The Interislander's latest performance review shows its on-time performance and reliability are improving but it's still falling short of its targets.
It comes after what's been described as a 'horror year' for the Cook Strait operator.
In the past year, Newshub has heard from a number of passengers who've been left stranded by cancelled Interislander ferries.
"We had to make several bookings over the last two weeks just to get back," one said.
"So far, we've spent about $1200 in accommodation just to stay here," another added.
The Cook Strait operator has had to navigate several major issues this year including in January, when its Kaitaki ferry lost engine power and was forced to issue a mayday call.
"They've had a very bad run and we know thousands of passengers and freight customers have had a bad time with the Interislander," said Public Users Association national coordinator Jon Reeves.
However, in the Interislander's latest review by KiwiRail it found performance is actually improving. The report said the Interislander's on-time performance has increased to 83 percent, a 10 percent jump on the previous year. It also found the service's reliability is now up to 87 percent.
The Interislander said that's because it's increased its focus on maintaining its aging fleet.
"Which is great to see obviously there is room for improvement, but they are taking this issue seriously," Reeves said.
But the Interislander's reliability is still well short of KiwiRail's 98 percent target.
"Transporting NZ and our members are actually really disappointed and frustrated by the current levels of service," said Transporting NZ interim chief executive Dom Kalasih.
Interislander said it continues to take a safety-first approach and will continue to enhance the reliability of its aging fleet until the new ferries arrive in 2025.
