Some Interislander passengers say they are getting mixed messages about the fate of their sailings now that Aratere ferry is out of commission for the summer.
KiwiRail on Thursday stopped taking vehicle bookings for its Interislander ferries, although it says all existing bookings will be honoured on its other two ships and some foot passenger tickets will be available incrementally.
A propeller came off the Aratere near the Tory Channel on 5 November, leaving the vessel unable to carry passengers.
Interislander has said it doesn't expect the Aratere to be operating as a passenger service for up to six months, and if a new ship was leased, it would not be in service until at least mid-January.
One passenger, Kirsten Martin, said on Friday she has been told that her ferry on 12 January will sail as scheduled. However, she has also heard there is upheaval as the company works to rebook passengers and says she doesn't know what to believe.
"I don't have 100 percent confidence, which is what I would like, because our travel plans are fitting in with children that need to be in certain places at certain times the following day and all of that stuff. So, no I don't feel 100 percent comfortable."
The Interislander's general manager, Thomas Davis, said on Friday that existing passenger and vehicle bookings will be honoured and most passengers have been already moved to alternative sailings.
Mr Davis says the company has been contacting passengers directly and will continue to do so.
KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said all passengers already booked will be able to travel, but capacity on the Kaitaki and Arahura is low and there is little space for more passengers.
Mr Quinn told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme on Friday that, despite asking as many experts as he can find, KiwiRail has not yet been able to isolate the cause of the propellor failure. Until it does, the Aratere will stay tied up at the Wellington wharf.
He expects Cook Strait competitor Bluebridge will take more travellers over summer. Air New Zealand and Bluebridge say they are seeing some extra passengers but will not be putting on more services.
Impact on tourism
A Marlborough tourism organisation says the decision to close vehicle bookings for Interislander ferries will have an impact on the whole country.
Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston said visitor flow between the North and South Islands will be restricted.
"I think this is time for the industry to rally together and for us to get together with the transport operators and the ferry companies and just understand how we can minimise the impact to travellers over the summer months."
KiwiRail originally forecast that it would carry about 200,000 passengers and 55,000 cars during December and January, but now expects to carry only 140,000 passengers and 33,000 vehicles without an additional ship.
The company describes the Aratere as the workhorse of the fleet which carries out 38 crossings a week - 14 more than the Kaitaki and the Arahura would normally do.
Freight delay predicted
KiwiRail said the withdrawal of the ferry would cut its total Cook Strait capacity by 45%, while freight demand typically increases by 20% over the peak period until the end of January.
Freight company Mainfreight said the Aratere's removal from service could not have come at a worse time. Managing director Don Braid said the disruption is occurring close to its peak season and his company is working hard to try to find alternatives, such as coastal shipping.
"It couldn't have happened at a worse time, not just for freight but for passengers and vehicles as well, and I think KiwiRail acknowledge that. However, it's in front of us and we just have to work around it."
Mr Braid said KiwiRail has done a good job in trying to find alternatives for freight companies.
He said normal freight traffic will be able to get across Cook Strait but it will take longer. "Instead of allowing two to three days to get it to the South Island, allowing five to six days should see us be able to cover those peaks."
KiwiRail said Rail Freight has secured container capacity that will enable freight to be shipped to Christchurch. Coastal services will depart three times a week offering four- to five-day delivery and will be transhipped through its Southdown facility in Auckland.
