New ferries could help beat long lines to Toronto Island, but are still years away

July 22, 2024 Canuck

After another weekend of summer heat and massive lines waiting for the Toronto Island ferry, Mayor Olivia Chow says residents looking to beat the heat should find things smoother once new boats make their way to the city — but that won’t happen for at least another couple of years.

Speaking at an unrelated news conference Monday, Chow said she understands it can be difficult to wait in long lines for the ferry, especially with kids in tow.

“I get it, over the weekend my grandkids were also lined up and I heard that it’s hard,” she said.

Three of the city’s ferries are currently running to shuttle people back and forth to the popular summer destination, alongside one replacement ferry.

However demand is outstripping supply, with some reporting long lines this summer.

This is the current lineup to get on a ferry to the Toronto Islands. It extends out of the ferry terminal and around the block.<br><br>It’s time to build the bridge! <a href=”https://t.co/Z9BdfAxJW0″>pic.twitter.com/Z9BdfAxJW0</a>

—@AprilEngelberg

Chow said Monday that city officials know two new ferries are needed and have been talking about the need for several years. The city began preparations to buy replacement boats in 2015, with city council changing the specifications of vessel design a number of times, leading to cost escalations.

“Every time it came close to getting the contract out there, it got pulled back,” Chow said.

A key committee at city hall recently approved the purchase of two new ferries to serve Toronto Island at a price tag of $92 million. If approved by city council, those boats — which are larger than those in the current fleet — would replace aging ferries that currently serve the island park’s 1.4 million annual visitors.

WATCH | Toronto councillor pushes for bridge to Toronto island:

Councillor pushes for bridge to Toronto island

27 days ago

Duration 2:30

The city plans to spend millions of dollars over the next decade to improve access to Toronto island, and one councillor wants that to include construction of a new pedestrian bridge. CBC’s Shawn Jeffords has more on Toronto’s 25-year plan for the island.

“It will take a bit of time to get the new [ferries] into the City of Toronto,” Chow said. The new vessels are to be delivered in late 2026 and early 2027.

City council has also passed a motion asking city staff to examine feasibility of a pedestrian and cycling bridge to the island from the eastern gap of the harbour. That report is expected back early next year.

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