet to find one.
February 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Is there a bakery in Sydney that makes sourdough bread without big holes in it? I’ve yet to find one.
The return adult ferry fare to Barangaroo from Syd Olym Park is almost $18. River fleet capacity is not sufficient to cope with the uptick in demand if Sydney goes down the “Qld route” of 50 cent public transport fares.
February 18, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The return adult ferry fare to Barangaroo from Syd Olym Park is almost $18. River fleet capacity is not sufficient to cope with the uptick in demand if Sydney goes down the “Qld route” of 50 cent public transport fares.
Parramatta river commuter ferries are getting close to capacity. It seems odd that inner harbour routes with less demand operate the big boats (400 cap.) while the River gets the little boats (200 cap.)
February 17, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Parramatta river commuter ferries are getting close to capacity. It seems odd that inner harbour routes with less demand operate the big boats (400 cap.) while the River gets the little boats (200 cap.)