Auckland commuters have demanded change to the troubled ferry service to Waiheke Island.
Locals say Fullers management means reduced services, long queues and cancelled ferries. Newshub has been told that on one day last week, 100 passengers were left behind on the wharf.
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At a fiery public meeting on Sunday afternoon, the restless crowd was keen to have their voices heard while people protested outside.
"I'm a midwife and often the ferries I catch to go to work are often cancelled or late," one person said.
"The service from Fullers is getting worse and worse and more and more expensive," another said.
Local board chair Cath Handley says the standoff is the worst she's seen.
"I commuted for 13 years but it was nothing like this, but in the last few months it's been diabolical."
Things are so bad, Auckland Councillor Chris Darby has started a petition calling for Fullers to fall under the same regulations as other Auckland public transport.
The ferries to Waiheke and Devonport are the only two in Auckland not looked after by Auckland Transport.
Auckland Transport says it's keen to take over the ferry services. It says the move would make it easier to coordinate timetables and ensure prices are fair across Auckland. But it will require legislative change.
Fullers has issued an apology and says it's open to change.
"We did write to the Minister advocating and supporting the review of the exempt situation," a spokesperson says.
There's no word yet from the Government, but the community's desire to see the monopoly lifted has been made crystal clear.
Newshub.
