Man made to pay extra $230 for Jimny on Waiheke Ferry

What's the difference between a car and a truck? It's hundreds of dollars if you're taking the Waiheke vehicle ferry. The definition is central to a dispute over fares on the Sealink ferry, the only car ferry to the Hauraki Gulf island. Islander, John Stansfield said he booked his car on a crossing today and paid the car rate of $195 return. He drives a 660 cc Suzuki Jimny flat-deck, the makers describe it as a 4 wheel drive off roader. It's smaller than your average SUV or van, weighs less and is registered as a car. However, when he went to board, John said Sealink refused to carry him unless he paid an additional $230 for a commercial truck; total return ticket price about $433. John Stansfield said he needed to get to Auckland so paid, but said it's greedy behaviour and he's demanding a refund from Sealink. Stansfield spoke to Lisa Owen.