SeaLink has confirmed it will raise Great Barrier Island residents’ fares from 1 October, just as the island heads into its busiest travel season.
Current advertised pricing shows a return sailing for two adults and a car at just under $1,200 before the residents’ discount. In 2020, the same trip cost $614 — a 92 per cent rise in five years.
SeaLink provides travellers who can prove residency on Waiheke or Aotea, Great Barrier Island with a 20 per cent discount on the list price, but it is not clear how that scheme will change in October.
The company emailed residents on 8 September, citing wharfage fees, compliance, maintenance, and operating costs as reasons for the increase. SeaLink said it had “absorbed as much cost as we can.”
AoteaGBI.news asked the company to confirm the size of the increase, whether it applies immediately to bookings for October travel onwards, or if the new pricing takes effect on 1 October.
SeaLink said responses would be provided “end of day” Tuesday and then “first thing” Wednesday. By Thursday, three days after the initial request, no figures had been supplied.
