[duffo]

The SeaBus connects the downtown core of Vancouver to a dense suburb along a route which is significantly shorter than the best road connection.

This is also why the Dartmouth Ferries work in Halifax, why the Thames ferries work in London, why the river ferries work in Manhattan, etc. These routes cross bodies of water in ways that significantly shorten the journey geographically.

In Toronto, the only commute distance where you really get this advantage is between Ookwemin Minising and downtown. The Islands aren't a commuter destination, and any other route would take you laterally along the shortline, rather than across a body of water. (Meaning you aren't saving any geographic distance, and the ferry therefore ends up being slower and more expensive than a land-based service.)

First of all, Ookwemin Minising is a construction site with a nice park and is definitely not a commuter destination. Second, a ferry can definitely be faster than other forms of transit, even laterally, because it does not sit in traffic.

 

[McGillicuddy]

First of all, Ookwemin Minising is a construction site with a nice park and is definitely not a commuter destination. Second, a ferry can definitely be faster than other forms of transit, even laterally, because it does not sit in traffic.

First of all, construction sites aren't supposed to stay construction sites. It is appropriate to talk about future land use in the context of transit planning.

Second, taking the SeaBus as our benchmark, it takes the SeaBus about 15 minutes to travel 3.25 kilometres, unload, and load. That makes for total average speed of about 13 kilometres per hour, which is actually slower than the Finch LRT as it operates today, a service which most commentators consider fatally dysfunctional. Many TTC bus routes manage 20 kilometres an hour or better, even accounting for stops and terminal turnarounds. So, no: you can't take for granted that ferries are going to beat buses, let alone subways.

 

[Dr. Snoot]

Just an FYI this is a pilot and there are plans for more service/stops if it proves successful.

I'd actually like to see a route from the Portlands to the Island. Sometimes im in the Portlands and want to go to the Island and realize what a trek it is to get downtown when you're literally next to Wards.

View attachment 727396

Aside from "usefulness", this seems like it would be fantastic for tourists, especially when Ontario Place and the parks on Ookwemin Island are completed.

You get to see Toronto from the water, go to the Island, have lunch on the Waterfront, see the new Ontario Place or go to the spa. I'm very interested how pricing and frequency will work.

 

[crs1026]

London, Oslo, Venezia, Lake Como, Copenhagen…. The list goes on. Great cities and great harbours have vaporetti.

- Paul

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

London, Oslo, Venezia, Lake Como, Copenhagen…. The list goes on. Great cities and great harbours have vaporetti.

- Paul

There should be no comparison to those cites with this, as it's a complete joke and a waste of money by waterfront Toronto. We don't need this right now as there is nothing for people to get to with it that they can't already get to, except for some park with a name that nobody knows how to pronounce in an area still under consturtion.

 

[Dr. Snoot]

There should be no comparison to those cites with this, as it's a complete joke and a waste of money by waterfront Toronto. We don't need this right now as there is nothing for people to get to with it that they can't already get to, except for some park with a name that nobody knows how to pronounce in an area still under consturtion.

Why are you so weirdly negative about this? It's a pilot project. If it works it works, it it doesn't it doesn't.

 

[mrgrieves]

I don't think many people posting looked into the details of this . The purpose of the pilot is to "test the feasibility of expanded water-based transit across Toronto's Inner Harbour."

"The East-West Water Shuttle Pilot emerged as a recommendation from the Sea Bus Feasibility Study, which outlined a phased approach to testing and implementing expanded east-west focused water-based transit similar to other major waterfront cities. This summer’s pilot will serve as a first step to better understand ridership demand, operational requirements, and service performance on Toronto’s waterfront."

The Portlands are expected to be a major residential area and, as we know, a lot of private and public money is being pumped in to Ontario Place.

 

[kev1n1m]

I'm surprised that they hired a private company to do this.

I wonder if the ferry operators union approved this? It takes away from their role in operating the Ferry service.

This competes in zero ways with the ferry service. They likely agreed to avoid the islands entirely for that very reason.

 

[kev1n1m]

Why are you so weirdly negative about this? It's a pilot project. If it works it works, it it doesn't it doesn't.

I use the ignore button liberally. Esp for that person.

 

[mrgrieves]

This competes in zero ways with the ferry service. They likely agreed to avoid the islands entirely for that very reason.

It seems like this is meant to serve commuters, like Vancouver north shore seabus. Whereas Toronto Islands is for recreational users and is highly seasonal.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

Why are you so weirdly negative about this? It's a pilot project. If it works it works, it it doesn't

Simply, it's not something that we need, so why waste money on a study for it?

 

[Dr. Snoot]

Simply, it's not something that we need, so why waste money on a study for it?

In your opinion, based on zero concrete information, which I think you've voiced a half-dozen times now.

 

[TRONto]

At this point, why would the pilot connect to Ontario Place. I agree that Humber Bay would be very useful and potentially the busiest stop if the service is fast enough,

 

[rdaner]

At this point, why would the pilot connect to Ontario Place. I agree that Humber Bay would be very useful and potentially the busiest stop if the service is fast enough,

OP gives access to BMO Field and LV.

 

[McGillicuddy]

At this point, why would the pilot connect to Ontario Place. I agree that Humber Bay would be very useful and potentially the busiest stop if the service is fast enough,

I can think of at least two reasons:

1. Because nobody at Ontario Place is going to complain about frequent, slightly noisy ferry service. (Whereas, at Humber Bay, you've got several condo towers, plus the usual trouble of people who think that public parks should be for their exclusive personal enjoyment, and that any amenities that might draw in other people are an affront to nature itself.)

2. Because there aren't a lot of tourists and out-of-town visitors going to Humber Bay.