Port Phillip Bay ferry service trial from Portarlington to Melbourne planned for 2016
Updated
Melbourne may soon have another way of commuting, with plans for the trial of a new ferry service across Port Phillip Bay to service the city's growing west touted for next year.
Businessman Paul Little has been in discussions with the operators of Sydney's ferry services about his plan to run catamarans from the Bellarine Peninsula to Docklands in the city's CBD.
Mr Little said the services would provide another option for Melbourne's booming western growth corridor.
"[It would service] Portarlington and Wyndham essentially, and ultimately Point Cook," he told 774 ABC Melbourne.
"It's mainly directed at the western side of Port Phillip Bay, running commuter ferries and trying to take some of the pressure off the roads."
He said there were speed restrictions in the Yarra River, which were being negotiated, but the ferries would be capable of easily reaching 25 knots.
Mr Little believed it would be quicker to take a ferry from Port Arlington to the city than to drive.
"We're looking at a transit time of probably around 40 minutes, which compares favourably with trying to battle over the West Gate," he said.
"Our plan is to berth our ferries at Collins Landing, which is the bottom end of Collins Street."
Ferry plans long overdue: Melbourne Mayor
Melbourne Mayor Robert Doyle threw his support behind the proposal and said it was long overdue.
"Paul [Little] has come in to talk to me about it, they [still] have to do the final business case," Cr Doyle said.
The fact that a business figure like Paul Little is behind it gives you a great deal of confidence.
Robert Doyle, Melbourne mayor
"The biggest thing was always going to be the acquisition of the vessels, that was always going to be the major hurdle, now they do have access to that I think it's a goer.
"I think it's a wonderful idea and long overdue in our city.
"The fact that a business figure like Paul Little is behind it gives you a great deal of confidence that this is a business case that will stack up."
Mr Little said the Andrews Government had been "very supportive" of the idea, and planned for a three-month trial of the service early next year.
"If you look at major ferry services, and of course Sydney is the classic one but there are any number in major cities in Asian countries, they all access the water as an alternative," he said.
"It will never replace rail and road, nor is it intended to, but for some people a ferry service has a lot of appeal.
"It's always struck me that Melbourne has always had the opportunity to do that but has never moved forward on that."
Topics: states-and-territories, community-and-society, melbourne-3000, vic
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