Spirit of Tasmania moving in Victoria

Spirit Of Tasmania wrote:

New Victorian home for Spirit of Tasmania

TT-Line Company Pty Ltd will move its Victorian port operations for Spirit of Tasmania from Station Pier, Port Melbourne, to Corio Quay, north of Geelong.
The new 12 hectare dedicated site will include a purpose designed passenger terminal building, a passenger vehicle marshalling area for 600 cars, more efficient passenger vehicle check in, security facilities, public amenities, a cafe, children’s play area and a pet exercise area.
TT-Line Chairman Michael Grainger said the move to Geelong provided the company with a unique opportunity to enhance the passenger experience and provide room to expand its freight offering in line with demand for many years to come.
“The company’s operations are often negatively impacted by significant congestion in the greater Port Melbourne area, particularly when cruise ships are in port, that causes delays in loading and discharge of passengers,” he said.
“Further, it is our view that these issues will only worsen in the future.
“Passenger feedback on this part of our operations has been critical, with passengers citing boarding queues of up to two-and-a-half-hours, which in turn impacts the sailing schedule.
“It has had an increasingly negative impact on our ability to deliver the level of service required for efficient operations, and highlighted further potential issues with TT-Line’s new Spirit of Tasmania vessels coming on line and construction of associated infrastructure.”
Mr Grainger said Independent research of passengers identified three key elements that supported a move to Geelong – a location that was easy to get to, ease of
check-in procedures and a lack of traffic getting to and from the terminal.
“The Corio Quay solution ticks those three boxes and alleviates all of the current operational constraints that exist at Station Pier,” he said.
“A new port base at Geelong is also expected to lead to increased passenger growth that would benefit the Tasmanian tourism industry from secondary markets of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, as well as increased passenger growth from regional Victoria.”
Mr Grainger said the company would maintain its “last to leave, first to arrive” freight service.
“The new Geelong facility will feature a dedicated freight terminal, streamlined and segregated passenger and freight entry and exit points, 150 truck parking bays and a 24/7 secure freight yard.
“The new freight yard will enable cargo pick up and drop off at any time, day or night, with access to heavy transport approved roads.
“This will alleviate the current freight constraints of Station Pier which requires freight to be
collected immediately on discharge.
“The new facility will be located 40 minutes from 80 per cent of our Victorian -based freight
customers and 55 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD.”

barry_mcki wrote:Theoretically the trip should be cheaper as there is less distance to travel.  

Time loading/offloading will dramatically be improved, and looks like you might even be able to get a coffee whilst waiting.  

All looks like win win to me.

Chook wrote:It will be a pleasure not having to navigate Melbourne's freeway system that always seems more like a giant parking lot

Chook wrote:And you are still only 2 hours from the terminal

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:And you are still only 2 hours from the terminal

Hmmn think about it, what it was originally in Adelaide and they moved it to Port Lincoln 

Chook wrote:

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:And you are still only 2 hours from the terminal

Hmmn think about it, what it was originally in Adelaide and they moved it to Port Lincoln 

Adelaide to Port Lincoln, 6.5 to 7 hrs, hardly comparable 

My point was, you're 2 hours away, I'm still over 8, although the last hour is going to be much easier now

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:And you are still only 2 hours from the terminal

Hmmn think about it, what it was originally in Adelaide and they moved it to Port Lincoln 

Adelaide to Port Lincoln, 6.5 to 7 hrs, hardly comparable 

My point was, you're 2 hours away, I'm still over 8, although the last hour is going to be much easier now

You're in a different bloody state of course it was always going to be a long trip for you 
But hey as long as it suits you better, fuck everyone else eh!

barry_mcki wrote:Is it any faster going via the Sorrento ferry for you Brian ? 

I know it would be more expensive, but given the price of toll roads I'm sure your State Government will soon even that up.

barry_mcki wrote:Is it any faster going via the Sorrento ferry for you Brian ? 

I know it would be more expensive, but given the price of toll roads I'm sure your State Government will soon even that up.

madmax wrote:The only thing going for it going that way is you get a rest on the ferry and you avoid the idiots on the road in Melbourne