[1] In 2011, the NSW government decided to contract out ferry services to the private sector.

In May 2012, Harbour City Ferries was announced as the successful tenderer to operate the services on a seven-year contract starting 28 July 2012.

[7] As of December 2016[update], Harbour City Ferries employs more than 650 people and its fleet consisted of 32 vessels.

[12] 3 Emerald Class Ferries entered service in 2021 however were briefly withdrawn in 2022 due to multiple steering failures.

Three of seven new Parramatta River-class ferries have been introduced with the rest expected to enter service in 2024/2025.