Fare rise to affect 1200 travellers

Commuters from Waiheke Island to Auckland face a double-bite of higher ferry fares and new car-parking charges at their Matiatia gateway.

Ferry operator Fullers blames rising diesel costs for fare rises it intends introducing next Monday, of between 2 per cent and 6 per cent, on 20 daily non-subsidised Waiheke sailings used by over 1200 commuters.

Although oil companies cut their retail diesel price 4c on Monday, to 93.9c a litre, it remains almost 20c higher than in December.

Fullers cannot yet raise fares on other services, for which it receives subsidies or concession fare rebates, but a spokesman said that the Auckland Regional Transport Authority was considering if these too should be allowed an annual cost-related increase.

Adult return fares from Waiheke will rise from $25.50c to $26, and the price of a monthly pass goes up from $245 to $260, compounding a similar 6 per cent increase last year.

The company is also trying to save fuel by slowing down off-peak ferries and handing to other operators its tourism service to the Tiritiri Matangi wildlife sanctuary and the Rakino Island mail run.

General manager Michael Fitchett said reducing engine speeds would lengthen the 35-minute trip to Auckland by only a minute or so, without interfering with timetables. The Waiheke Ferry Users Group accepts higher diesel prices are putting the ferry operator under pressure to recover costs, but is furious at an Auckland City Council plan to introduce a $6 daily carparking charge to public land at Matiatia.

"It seems pretty rapacious - the community of Waiheke is under huge attack from officers of Auckland City," said group spokesman Vern Whitehead. He feared these and a proposed increase in a 51c-a-trip council wharf "tax" might deter some from living on Waiheke and travelling to Auckland.

Council staff could not be reached for comment on a recommendation due before the Waiheke Community Board tonight for a $6 charge on weekdays and $3 a day at weekends. Mr Fitchett wondered why the council was introducing charges at a ferry terminal when it wanted to boost rail patronage with free "park and ride" facilities on the mainland.