JOINT MEDIA RELEASE:
Auckland Regional Council
Auckland Regional Transport Authority
13 July 2007

ARTA steps in to assist vulnerable island community

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) has stepped in with limited emergency ferry services to assist the island community of Rakino, following the recent cessation of their regular ferry service. The commercial service was run by Pine Harbour Ferries who disestablished the service.

The emergency ferry services will commence tomorrow, 14 July, to and from Rakino Island for a period of three months. The temporary services will be run by Pine Harbour Ferries.

ARTA stepped in following representation to the Chair of the Auckland Regional Council, Michael Lee by Rakino Island residents and ratepayers.

Auckland Regional Council Chairman, Michael Lee says, “I commend ARTA’s can do attitude. This problem was dumped on us at very short notice. I’m very pleased that ARTA has taken immediate steps to ensue that this island community is not isolated”.

ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie says, “The disestablishment of the service meant a gap in the provision of safe and adequate transportation to and from the island. ARTA is enabled to provide limited temporary emergency services in such instances.”

Regional Land Transport Committee chairman Joel Cayford says, “A permanent resolution to this problem needs to be found. Moving forward the ARC, ARTA and ferry operators will be working together on a way forward to ensure that the community of Rakino has appropriate access to adequate transportation to and from the island in the future.”

Mr Gammie says services to Rakino will operate as follows:

Saturday services:

To Rakino
Departing Pine Harbour 8.30am
Departing Waiheke 9.00am

To Pine Harbour
Departing Rakino 9.20am
Departing Waiheke 9.40am

Sunday services:

To Rakino
Departing Pine Harbour 4.30pm
Departing Waiheke 5.00pm

To Pine Harbour
Departing Rakino 5.20pm
Departing Waiheke 5.40pm

Emergency service fares:

Pine Harbour – Waiheke Pine Harbour – Rakino Waiheke – Rakino
Adult one way $15 $18 $12
Adult return $25 $30 $20
Senior/Student one way $9 $10 $7
Senior/Student return $15 $20 $12
Child one way $9 $10 $7
Child return $15 $20 $12
Family pass (2 adults, 2 children) $60 $80 $50

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