NSWs first commercial electric ferry hits the harbour

The new electric ferry service covers a short, regular route between Barangaroo and Pyrmont and enables multimodal travel and interchange for commuters travelling from the city and the inner west, and provides additional convenience for visitors and tourists to the precinct’s many restaurants, bars, attractions and hotels. The service operates daily and costs $2.90 per journey. Opal Cards and most debit and credit cards are accepted.

The two Australian built vessels, Barangaroo and Wallaru, were converted to electrification in New South Wales, running on 28.8kWh rechargeable batteries that charge to full in just 2.5 hours and enable 7 hours of operation per charge.

There are considerable environmental benefits to electric ferries compared to diesel with the new vessels not only saving 40,000 litres of diesel a year and 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions, but they are also much quieter than diesel ferries.

NRMA Group CEO Rohan Lund said “This is an incredibly exciting initiative by NRMA and My Fast Ferry – it’s about our long-term commitment to sustainable transport and a demonstration that NSW can stay on the cutting edge of emerging technologies that enhance commuter experiences,” Mr Lund said.

“NRMA is proud to operate the My Fast Ferry service, which has been such a vital part of city’s transit infrastructure for so long. We have a passion for innovation as demonstrated by this new electric ferry technology.

“This initiative is the latest example of the NRMA’s strong and continuing support of the electrification of transport in Australia and we are working closely with the NSW and Australian Governments in delivering on these outcomes.”