CityCats out of action during peak, with commuters to be dropped off at nearest stop

Brisbane ferry passengers will be dropped of at whichever stop is closest at 8am on Friday, with CityCat workers to take strike action for two of the service’s busiest hours.

The strike comes as part of wider industrial action that will run for the week – through to Friday, August 7 – that will include cancelled services and ticketing equipment not being available.

Negotiations between the Australian Maritime Union and the boats’ operator, RiverCity Ferries, have fallen over, with unionists claiming they have been forced to take action.

Services between 8am and 10am will be cancelled, with the vessels to progressively come back online after the action.

Signs posted by the council at terminals across the city say ferries will stop running at whichever stop they are closest to at 8am, with commuters urged to plan ahead to get to work on time.

“From 10am the services will resume progressively, with some delays expected while the network returns to normal,” the signs read.

The Translink app is also displaying a warning about the action.

A union spokesperson said 95 per cent of its members had voted against adopting the company’s latest pay and conditions offer.

“RiverCity Ferries won’t even match the Fair Work Commission’s own 4.75 per cent annual wage review increase or keep pace with inflation, claiming it is ‘not viable’ – all the while its parent company Kelsian Group’s own financial reports show substantial increases in revenue and profit,” the statement said.

“The company’s CEO, executive leadership team and board have all received significant increases to their pay packages while our highly skilled and committed members that deliver the company’s service to the Brisbane public every day are being asked to accept an offer below inflation.”

A RiverCity Ferries spokesperson said they were disappointed services would be disrupted.

“We have been bargaining with the unions and employee representatives since October 2025 and remain committed to negotiating in good faith towards a fair and sustainable enterprise agreement,” they said.

“Our priority is to maintain safe and reliable ferry services wherever possible and minimise disruption to customers. We are working closely with Brisbane City Council and Translink to communicate any service impacts and to restore services as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads said TMR is working with Brisbane City Council and RiverCity Ferries to minimise customer impacts.

“This is a matter between RiverCity Ferries and their employees, and we encourage them to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”

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