River cruises start up
By Rhonda Dredge
The temperature was dropping, the drizzle was about to start and there had been just three passengers on a boat that carries 80.
Yet ticket-seller for Melbourne River Cruises Steven Michalas wasn’t complaining.
The popular cruise boats are back and operating along the Yarra.
“We’re the only company that’s re-opened,” Steven told Southbank News, and in the circumstances, that’s big news.
The company has six boats moored along the riverbank and is monitoring custom.
The 11am cruise on the Spirit of Melbourne travelled up the Yarra to Herring Island on a very quiet Friday in July.
After several sunny days the temperature had dropped to 11 degrees, putting off the city’s potential passengers apart from three.
“I’m warm enough,” Steven said. “I’m wearing a thick coat.”
As businesses come to terms with the economy and the worsening weather, Melbourne River Cruises is confining its operations to operating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We opened on a Monday but closed again when there weren’t many people around,” Steven said.
It mightn’t be a party waiting on the dock but staff are supported by JobKeeper payments and there are no hard-luck stories to be found here.
“I’m at work. I’m okay.” •

Livestock trial commences through Citylink tunnels
