It was once labelled one of the worst public transport services in the country, but Auckland's Gulf Harbour ferry service is back to a full schedule of sailings from today, after years of frequent cancellations and reduced timetables. Ferry crew shortages meant many commuters were stuck with hours long replacement buses or even taxis, taking them the 50 kilometres by road from Auckland's CBD to the Whangaparaoa peninsula. Then last year Auckland Transport proposed canning the service altogether, prompting backlash from the community and a petition to keep it running. Now it looks like the service's problematic past is behind it, but as Luka Forman reports, it'll take time and effort to win back the trust of locals.
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