FERRIES to and from Parramatta have been declared safe by the new consortium that will take over the network but there is now a push for it to improve services.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced last week that the companies Transfield and Veolia Transdev had been awarded the contract worth $800 million over seven years.
Ms Berejiklian said the government would retain ownership of the ferries and "full control over fares and service levels".
Speculation on the future of Parramatta routes grew after a report to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal suggested $13 million could be saved by slashing off-peak services along the river.
Chief executive of the Harbour City Ferries consortium Steffen Faurby said it would be up to Transport for NSW to decide if services would be cut.
"Our instructions from the government are to focus on the entire ferry network as is," he said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman confirmed the new private operator had been contracted to run the existing timetable.
"This process is about improving public transport and expanding services where they are needed most, not cutting services," she said.
Parramatta lord mayor Lorraine Wearne said the council would consult with the new operator to improve the ferry routes.
"My view is the Rivercats are too big for the river and that may have to be looked at and sections of the river will also need to be dredged," Cr Wearne said.
"The operators could also improve the type of service offered to commuters, because they currently don't stop at all the right places."