Robin Sandell

I’m now on Bluesky @urbanferryist.bsky.social

@BicycleAdagio @aussiewongm For every complex problem, there’s a simple solution which is wrong. Free PT fares may sound like a good way to achieve mode shift, but a better approach is to improve the service - and make car driving a less attractive option.

Free public transport in Victoria has been popular but has not been a decisive lever for reducing car dependence. Compared to NSW, where PT fares remain unchanged, the difference in modal shift has been modest rather than dramatic. #Echobox=1776145814" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">theconversation.com/victoria-has-m…

@syduncovered Connected to the Opal network from today!

This boutique ferry service is a great way to travel to and from the new Sydney Fish Market, combined with a scenic stroll along the Blackwattle Bay foreshore. The service runs 15-19 times per day, but is not part of the Opal network.

The "Me-Mel" ferry leaving Blackwattle Bay Wharf, on its way to Barangaroo via Pirrama Park.

Great news - with effect from today, you can now use an Opal card for the Blackwattle Bay ferry, with all the usual benefits.

@fictillius There are two reasons for not offering free public transport (1) lines which are at or close to capacity now will become useless; (2) if the Govt can afford to forgo $150m in fares each month, then that money would be better spent on service improvements.

Figures from Transport for NSW show free fares for trains, buses, light rail and ferries would cost the state government between $140 million and $160 a month in forgone ticket revenue. smh.com.au/national/nsw/w…

Sydney ferries are the most scenic public transit in the world, and it’s not even close.

@nazreddin @fictillius I think it’s an Australia Post thing - East Balmain became Balmain East; North Balwyn became Balmain North etc. Must make it easier to sort letters.

@fictillius This is a stupid name. The adjective (west) should precede the noun (Bays)

Sydney will get its first new inner city suburb – known as Bays West – in decades, giving public waterfront access to Glebe Island for the first time in more than 100 years alongside 8,500 new homes. theguardian.com/australia-news…

@vodimtenigranku He also won the semi-final the same way. And only progressed from the quarter final after the second placed competitor was disqualified.

O primeiro ouro olímpico de inverno da Austrália foi surreal como ocorreu 😭

Despite what you’ve heard, you can catch a ferry to the new fish market. Blackwattle Bay wharf is a 10 minute walk to the western entrance of the fish market building, with no road crossings (unlike Wentworth Park light rail station where you need to cross 2 busy roads)

@roodave Also affects berth plans at CQ - currently held off Wharf 4.

@roodave I experienced this today - Zoo ferry moves to 20 min headways on week-days in Jan, but connecting 238 bus remains on 30 min headways. Result was a missed connection.

After decades of incremental improvement in inter-moral transit connections in Sydney, for the month of January in each of the last three years TfNSW totally rearranges the Mon-Fri ferry timetable, breaking all connections

@roodave It’s actually better for headways to be shortened from 30 to 15 mins (not 20) from the point of view of maintaining connections

@UrbanFerryist Imagine trying to do that every day. disregard for/ poor treatment of year-long baseload revenue commuters.

@MikeCarlton01 We need @MarinaHyde to take a deep dive into this summer’s Ashes series.

A nice, observant piece by an English cricket writer. Hits the mark. theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan…

@Justabackup12 @holland_tom Well it was early in the day.

@UrbanFerryist @holland_tom Absolutely appalled at my fellow Aussies for letting session 1 fall not only behind BBL but behind the news?!

"It may be no surprise to see Australians taking cricket seriously, but it is an education to travel through a country where the game is so readily available and publicly embraced."" I too, on my travels, felt such emotions - wistful envy & regret. x.com/barneyronay/st…

@Arthur_Hinch @FredBoycott The fast ones are the more recent Emerald Class boats, which were intended to imitate the look of the original Alan Payne designed ferries.

@FredBoycott Saw that last week, and fast too.

Proper boat...

@FredBoycott Yes. Designed by Alan Payne, one of Australia’s best naval architects. He also designed the America’s Cup challengers Gretel and Gretel II in the 1960s.

@kanseshadri @parthpunter I’ve never paid much attention to what Haydos says.

@UrbanFerryist @parthpunter But isn't it a fact that ACB is worried about dwindling cricket followers at home? Haydos spoke about it on Sky podcast. ACB has always pushed for innovation, although that's a different story. My point was, indian fans do not question, they take whatever is thrown at them.

This photograph from the Ashes triggered a train of thoughts. The crowd walks into the glorious SCG to enjoy the presentation ceremony up close. That right there shows that the Australian cricket board cares about the fan experience. In India, the fans have to make do with crammed seats and expensive food. On the other hand, the fans, too, were civilised and respectful, and didn't jump their favorite players. They love their cricket more than they love their cricketers. The trophy was handed over by a cricket legend in Steve Waugh, not an administrator or a sponsor. The whole series, despite being a one sided affair, seemed like a proper celebration of the game. The broadcasting was top notch. Better angles, insightful analysis, and no cringeworthy fan boying over star players. I guess it all eventually boils down to whether you want to build a sporting culture or just mint revenue while pretending to care about the game. I know which side I'd rather be on.

@kanseshadri @parthpunter This is not true for Australia. Test match attendance over the summer was an all-time record. Cricket has always shared venues in winter with AFL or rugby league, which makes efficient use of capacity.

@parthpunter Different problems different solutions. Aus and Eng are struggling to bring fans to cricket. Aus is losing (sharing)their iconic cricket venues, to other sport which is why there are drop in pitches. Indian fans lap up anything and bcci doesn't HAVE to care about them

@KyleArmstr30319 @PurpleHerring1 @TheBarmyArmy Victimhood syndrome will be the death of English cricket.

@PurpleHerring1 @TheBarmyArmy It’s all they do. Live in delusion. Cry about everything. Never win anything.

Same old Aussies… #Ashes

@fictillius If there were timed transfers at Barangaroo wharf 1 between the F3 Parramatta River ferry and the fish market ferry, then that might work, but this might be operationally hard to achieve in practice.

@fictillius I’m not convinced of the value for Sydney residents of a ferry line to the fish market. Where will their journey originate? - not many from Barangaroo. Most will take a train to Central and transfer to the Light Rail (which will run much more frequently than the ferry).

Sydneysiders and tourists will have to wait at least a year before ferry services to the new $836 million fish market begin because a wharf has yet to be built, placing pressure on existing transport services and limited car parking. smh.com.au/national/nsw/y…