Mid-term status report
A detailed "mid-term" report on TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries’ major achievements within its contract with Brisbane City Council was completed in 2007
...download the report (881kb PDF) 
1991-2003
- Prior to TransdevTSL being assigned the contract to operate and maintain Brisbane's CityCats and CityFerries, a company named River Connections was the contracted operator.
- River Connections was established in August 1991, and was originally responsible solely for the Council's CityFerry fleet.
- In 1995 River Connections acquired a Byron Street, Bulimba property and transformed it into a modern ship repair facility.
- The first four high-speed CityCat vessels were introduced in 1996, when River Connections had its contract with Brisbane City Council renewed.
- In response to strong growth in CityCat patronage, BCC added to the CityCat fleet with another two vessels launched later that year and then a further two in 1998, bringing the total number in the fleet to eight.
2003
- In November 2003, Brisbane City Council assigned MetroLink Queensland, a joint venture between Transdev Australia and Transfield Services, a seven-year contract to operate Brisbane’s CityCat and CityFerry services.
- MetroLink Queensland became responsible for the operational aspects of the ferry network, maintaining the ferry fleet and associated infrastructure, and marketing the ferry service to Brisbane residents and visitors.
2004
- TransLink, a Queensland government entity, was established to coordinate the integration of the South-East Queensland public transport system. TransLink provides one single public transport network covering south-east Queensland from Gympie North/Noosa to Coolangatta and west to Helidon.
- Integrated ticketing was introduced in July 2004 to ensure a consistent fare structure across trains, buses and Brisbane City Council ferries. Just one TransLink ticket will take you wherever you want to go on buses, trains and ferries within this new system. Zones, fares and concessions are standardised across the system, providing one set of rules for everyone.
- On 1 August 2004 Brisbane City Council's first "New Generation" CityCat, named Beenung-urrung (indigenous term for Highgate Hill), was launched and entered service one week later.
- This new CityCat featured a sleek design with larger side windows and increased seating outside the cabin (the most popular part of the boat). It carries 162 passengers and 3 crew members.
- To coincide with the launch of Beenung-urrung, a new CityCat timetable was introduced. This provided a significantly higher level of service, with CityCat operating hours increasing by 12.5% to 36,000 hours per annum.
- The combination of TransLink integrated ticketing, the arrival of Beenung-urrung and the introduction of the new CityCat timetable contributed to a 26% increase in passenger numbers in August 2004.
- In December 2004 the CityFerry network was restructured. Key improvements included more late night services to Kangaroo Point and the integration of Cross River and Inner City Services to Holman Street and Thornton Street. A new full-colour timetable was also introduced.
2005
- In June 2005 the second New Generation CityCat, Tunamun (indigenous term for Petrie Bight), was introduced in response to continuous growth in demand for CityCat services.
- 2005 also saw the establishment of MetroLink Queensland’s Marine Training Centre at Quay Street Bulimba, and a refit program for the First Generation CityCats. This involved new engines and transmissions for all eight First Generation vessels.
2006
- An improved CityCat timetable was introduced in April 2006, leading to an increase in CityCat operating hours by 12.5% to 40,000 hours per annum.
- In June 2006 MetroLink Queensland’s new fuel barge "Tenacious" was launched. The 5,000 litre capacity vessel supplies fuel to the CityFerry fleet.
- A state-of-the-art new marine straddle carrier was installed at the Byron Street, Bulimba facility in early October.
- Later that month MetroLink Queensland received the quality assurance certification ISO 9001:2000 from auditor Bureau Veritas.
- November marked the 10th anniversary of CityCat services commencing – a major milestone celebrated by Brisbane City Council and MetroLink Queensland.
- In 2006, over 5.9 million people travelled on the ferry network.
2007
- In January 2007, the cross river CityFerry service between Norman Park and New Farm Park was reinstated, bringing the number of operational terminals within the network to 22.
- In January 2007, the cross river CityFerry service between Norman Park and New Farm Park was reinstated, bringing the number of operational terminals within the network to 22.
- Later in the year, MetroLink Queensland received a "Golden Angel Award for Marketing" for the CityCat 10th birthday campaign.
- At the end of October 2007, patronage growth since MetroLink Queensland commenced its contract in November 2003 reached 78 per cent.
- In December 2007 Transfield Services announced that MetroLink Queensland had won the Franco Belgiorno-Nettis (FBN) Award for 2007 – the highest team recognition a business unit or site within the company can achieve.
2008
- Transfield Services and Transdev officially launched the “TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries” entity, leading to the eventual phasing out of the MetroLink Queensland brand.
- Brisbane City Council’s 11th CityCat, Meeandah, entered into service on 4 February 2008.
- To coincide with this, a new CityCat timetable was introduced, and the Apollo Road terminal in Bulimba was reopened and integrated into the CityCat network.
- In March 2008, TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries won the “Operator and Service Provider Excellence” category at the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) National Infrastructure Awards.
- Brisbane City Council’s 12th CityCat, Wilwinpa, was launched by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman on 5 June 2008, and has allowed for the provision of additional weekday peak and off-peak services since 23 June 2008.
- In October 2008, TransdevTSL Brisbane Ferries won the Queensland Medium Business category at the Australian Service Excellence Awards 2007/08, and was also awarded a Highly Commended in the same category at the National level.
- Brisbane City Council’s 13th CityCat, Ya-wa-gara, was launched by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman on 13 November 2008, allowing for the provision of additional CityCat services from 17 November 2008.
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