11 April 2007
TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, operators of the Spirit of Tasmania
Bass Strait ferries, announced details of four key initiatives
today.
They are:
- A winter sale offering half price seats and cabins off full
adult passenger fares for travel between 1 May and 31 August.
- Vehicle capacity on both vessels will be extended by 60
vehicles per sailing thanks to work being undertaken by Tasmanian
firm Taylor Brothers to cover a section at the rear of deck five on
both ships. The work is underway and scheduled for completion
by the end of 2007. This will add capacity for an additional
40,000 passengers between the peak Christmas and Easter
periods.
- As foreshadowed in the Government Business Scrutiny Committee
meeting, passenger and vehicle fares will increase effective 16
April.
- Removal of cruise seats and conversion of the area into a
cinema. Movies will be shown free of charge in the cinema to
further enhance entertainment for passengers travelling on either
vessel.
Chief Executive Peter Simmons said the company had invested
considerable time to identify ways to control costs and increase
passenger numbers.
"Increasing vehicle capacity on both vessels and encouraging
people to travel when otherwise they would not by offering
discounted fares are two ways we can increase passenger numbers,"
he said.
"For example, we expect that the winter sale will generate solid
demand for sea travel between Tasmania and mainland Australia which
then benefits the tourism industry.
"While Spirit of Tasmania is not in a position to compete with
the discount airlines on price, we can introduce attractive offers
that encourage people to travel with their car and as many pieces
of luggage as they want."
Mr Simmons said while controlling costs would continue to be a
key focus, the company had reached a position where it needed to
share cost increases experienced over the past 12 months with its
customers.
"Potential passengers planning to travel with Spirit of Tasmania
could book at the current fares until 15 April," he said.
"Passengers with existing bookings would not be affected by the
increase."
-ends-
Released by:
Nicolas Turner
Tel: (03) 6270 2250 or 0418 538 865
Spirit of Tasmainia
