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East by West Ferries is looking at a new service between Petone and Wellington City.

A ferry service between Petone and Wellington is being promoted as a way of reducing peak-hour traffic.

East by West Ferries managing director Jeremy Ward believes Petone Wharf is a realistic option for a ferry.

His company is in the process of buying a third ferry and is looking at a range of options throughout the harbour.

An incident last week where a truck broke down on State Highway 2 gridlocked traffic throughout the Hutt Valley.

READ MORE:
* Truck causes traffic mayhem
* Earthquake closes favourite fishing spot
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Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace said the impact from the incident was "unbelievable" and reinforced his view that better public transport needs to be improved between Lower Hutt and Wellington.

He is planning to talk to police, the New Zealand Transport Agency and the regional council to explore ways to avoid a repeat of the gridlock.

Using Petone Wharf is one option he wants to explore.

The council is currently looking at the future of the wharf, which is closed due to earthquake damage.

Refurbishing it has been priced at $4.7 million and replacing it at $8.2m.

East by West ran a six-month trial about a decade ago using Petone.

Ward said it identified several issues for commuters. "Because it is such a long wharf, if it was raining you were drenched before you got to the ferry."

Petone faces south and in a southerly the ferry takes a hammering. Setting a price for such a short trip was difficult when it was competing with buses and trains.

Until the wharf was closed because of earthquake damage, the ferry stopped there at weekends as part of a cruise around the harbour.

Ward agrees with the Wallace that there is need to promote public transport to get vehicles off State Highway 2.

"I have always personally thought that Petone is a goer but we just had to wait for the market. With the congestion, that time might be coming soon."

If the wharf is repaired or modified, he would like to see a berth created nearer to shore.

Reducing how long commuters are exposed to bad weather would make it much more attractive, he said.

 - Stuff