A plan to execute two totally electric passengers between the center of Vancouver, Bowen Island and Gibsons for 2027 is one step closer to the officials of the city of Vancouver announced motions to accelerate the use of the land in Harbor Green Dock .
On Friday, representatives of the three levels of government enthusiastically supported the plan of Greenline Marine Inc., which has been in process for two years.
“An option that draws the roads from the road, relieves congestion in the upper levels [Highway] And connects Bowen Island residents with the continent and continental visitors with us are very late, “said Bowen Island Andrew Leonard mayor, flanked by two commissioners from the Vancouver Park Board, a city councilor, A green MLA and liberal deputy.
Leonard cited the difficulties created for his community this week after the Ferry service was cut.
Greenline aims to execute two high -speed ferries, only electric, only for passengers between docks in Bowen Island, Gibsons and the Vancouver coal port, where there will be load infrastructure.
Three round trips are planned between Vancouver and Bowen Island, with a 40 -minute navigation time. Four round daily points are planned between Vancouver and Gibsons, with a 70 -minute navigation time.
The company’s head said the project will cost around $ 60 million, it has viability studies completed with funds through BC Hydro and will benefit from the Fiscal Credit of Clean Technology of Ottawa.
“This is a super exciting project,” said Callum Campbell, founder of Greenline. “Greenline has the impulse and experience to do this.”
Campbell is a naval architect who has designed and built car transators for clients in North America. Before Greenline, he worked for the province as director of Ferries Inland.
“We are not building rooms. We are not building terminals,” he said about the plans for the coal port. “We are there to serve people. They will erase the ferry while the Ferry charges, and then we will run.”
Campbell said his company has been compromising in the three communities and with the first nations. It has a financial partner, and the ship’s design has been completed by Naval Architect Firm BMT. There will be space in the ferry for 20 bicycles and four wheelchairs.
Once operational, Greenline hopes to sell 1,000 tickets per day, which according to the proponents would reduce 500 car trips of the BC Ferries destinations and finally save travelers around $ 20 per trip.
“An electric passenger ferry could help Vancouveritas navigate beyond congestion in the center’s peninsula, reducing vehicle traffic in the center and relieving congestion, improving air quality, softening sound pollution and contributing To the climate objectives of the city, “said Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Blight.
Commissioners of the Blight and Park Board. Brennan Bastyovanszky and Laura Christensen are bringing joint motions to the Board of the Council and the Park at the end of the month that will seek that the personnel discover how the Green Port dock can accommodate the ferries of the Green Line.
“Harbor Green Dock has been a vital part of the Vancouver coast, but its potential has never been fully performed,” Bastyovanszky said.
“That is why the Park Board is assuming an active role in the exploration of how this public asset can support sustainable and low carbon transport while maintaining its recreational value.”
Blight said the Ferry service, once it operates, could generate up to $ 1 million in income for the park board.
If done, the Greenline Ferry service would be the second passenger ferry service to operate in Coal Harbor.
In August 2023, Hullo Ferries began managing a high -speed ferry service between Vancouver center and the center of Nanaimo.
