Taking the ferry to Toronto Island is a popular local pasttime that only seems to devolve into chaos each summer as demand increases and ferry capacity remains unchanged.

On any given summer day, the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is packed with throngs of islandgoers waiting their turn to cram onto ancient ferries for the short harbour crossing, and this past weekend was no exception.

A handful of social media users shared images of the chaotic ferry queues on Saturday and Sunday.

Another banner weekend in Toronto as all the ferry crews go on break when the terminal is at it most packed. Next level management. pic.twitter.com/ROOoLS3MRQ

— Joshua Hind (@joshuahind) July 23, 2023

"Been working on the island for years and the service somehow seems to get worse every year," says one commenter. "Like, they implement changes that makes things worse, and then do more bad choices the next year. Mindmelting really."

@oliviachow @cityoftoronto the process at Jack Layton ferry terminal is an embarrassment for a city like Toronto. Huge mob of crowds with lack of crowd control to board ferries puts children and seniors at risk. Not a single city worker in sight to control crowd & order. Shame

— psb (@agentpsb007) July 23, 2023

During the current summer schedule, ferries depart the city for each of the three island docks at regular intervals, with the maximum wait for a Centre Island-bound ferry listed as 40 minutes.

@cityoftoronto
How is running the Toronto ferries every 40 minutes acceptable? We're like caged animals in the heat! Babies, elderly, and everyone else crammed in waiting for ferries that should run more frequently on the weekends! pic.twitter.com/LGTBaIz4RW

— Shana Albo (@shanaalbo) July 22, 2023

However, queues fill up quickly at the city-side terminal, and even a slight scheduling hiccup can cause absolute chaos.

That's an insane crowd. Have to be really desperate to go to the islands to muddle through that!

— Jared Conway (@JaredJConway) July 23, 2023

Even in the middle of a work week, the queue to board ferries at the terminal can grow to unbelievable proportions, as was witnessed this past Wednesday evening when passengers were forced to wait through another apparent service interruption.

All the people who had been waiting for a #Toronto Ferry who didn't get to get on one at Centre Island.
Pretty sure one was out of service, no notice, just random not showing up.
Sucked. pic.twitter.com/n4mnpgs6TV

— Jono (@jonovision_man) July 19, 2023

Crowded ferries and long wait times have been a hot topic this summer, and it's evident from the past few years of similar ferry troubles that the aging system is unable to meet demand.

The ferry terminal in Toronto is almost as out of control as Pearson Airport right now https://t.co/Q3sYYrVxkU #Toronto #TorontoFerry

— blogTO (@blogTO) July 4, 2022

A new all-electric ferry fleet is indeed on the way as the City transitions to all zero-emission vehicles. However, the new fleet will double down on the single-ramp boarding points used by current ferries — a move that's already drawing criticism.

Enjoy your EV replacement boats that, while increasing capacity, will still use a narrow single point to unload and load passengers.

— Urban Chaos Municipal Planner (@mousky1967) July 23, 2023

In lieu of new boats relieving the longstanding issue of ferry overcrowding, people have been sharing their own ideas to better connect the island and city-side ferry docks.

One controversial idea that's been discussed for decades is that of a fixed-link bridge to the island.

Really is time for a bridge.

— Peter Burnside @peterburnside (same other places) (@peterburnside) July 23, 2023

For now, many would-be ferry passengers are balking at the idea of packing into a queue and then a sardine-can-like boat to make the crossing.

"That's why I only take the ferry in the winter, and usually the first morning ferry at that," says one reply. "The rest of the time it's a water taxi. Minimal extra cost, come back for free on any ferry."

Others seem to agree with this approach to visiting the island, sacrificing some of their hard-earned cash to opt out of the ferry's crowds and wait times.