Bowen, Ambleside, Waterfront trial one year away
Frank Luba
Province
A TransLink test of a new SeaBus route is coming within the next 12 months, according to the chairman of the Lower Mainland transportation authority.
Speaking yesterday at the Urban Transportation Forum in Vancouver, Doug McCallum revealed that a pilot project is planned for the run from Bowen Island to Ambleside in West Vancouver and then on to Waterfront Centre.
TransLink had initially identified 24 potential ferry terminals from Snug Cove to Belcarra and Jericho on a variety of routes. The list was pared down to four routes, with the Snug Cove to Ambleside to Waterfront in Vancouver being judged most viable.
“We’re sort of in the preliminary stage,” said McCallum, a long-time booster of marine transit. “We have to look at a lot better water taxis, a better use of waterways, instead of looking at water as a hindrance in our area.”
A TransLink report on ferries is critical of the economics of such a project. The operating cost of a 100-passenger boat is four times that of a standard transit bus, but the passenger carrying capacity of four buses is 80 per cent higher than a ferry.
The cost of one such ferry is about double the cost of four buses, with the cost of operating ferry service to “require several millions of dollars to be spent on upgrading terminals.”
The resurfacing of another SeaBus was a surprise to West Vancouver Mayor Ron Wood.
“I’m encouraged but I thought they pretty well walked away from it,” said Wood. “I would like to see it, even on a seasonal basis.”
He’s not the only one in favour of expanding marine transit.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said TransLink staff were directed to take a closer look at the plan.
“The economics were a little stretched in the situation, but it makes a lot of sense,” said Brodie, pointing to the example of Sydney, Australia, where the harbour is used effectively by marine transit.
“In Richmond, we want to be using that same concept to have a similar pilot project to go from Richmond to Delta and back.”
A seasonal ferry between Ladner and Steveston, for instance, would be popular.
Maple Ridge and Langley will lose the Albion ferry when TransLink opens the Golden Ears toll bridge, but Maple Ridge Mayor Kathy Morse still thinks a ferry would be useful because of the future opening of a West Coast Express station at the Albion landing.
Ferries would also provide a margin of safety in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, which would shut down bridges.
“There needs to be some thought given to how we’re going to get around under emergency conditions,” said Morse.
© The Vancouver Province 2005