Brisbane City Council explores alcohol service trial for CityCat ferries

The Brisbane City Council is considering a trial to introduce licensed bars aboard the CityCat ferry fleet. The proposal involves 10 new-generation double-decker ferries, which represent approximately half of the current fleet servicing the Brisbane River.

The council aims to emulate services seen in other cities, such as Sydney’s Manly Fast Ferry. While no exact timeline has been established for the licensing proposal, the operator, Kelsian Group (via its local arm RiverCity Ferries), already provides licensed cafe services on other routes in south-east Queensland.

The move comes amid rising patronage, with data showing weekend ferry trips have increased by up to 50 per cent following the introduction of fifty-cent fares. However, ferry workers remain involved in an ongoing industrial dispute with RiverCity Ferries involving strikes and work bans since July.