Auckland’s first plug-in electric-hybrid fast ferry is planned to enter service this month! It will serve the Devonport to Downtown Auckland route. The charging station isn’t finished yet, so it’ll be using its diesel engine for the time being.
As well as 300 passengers, the ferries have covered parking for 28 bikes. Ebikes are allowed. This covered bike parking is like that of the Waiheke ferry today. We like covered parking, as it reduces issues of rust (from sea salt in the air), especially for regular ferry – bike commuters.
Bike Auckland and our generous volunteers helped test the bike parking on the electric ferries during design stages. In particular, Bike Auckland wanted to make sure the bike parking would have accessible options for different types of bikes.
It’s vital that new transport facilities like these ferries are designed with the full range of users in mind – that includes people who use adaptive bikes as a mobility aid. We made sure to invite a wide range of users and bike types to be part of early testing.
We can’t wait to take our bikes on the new ferries. Let us know your experience.
