All aboard for the first ride on MV Tricia

• New ferry MV Tricia to take 60 lucky members of the public on her first-ever trip
• Third ferry in Transperth fleet, named after 62-year-old Perth Zoo elephant
• Register on Transperth website to win a ticket

A lucky 60 members of the public will be among the first to take a ride on Transperth's new ferry, the MV Tricia.

A ballot to win golden tickets for the inaugural trip, a special scenic jaunt on the Swan River on December 20, opened today.

The competition, which closes at midday on December 16, will give ballot winners a first look at the $2.6 million, 148-seat ferry.

Radio station 6PR is also auctioning off four seats to listeners on Gareth Parker's show. The money raised from this Friday's auction and collection tins on launch day will be donated to Perth Zoo to support its work to save wildlife and Radio Lollipop. Auction winners also receive a pass to Perth Zoo.

Following a well-supported public survey, the new ferry was named MV Tricia in honour of Perth Zoo's 62-year-old Asian Elephant.

The ferry was built by Dongara Marine at its Port Denison facility and will join the MV Philip Pendal transporting passengers between Elizabeth Quay and Mends Street Jetty.

To enter the competition to win a golden ticket, just register through this link.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"MV Tricia is the first Transperth ferry to be launched in 10 years and what better way to celebrate this than by inviting WA locals to enjoy her first journey."

"Transperth ferries are a crowd favourite and hopefully this continues as passengers enjoy using the MV Tricia on their way to visit her namesake at the Perth Zoo."

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:

"Perth Zoo's conservation work helps save wildlife right here in Western Australia and around the world."

"Perth Zoo is the only place in the world breeding the endangered numbat, WA's fauna emblem."

"Community donations also help extend the Zoo's work beyond their gates, helping to save wildlife all around the world. This includes supporting protection of orang-utan habitat in Sumatra and giving orphaned orang-utans a second chance at life, as well as caring for one of the last herds of Sumatran elephants in the wild."

"The first journey of MV Tricia is a great opportunity to raise funds for a good cause and for the WA public to be part of an exciting milestone."

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500
Environment Minister's office - 6552 5800