Transperth's new ferry was launched in style this morning, with a lucky group on board for MV Tricia's first passenger voyage on the Swan River.
The MV Tricia was named after Perth Zoo's popular 62-year-old Asian Elephant following a community survey.
The new vessel's first journey was a special extended trip, passing iconic Western Australian landmarks such as the Bell Tower, Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium from the water.
Transperth ran a competition to win one of 30 double passes for community members eager to join the experience, while 6PR auctioned off four seats to its listeners.
The money raised from the auction and collections on the ferry today will be donated to Perth Zoo and Radio Lollipop.
Community donations help Perth Zoo care for more than 1,500 animals at South Perth and support local and global conservation projects, including protecting the habitat for one of the last herds of Sumatran Elephants in the wild.
Radio Lollipop is a children's charity which supports WA kids in metropolitan and regional hospitals, with a view to making hospital a less scary place for them. In 2020 Transperth will be celebrating 25 years collecting funds for the charity through various initiatives including its Uniform Free Day in March.
The $2.6 million, 148-seat ferry was built by Dongara Marine at its Port Denison facility and will join the MV Phillip Pendal transporting passengers between Elizabeth Quay and Mends Street Jetty. The MV Shelley Taylor-Smith, Transperth's third and oldest ferry, will be predominantly used as a reserve and during special events.
The MV Tricia will go into regular service from this afternoon.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"MV Tricia is the first Transperth ferry to be launched in 10 years and what better way to celebrate this than by inviting WA locals to enjoy her first journey.
"December 22 marks a year since I announced Dongara Marine would build the MV Tricia and they have delivered a ferry that locals and tourists will enjoy travelling on for years to come.
"Transperth ferries are a crowd favourite and hopefully this continues as passengers enjoy using the MV Tricia on their way to visit the Perth Zoo.
"Naming the ferry after Tricia the elephant reflects just how important Perth Zoo and its animals are to the WA community.
"We look forward to welcoming many more visitors from WA and abroad to Perth Zoo and hope they start their adventure by riding the MV Tricia across the Swan to South Perth."
