Toronto’s ferry service to Ward’s Island is facing yet another setback in what has shaped up to be an ongoing series of crowding, operational, and mechanical challenges.
At the time of this article’s publication, Toronto’s ferries are still out of service due to ice buildup that affected service on Sunday.
“The captain ran a few safety trips this afternoon to determine the safety condition, unfortunately ice buildup on the lake is still unsafe for transportation,” the City said in a statement.
The fire boat that’s typically used to create a pathway for the ferries during icy weather is also down for maintenance, which has delayed the return to regular service. For now, those looking to reach the islands can access bus services, which are scheduled for every hour and available from Ward’s Island and Billy Bishop Airport.
While the City’s ferry fleet carries more than 1.4 million passengers annually, its current ferries are between 61 and 114 years old, which is well beyond the average industry lifespan.
Back in September, the almost 90-year-old William Inglis ferry experienced a mechanical issue and subsequently drifted into the wooden slip at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Although paramedics and Toronto Police’s marine unit were called to the scene, no injuries were reported.
Toronto Island ferry slams into dock in another worrying incident for aging fleethttps://t.co/OoCFhtQ9oy
— blogTO (@blogTO) September 6, 2024
The aging ferry was immediately removed from service, and a City spokesperson announced that a thorough investigation into what occurred would start immediately.
This high-profile incident followed the August 2022 crash, which involved the Sam McBride ferry and resulted in 20 injuries. The passenger ferry was carrying six crew members and approximately 910 passengers when it struck the dock while berthing at the Jack Layont Ferry Terminal.
Six of the injured passengers were transported to hospital, and the vessel and the dock also sustained damage. A subsequent investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) found “several safety deficiencies” but said that the age of the ferry was not a factor in the collision.
Still, these noteworthy incidents have resulted in increased calls for the City to replace its aging fleet, and luckily, there is a solution on the horizon.
In October, the City awarded Dutch company Damen a $92 million contract to build two new fully-electric ferries. According to the City’s website, the first ferry is anticipated to be delivered in late 2026, with a second ferry arriving in early 2027.
