Push for Bolte punt

Push for Bolte punt

By Niccola Anthony

A bicycle punt between South Wharf and NewQuay at the Bolte Bridge has been proposed by the operator of the Westgate Punt.

Westgate Punt managing director Rob Horner presented his plan to the September 19 Docklands Community Forum.

He says a Bolte punt could ease commuter congestion around Melbourne’s inner south and inner west areas.

The Bolte punt route would run from Lorimer St under the Bolte Bridge across the river to a low landing at Ron Barassi Snr Park, with an option for a stopover at another landing at the end of North Wharf Rd.

Mr Horner has been working on the idea for a Bolte punt for about five years.

Westgate Punt already provides a cyclist-and-pedestrian ferry across the Yarra under the Westgate Bridge between Spotswood and Fishermans Bend and attracts around 35,000 passengers a year.

“A Bolte punt would connect the entire Docklands community. At the moment, everywhere you go, you’ve got to turn around and walk back,” Mr Horner said.

“By putting in a little pedestrian ferry that takes passengers between Ron Barassi Park and South Wharf, it could create a link between all of those points.”

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