Sign in

Robin Sandell

@urbanferryist.bsky.social
113 followers 198 following 189 posts

Making ferries work as public transport.

PostsRepliesMedia
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
If there were two berths available for Sydney Ferries at the Manly terminal, then the indulgence of retaining the slow ferries could be understandable. As there’s only one berth, they only serve to mess up the schedule for the fast Emerald class boats. Best to scrap all the slow Manly ferries.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Perth is not usually associated with advanced urban ferry systems, but that's changing. A new route between Elizabeth Quay and Applecross (with an intermediate stop at Matilda Bay) is planned to start in 2027. Another line running up river is under consideration. www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/A...
pta.wa.gov.au
100
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Hamburg ferries use hydraulically deployed gangways - a much better option than manual deployment. One of the advantages of having a fleet with consistent freeboard.
110
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
The pontoons at some ferry stops in the Hamburg ferry system are huge
110
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This battery electric ferry in Lisbon carries up to 540 passengers. No charging at turnarounds - according to the decky I spoke to, charging is overnight, just like an electric bus, so dwells are no longer than a diesel ferry.
100
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Trials of Sydney Ferries’ first battery electric powered vessel to start in 2028 www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
smh.com.au
Sydney’s first electric ferry two years off as ambitions for entire fleet sink
Installing charging infrastructure at wharves is expected to one of the main challenges in running electric ferries on Sydney’s popular routes.
042
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...
abc.net.au
'Hard to break the habit': Why free public transport isn't enough to shift from cars
Free public transport is a popular policy, but researchers say it's not enough to convince drivers to leave the car at home.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
F10 Blackwattle Bay ferry now on Opal! “Passengers can now tap on and off and benefit from fare caps and seamless connections with the wider public transport network.” “Seamless connections” is a stretch. F4 and F10 transfers at Barangaroo are hit and miss. www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-eve...
transport.nsw.gov.au
Opal switched on at Pirrama Park Wharf and Blackwattle Bay Wharf
Pyrmont ferry passengers can now tap on and off with Opal at Pirrama Park Wharf and Blackwattle Bay Wharf.
001
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
First time for me on the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. This is one of four exits at Parkville Station - an exit direct to a street footpath. Wish there were more of these on the Sydney Metro.
180
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Wentworth Park light rail station has been upgraded for the new Sydney Fish Market, apparently. There's only one opal reader on the outbound platform and it wasn't working today. About five comms people in flouro vests were telling passengers either don't tap or cross the line to the other platform.
232
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
You actually can catch a ferry to the new fish market - but obviously not many people know about it.
030
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
The good thing about keeping everyone outside in a queue for over an hour is that it’s actually not that busy inside.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
The problem with the new fish market is not so much how to get there - the real issue is how to get inside. Queue must be over 300m
120
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Sydney ferry patronage, including the Manly Fast Ferry, was up 1.7% in the 2025 calendar year, compared to 2024: 2024: 17.865 M 2025: 18.162 M Increase: 1.7%
130
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Is a ferry to the new Fish Market even necessary? The light rail line will be more frequent and a metro station will open nearby in 2032. The water corridor from Barangaroo is slow and circuitous.
142
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
This is welcome news! - a ferry shuttle from Balmain East to Barangaroo straight after fireworks have finished. A big improvement over last year’s dangerous situation, but will also require effective crowd management on the wharf and landside.
112
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Are the passenger information displays for Dulwich Hill light rail faulty? Rarely seem to display the correct real time.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
How the Sydney Opera House and well designed ferry schedules have something in common robinsandell.substack.com/p/periodic-s...
robinsandell.substack.com
Periodic Scheduling for Ferries
How the Sydney Opera House and well designed ferry schedules have something in common
020
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
I’ve been spoiled - a week-end away on Pittwater for my birthday.
120
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Before it was built, I was skeptical about the value of the Pier Pavillion. Changed my mind now - it’s a magnet for Barangaroo office workers at lunch-time.
000
Reposted by Robin Sandell
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
73% of Copenhageners don’t own a car, and the city has made huge strides reclaiming public space for people that had been previously surrendered to cars. Now candidates in the upcoming city election want to prioritize “car storage” again. Not surprisingly, @colville-andersen.com isn’t holding back.
youtube.com
Debunking political myths about car #parking in #copenhagen #kv25 #cities #cars
YouTube video by Coolville feat.:The Life-Sized City
313347
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
This is a great website on station access and line transfers in cities around the world (mainly European). Look at Milan Centrale station for great access points. Sydney Metro stations are not really like this. stations.albertguillaumes.cat
130
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
An excellent piece by @Darrendavis.bsky.social on the transformation of Auckland’s bus network. adventuresintransitland.substack.com?utm_source=n...
adventuresintransitland.substack.com
Adventures in Transitland | Darren Davis | Substack
Musings about public transport and other cool stuff in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and around the globe. Click to read Adventures in Transitland, by Darren Davis, a Substack publication with hundreds of sub...
021
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
It’s one of the striking differences between US and Australian cities - almost no one drives to a stadium in Australia. They take public transport instead.
6792
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
There’s a lot of treasures to be discovered in Sydney. This is one I discovered at Open Sydney today.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
There are good reasons for pausing redevelopment of Circular Quay. One is the need to first develop a strategy for introducing a battery electric ferry fleet, with big implications for wharf design and the network as a whole. www.architectureanddesign.com.au/editorial/op...
architectureanddesign.com.au
Broken Wharves or Big Visions at Circular Quay | Architecture & Design
Every state government since has declared the importance of Circular Quay as a major urban and infrastructure space. As The Sydney Morning Herald’s editorial noted this week, the Liberal government of...
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
smh.com.au
‘It’s come to a complete stop’: Why you’ll be waiting a while to see Circular Quay upgraded
The long-promised revamp is at a standstill despite concerns being repeatedly raised over the years about the wharves reaching the end of their working lives.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Always impressed at how easily Sydney Trains handles a big crowd leaving Sydney Olympic Park Stadium. Really well designed station, which will be supplemented by the new metro service from 2032.
020
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
The new seat covers on the Emerald Class ferries have been a good move. Much easier to clean than the old ones.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Just watched 126 people disembark a ferry at Milsons Point in 2 mins 51 secs. That’s 45 per minute. Many other cities do far better. Vessel/wharf interface design is so important for reliability and efficient capacity utilisation, but little priority is given to it in Sydney.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
These comments from the NSW Govt suggest a lack of ambition in transport. No confidence it can plan new projects to completion - better to have no long term planning so we can’t be criticised for not doing what we promised.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
I’m shocked - 38 passengers boarded at Balmain West for the 0806 sailing this morning. But little demand at either Chiswick (3, including me) or Drummoyne (6). The service doesn’t work for the river pax as it’s too much of a diversion into Balmain West - adds 7 mins to the journey.
110
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Good ferry service from Chiswick.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
Canada Bay Mayor calls for ferry wharf at Rhodes on ABC radio this morning. I feared this after Balmain West wharf reopened. Everyone wants a ferry wharf, but not every location is suitable. Navigable channel at Rhodes is a long way from the shore. Long ramp reqd, stopping other uses of the waterway
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
I’m less concerned about the Wynyard LR stop location than the stop between Wynyard and Town Hall. It should be equidistant between the two (Strand Arcade), instead of QVB. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
smh.com.au
How Merivale’s powerful political ties helped move a light rail stop
The hospitality giant’s chief executive, Justin Hemmes, has spent a decade cultivating his contacts at the top of the Liberal Party.
130
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Understanding network topology is vital for good design of public transport systems. Here's something I've posted about its applications to urban ferries robinsandell.substack.com/p/network-to...
robinsandell.substack.com
Network Topology
How network structure affects the usefulness of a ferry system
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Ruby Payne Scott loads passengers at Balmain West wharf this morning. First day for the reopening of Balmain West wharf.
120
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
How direct is your ferry line? open.substack.com/pub/robinsan...
open.substack.com
Circuity
How direct is your ferry line?
001
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Will transitioning from diesel to battery electric propulsion mean longer turnarounds at terminals for urban transit ferries? Bigger fleets and pressure on terminal capacity? Maybe, but there are ways to minimise the impact. substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
Decarbonising Urban Transit Ferries
Will we need bigger fleets and more berth capacity when transitioning to battery electric ferries? Not necessarily, but longer turnarounds at terminals need to be offset by time savings elsewhere - an...
021
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
The new timetable for the F3 Parramatta ferry route, to take effect from 18 August, is now available. It’s good news for Balmain West as the journey to Barangaroo is scheduled to take just 15 minutes. transportnsw.info/documents/ti...
transportnsw.info
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Some things take a long time don’t they? This is the latest post on the Watsons Bay wharf upgrade site - looks like responses to feedback on the design for the new wharf haven’t been finalised yet - 2.5 years after consultations closed.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
This is some salutary information from NZ electric ferry designers EV Maritime - 75% of Auckland's ferry services burn more fuel than the car journeys they replace. Sydney's numbers may be a little different but the principle is the same - decarbonising Sydney ferries needs to be a high priority.
010
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Ferries are returning to Balmain West wharf on 18 August. It's an additional sub line on the Parramatta River with stops at Huntleys Pt, Drummoyne and BW, terminating at Barangaroo. Shouldn't disadvantage existing F3 passengers but headways are long - 60 mins transportnsw.info/news/2025/ba...
transportnsw.info
Balmain West Wharf to return to F3 Parramatta River route
Balmain West Wharf will return to the F3 Parramatta River ferry route from Monday 18 August.
331
Reposted by Robin Sandell
Benjamin Pope @benjaminpope.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
@secondmentions.bsky.social today in the Herald: "A whale frolicking in Circular Quay thrilled commuters and forced ferries to stop and watch the show as the *migratory giant* surfaced from the glittering waters on a sightseeing trip that ticked off Luna Park, the Opera House and Garden Island."
smh.com.au
‘It’s hump day!’ Whale at Circular Quay stops ferries
A whale frolicking in the harbour has delayed ferries and delighted Sydneysiders as it takes a tour of one of Australia’s busiest waterways.
0214
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
An almost empty Freshwater Class ferry on the 10.45 sailing to Manly. Beautiful still sunny day in Sydney, but most people prefer a fast ferry.
110
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Fish waste on a ferry wharf seat. Do people who fish at ferry wharves think this is ok?
000
Reposted by Robin Sandell
Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
The Philadelphia area transit agency SEPTA is facing 45% service cuts, thanks to the Pennsylvania legislature. Not since the mid-20th century has the US seen a major urban transit network dismantled on this scale. Chicago could be next. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Philadelphia Transit System Votes to Cut Service by 45%, Hike Fares
Philadelphia’s largest transit system approved sweeping service cuts and fare hikes as it struggles to deal with a gaping budget deficit.
1819986
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Why is it that the Freshwater Class ferries are cancelled in rough weather, while the smaller Manly Fast Ferry cats continue sailing? Answer: the Freshwaters don’t handle bad weather very well.
110
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Chris Taylor accurately sums up the Balmain zeitgeist www.smh.com.au/national/can...
smh.com.au
Can Balmain get its groove back? Well, it depends
The pubs in Balmain and Rozelle can now stay open until 2am. NIMBYs, stand down.
000
Robin Sandell @urbanferryist.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Technical trials of Auckland’s first all electric fast ferry started today. Like Sydney’s diesel Parramatta class boats, it’s 24m long, carries 200 pax and has a top speed of 25 knots. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/wat...
nzherald.co.nz
Watch: Auckland’s first electric ferry is on the water - but chargers way behind schedule
PLUS: Ferry's Auckland designer wins huge US contract.
100